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Enjoy the little things, like adding air to the tires

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Bill Strahan

Joined: 20 Aug 2008
Posts: 145

Posted: Tue Jan 28, 2014 9:31 pm Post subject: Enjoy the little things, like adding air to the tires

Yep, sometimes the little things make a difference.  First, let me show a picture of my "minimum travel kit"



The ratcheting screwdriver on top has a screw off cap and holds several bits in the handle.  Flat head, small phillips, 1/4" drive for the sockets.  It also has a set of screws and washers for the matco brakes in there as well as the star drive for the screws in case I have to remove a wheel while on a trip and I break one of the little screws.



Below that is my set of sockets, and the 3/8" socket is removed because it relates to the subject of adding air to the tires.  More on that later.



Next is my valve stem extension.  Originally the end that screws onto the stem was free to turn.  Epoxy and flox took care of that, as you can see.  The extension normally has a valve stemp cap on it, but it's removed and separate in this photo.



Next is my socket extension, and finally in the bottom left corner is a handy 1/4" socket drive that is meant to be used with thumb and fingers.  It's tiny, and super useful.  My wheelpants sit low and are a tight fit.  For the bottom screws I can put a 5/16" socket on that thumb drive, put a phillips bit in the socket, and I have a very short ratcheting screwdrive for that purpose.



Now, back to the tires.  There is a lot written about determining where to put the hole in the wheelpants, so I won't reiterate that here.  I'll just add that it is well worth the time to find a way to mark the tire sidewall with a bit of paint so you can tell when the valve stem is lined up with that hole without having to peer into it while moving the plane.  



So, get the valve stem lined up with the hole in the wheelpants.  Put the 3/8" socket on the socket extension, slide it through the hole and onto the valve stem cap.  Unscrew the cap (It should have just been finger tight) and pull it back while trying to keep it in the socket.  Set that aside.



Take the valve stem extension and slide it through the hole in the wheelpants and thread it onto the valve stem.  You'll have an easy time of it if you try to duplicate the angle at which you were holding the 1/4" drive extension.  Once it's finger tight you can check tire pressure and add or remove air.  When done, reverse the process.



I keep the valve stem cap on the extension in case I ever lose a cap while doing this away from home.



So, nothing earth shattering here, but having a defined process and plan for the little things makes them go quick and easy.

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N1BZRich(at)AOL.COM
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Posted: Wed Jan 29, 2014 11:59 am Post subject: Enjoy the little things, like adding air to the tires

Hi Bill,

     Thanks for the input.  Looks like a good "tech  tips" item for the next (and last) newsletter that I will write.  Dennis  Wilt will take over then - probably just after Sun N Fun.  

 Blue Skies,

 Buz

  

  In a message dated 1/29/2014 12:32:11 A.M. Eastern Standard Time,  bill(at)gdsx.com writes:

  	  Quote: 	
		  -->    Lightning-List message posted by: "Bill Strahan"    <bill(at)gdsx.com>



Yep, sometimes the little things make a    difference.  First, let me show a picture of my "minimum travel    kit"



The ratcheting screwdriver on top has a screw off cap and holds    several bits in the handle.  Flat head, small phillips, 1/4" drive for    the sockets.  It also has a set of screws and washers for the matco    brakes in there as well as the star drive for the screws in case I have to    remove a wheel while on a trip and I break one of the little    screws.



Below that is my set of sockets, and the 3/8" socket is removed    because it relates to the subject of adding air to the tires.  More on    that later.



Next is my valve stem extension.  Originally the end    that screws onto the stem was free to turn.  Epoxy and flox took care of    that, as you can see.  The extension normally has a valve stemp cap on    it, but it's removed and separate in this photo.



Next is my socket    extension, and finally in the bottom left corner is a handy 1/4" socket drive    that is meant to be used with thumb and fingers.  It's tiny, and super    useful.  My wheelpants sit low and are a tight fit.  For the bottom    screws I can put a 5/16" socket on that thumb drive, put a phillips bit in the    socket, and I have a very short ratcheting screwdrive for that    purpose.



Now, back to the tires.  There is a lot written about    determining where to put the hole in the wheelpants, so I won't reiterate that    here.  I'll just add that it is well worth the time to find a way to mark    the tire sidewall with a bit of paint so you can tell when the valve stem is    lined up with that hole without having to peer into it while moving the    plane.  



So, get the valve stem lined up with the hole in the    wheelpants.  Put the 3/8" socket on the socket extension, slide it    through the hole and onto the valve stem cap.  Unscrew the cap (It should    have just been finger tight) and pull it back while trying to keep it in the    socket.  Set that aside.



Take the valve stem extension and slide    it through the hole in the wheelpants and thread it onto the valve stem.     You'll have an easy time of it if you try to duplicate the angle at which you    were holding the 1/4" drive extension.  Once it's finger tight you can    check tire pressure and add or remove air.  When done, reverse the    process.



I keep the valve stem cap on the extension in case I ever lose    a cap while doing this away from home.



So, nothing earth shattering    here, but having a defined process and plan for the little things makes them    go quick and easy.





Read this topic online    here:



http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.php?p=417807#417807





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