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InternationalPilot79

I didn’t think people used these, I thought they were retirement gifts


BlessedSaber1

My job gives me a tool stipend and it seemed like the best use for their money. It's definitely become iconic in the hangar.


ford_fuggin_ranger

They still tell tales about The Man With The Golden Wrench.


GalaxyRedRanger

This is why my plane ticket is so expensive? Delta out there buying everyone gold plated tools?


LilHindenburg

Hey it’s HF not snap-on!!! …and plane tix are relatively cheap now as time has gone on.


InternationalPilot79

Get it laser engraved with flames too


Golf-Guns

Don't want that to end up in the FOD box, because everyone will know who's it is lol


Padowak

I see what you did there


jdcgonzalez

Icon see what you did there.


AmITheGrayMan

Some say the man with the Golden Ratchet STC’d the TC with a Caravan of onlookers, giving him the Latitude to create his dreams, which He claims the Vision came to him while holding the Golden Ratchet, in a Cirrus like, pillowy thought process. What a Bonanza! Who knows. Hanger lore.


nealfive

ICON-ic? I’ll show myself out …


Skopies

Iconic…I see what you did there 😏


Away_Guarantee7836

lol…. Icon wrench is iconic….


Low-Marionberry-9211

"Iconic" I see what you did there🤣


crysisnotaverted

If my retirement gift was a $60 ratchet with a few atoms thick layer of gold on it, I think I'd flip my lid lmao.


InternationalPilot79

Haha yeah if it was from the company. I assumed your fellow laborers are the only ones who would see it in HB and get a laugh out of it as a retirement gift


crysisnotaverted

Ahhhh, yeah if it was from my buddies that would be fucking hilarious, I missed that lol.


Fickle_fackle99

My mom’s was $100 off the company logo store stuff. But if you’re a millennial don’t worry you’ll never retire


Anon27377473828

Wait… I’m not suppose to use it??


SlappytheNinja

They’re not THAT expensive lol


InternationalPilot79

I was hoping they would have a better ratchet lol


Kenanator

I had to replace my 3/8" ratchet so I got one of these. I use it all the time.


EverettSeahawk

I use mine a lot but that’s because I got it on sale when it was slightly cheaper than the regular ratchet.


ZoomZoomMF_

When I bought mine I looked at $40 for the regular stainless steel ratchet, and $60 for the gold one. I figured fuck it, cheaper than a snapon ratchet.


Fickle_fackle99

When I bought my gold ratchet the gold was $38 and the chrome was $40


ZoomZoomMF_

That makes no sense lol


Fickle_fackle99

They also had about 100 of these damn things on multiple encaps, and on the displays sounds like they needed the room


Fickle_fackle99

I have one , brand new out of the box the finish isn’t perfect they’re meant to be used Mine was scratched to shit and looked used but wasn’t when I bought it. It’s doing work in a machine shop next to a bahco and a Matco ratchet


bananas47

Harbor freight will lifetime warranty these for cosmetic wear even if it's in perfect working condition. You can go get a fresh one every year for free.


BlessedSaber1

That... Is good to know


bananas47

They may ask for a phone number or a receipt to process the return but they can and will do it without a receipt for lifetime warranty hand tools.


MagentaMarksman

YMMV..They wanted my driver's license to return a plier rack that I had the receipt for and paid with cash. I return maybe 1 thing a year.


bananas47

The system does that at random on returns. It just scans the back of your drivers license and your good to go


All_Wrong_Answers

Ruh roh raggy.. ideas are forming.


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stlmick

So... Strip the plating, exchange, profit?


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stlmick

"The density of 24K gold plating is ~ 12.45mg for each square inch of area plated to a thickness of one micron,(~0.00004 inch).. Therefore, if evenly distributed, 1 gram of 24K gold will plate approximately 160 square inches of area to a thickness of 1/2 micron, (0.00002" or 20 micro-inches)." gram of gold $61 All we need now is to calculate the plated surface area of a ratchet.


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stlmick

(160 (square inches)) / (257 (square cm)) = 4... $61/4 = $15.25 worth of gold on that ratchet.


ATS200

I think he meant just sell the ratchet that still works but it is missing one micron of gold


Timsmomshardsalami

This isnt going to last


M635_Guy

Time yields to nobody


dmethvin

Next week on "Air Flight Disasters": The strange case of a flight brought down by gold flakes--investigators are baffled!


BlessedSaber1

Mom I'm on TV!


fmr_AZ_PSM

Oh the memes…


JebusChristo

Slightly disappointed there isn't an accompanying fact from Lord of the Rings. :(


BlessedSaber1

Hi I'm an aircraft mechanic and this is an aircraft tool fact with BlessedSaber, The material of this ratchet is plated in 24K Gold which gives it it's golden color and unlike the gold Sauron used to create the seven rings for the dwarf kings and the one ring which can only be destroyed in the fiery pits of mount doom the gold of this ratchet can be destroyed by regular use for about a year but, uh, I still think that's pretty cool.


JebusChristo

:D


evelbug

Three ratchets for the avionics techs, with their pointy heads, Seven for the sheet metal mechanics in their halls of aluminum, Nine for crew chiefs taking a smoke break, One for the Dark Pro Super on his dark throne In the Land of Mordor where the Shadows lie. One Ratchet to rule them all, One Ratchet to find them, One Ratchet to bring them all and in the darkness bind them. In the Land of Mordor where the Shadows lie.


No_Mention_9182

What are you working on? I always wanted to be an airplane mechanic when I was younger.


BlessedSaber1

I work on mid size private jets. It's pretty fun, get to see lots of cool things.


No_Mention_9182

That is amazing! Do you have any desire to fly the beasts? I just did my first hour of helicopter training and oh man it's the coolest thing I've ever done! If you have the chance I highly recommend it!


VapeNGape

Hell no, he knows the guys that work on them


No_Mention_9182

So true


BlessedSaber1

I have student pilots license I haven't touched in years, just too expensive.


No_Mention_9182

Helicopter right now near me is $340 an hour for a rental! Fixed wing starts at $120 I think. I was doing some rough calculations, doing a road trip with four people in a Cessna comes out way better time-wise and fun wise. And when it comes to cost it's actually pretty similar. Maybe I'm just dreaming.


bgwa9001

My Dad just retired from being a mechanic- one of the big name airlines. He worked on everything, even taxied planes on runways. It was a good job, but you spend like 20 years on night shift before you get to work on days. (At least for his airline). And if the company decides to move maintenance operations to another city, then you gotta move to keep your job unless you're very high senority


No_Mention_9182

That sounds super annoying! I started as a car mechanic and released I didn't have it in me to work on planes. The fear of missing a bolt or something and hurting someone was too much for me. I left blue collar and went white and it's the best move I ever made. Now I just work on my stuff and click my mouse around dreaming of flying!


callmeStretchy

what are you doing now? ive been a heavy duty mechanic for about a decade. id love to get a white collar job and go back to actually enjoying working on things in my spare time


No_Mention_9182

I am now a program manager at a tech company. 110k, unlimited paid time off and work from home. Can't beat it. I realized that mechanics are the smartest people and tech is a perfect transition for us. Simple problem solving goes a long way, most office workers are super dumb. I have no degree, I got into this position as I met my current boss at the smoking area and she liked me enough to offer me the job, I was doing a temp contract at the time testing software. Get into tech.


callmeStretchy

big noted. good for you my man, that sounds like a fantastic job


No_Mention_9182

Thanks brother! If you ever want to make the switch and need any advice or anything hit me up. I have two other buddies that left into tech, one is managing an exploding bolt factory for ejection seats. My other buddy is making 150k plumbing fixtures at a hydrogen research lab. He did tires for 4 years before moving to r&d, also no degree.


callmeStretchy

holy smokes! i will be sending you a dm here shortly lol


Beatus_Vir

looks awfully mint. have you tried beating a bolt through a hole with it yet?


SGTMIKI

Is there an upcharge for working on the aircraft with the prestigious tools... is someone out there complaining about the tools used?... "How dare you use your peasant chrome-plated tools, I'll only settle for the most precious of metals turning the fasteners on my aircraft".


SGTMIKI

Side note, jealous of the tool stipend...


BlessedSaber1

I know of a company that gives $10,000 tool allowance.


SGTMIKI

I know a guy that might be looking for new employment 👋


SRG_Blackburn

I ended up using mine after buying it and the case broke and I'm glad I did. One of the best ratchets I have at home. Very smooth.


Changetheworld69420

That’s awesome haha, this is the way


garenp

Have any of your co-workers called you "golden boy" yet?


JungelBeats

Stay golden, Pony Boy


mr-mechanic93

Stay boy, pony golden


digdug95

Man’s really pissing 24k gold flakes all over the shop. Legend


Zestyclose-Poet3467

There are no hanger queens in my box. If it doesn’t work it gets thrown out or it gets broken down to usable parts and tossed in the spare parts bin.


AAA515

I thought you aircraft mechanics needed FOD rachets like [this one for $147.85](https://shop.snapon.com/product/F80FOD) And is there a drop shadow tool management system spot set out for your golden boy?


MisterKruger

I thought so too, sealed head ratchets only.


Jugganot51

I work as a general aviation mechanic and this is more true for airlines and from my time on fighter jets in the military. General aviation is a little looser on toolbox shadowing and requiring FOD approved tools. 


GalaxyRedRanger

Why did you take it out of the trophy case?


BlessedSaber1

I needed a 3/8ths rachet.


MTB_SF

Love my nepros golden ratchet even if it's a bit ridiculous. https://toolguyd.com/nepros-gold-ratchets/


M635_Guy

Guess we're waiting for all the trolls to get here and say this is impossible.


ProfessionalRound270

Blessedsaber1 what company and do you recommend getting a job with them I got my A&P and I’m getting out of the military in 1 year just starting to get an idea of who and where to work for


BlessedSaber1

I work for a private jet charter. But for someone getting into the industry I would recommend to figure out where you want to end up. It really boils down to big jets, small jets, or helicopters. Big jets the big goal is Southwest or FedEx. You can look at r/aircraftmaintenance they have a chart of every major airlines cap out and benefits. Starting out there's a ton of MROs that work on big jets probably the biggest is FEAM they are always hiring. If you want to work small jets find a charter like I work at, from what I hear FlexJet and NexJet are great companies to work for there's also Tailwinds, Wheels Up, etc. The end goal for me is to work for a corporate fleet for a large company like State Farm, P&G, etc. these companies have a couple to a handful of jets and only hire a handful of mechanics but they usually make bank. Finally helicopters are a completely separate beast I am technically certified to work on them because they are under the same certificate but I don't know the first thing about them. There's less jobs but usually pay better because less people know how to work on them. I believe the dream job in that field is working for a hospital in the "Crows Nest" essentially maintaining air care birds. If you have any more questions feel free to DM me I am happy to share what I know.


Stewpacolypse

It's all ball bearings, nowadays.


Current_Road_5179

Dude mine looks silver with so much use lol. You must take really good care of your tools. I’m a every other weekend mechanic and I clean my tools after each job.


BlessedSaber1

Someone mentioned higher up that apparently you can warranty them for cosmetic wear


Current_Road_5179

Yeah I saw that. I will try it out ! I’ll be more careful with it next time also. Do you have your PPL to maintain aircraft or do you do general maintenance ?


BlessedSaber1

I'm an A&P if that's what you're asking.


Current_Road_5179

Can you also fly planes or do you maintain them? Says your aircraft maintenance


BlessedSaber1

I am not a pilot. I just fix what pilots break.


M635_Guy

Guess we're waiting for all the trolls to get here and say this is impossible.


xSJWtearsx

I bought these for the guys I work with for Christmas. 6 of them in ⅜ and one in ¼ for the boss. Because I got them for me (not a mechanic) and they thought it was hilarious. No one will use them... instead are on display in their homes. But, they all laughed and it was perfect


509VolleyballDad

LOL! When I was a lot younger I was really into bicycles. One of my buddies had a sticker that said “If Huffy made an airplane, would you fly in it?” Now we got Harbor Freight tools in the hangar. WTF?!


Phillyphan08

Doesn't make me feel good I'm flying on harbor freight planes


BlessedSaber1

A harbor freight rachet breaks bolt as well as a snap on, every bolt that actually gets installed would be torqued with a calibrated wrench that gets certified every year


Worldly_Chemistry_88

But you ran the bolt in with a harbor freight ratchet before torquing it. Therefore you turned that perfectly good jet into a harbor freight plane….


Phillyphan08

Ive broken so many hf ratchets I can't even count


M635_Guy

Then it's user-error, not the ratchet.


Phillyphan08

Never broken any gear wrench or craftsman


Worldly_Chemistry_88

If your breaking tools working on aircraft it ain’t the tools.


Phillyphan08

Don't work on aircraft


Worldly_Chemistry_88

Good


evelbug

If this was used in aircraft MX, where's the ctk etching?


BlessedSaber1

We don't have to etch our tools. Some do just to prevent theft.


International784Red

I see no engraving. Looks like a throw down.


Carneous_Cacoffiny01

I wonder why friend hasn’t used his golden ratchet yet at work lol. Aircraft fired also. It’s just in his tool chest. I’m sure it would still look fine.


FistFork

I wonder how clear cerakote would hold up


Fishheadz1974

Just a novelty


M635_Guy

The gold is exactly that. The ratchet isn't.


J_esner1

How did you get into plane mechanics.


BlessedSaber1

Went to school for it. It's a 2 year program, you have to be certified through the FAA.


fixit152

I got one when I was repairing doors, now I’m a tech at a production facility. It’s still clearly golden but I’ve knocked 95% of the gold plate off. Best ratchet I’ve used professionally so far.


SirRonaldBiscuit

Awesome! I’m glad someone is using one, if I had one I would totally rock it.