TIL using one size speed handle for everything was slowing me down

An inspector at Tulsa Air Center told me I was fighting my own tools after watching me struggle to reach a cowling fastener with a regular speed handle. He handed me a right-angle speed handle and I finished that job in half the normal time. I always figured one trusty tool would cover all situations, but that one piece of feedback made me rethink my whole box. Now I carry three different speed handles for tight spots and it's saved me at least 20 minutes on each line check. Has anyone else had a tool recommendation from a coworker that completely changed your workflow?

2 comments

2 Comments

fox.jesse1mo ago

Oh man, that right-angle handle changed my whole game too. An old-timer at the hangar saw me twisting like a pretzel trying to get at a firewall bolt and just handed me one without saying a word. Now I've got a stubby and a long one in my box, and I don't touch the regular one unless I've got clear sailing.

the_lucas1mo ago

@fox.jesse how long did it take you to really get comfortable using the stubby in tight spots? I grabbed one last month but still catch myself reaching for my regular ratchet out of habit, even when I know better. Trying to break that muscle memory is way harder than I expected.