Hangar Wishlist (what's in your hangar?)

[A64Pilot]

First thing you need in my opinion is lights if your going to work in there.

There are many to choose from, I think I would look at cheap LED strip lights that plug into each other in a daisy chain and just hang them from the roof.

[KSMooniac]

x2 on the lights!  If you plan on working in there, you cannot have too much light!  Especially with non-reflective surfaces... I've got cheap harbor freight LED fixtures hanging from the ceiling in my big rented hangar, and supplement with Milwaukee battery powered work lights.  After many years in my rented hangar, I kinda wish I would have cleaned and painted the floor before moving in, even though it was not my hangar.  My neighbor did that and I'm envious... and I have far too much crap in there now to do it in this lifetime.  (Plus I plan to build my own in the next 0-3 years)  

If you plan to do owner-assist annuals in your hangar, plan to get jacks and an engine hoist.  Sooner than that, provisions for oil changes and enough tools to allow you to do what you're comfortable with.  Don't forget safety wire and pliers, spark plug tools and anti-sieze, torque wrenches, etc.  This year I added television and an OTA antenna to complement the stereo system.  (I put the antenna on scrap plywood, and put it on top of the hangar when I'm out there for the weekend, so it is not a full-time/permanent installation)

Almost 17 years into ownership, and I've accumulated a few work benches, tool boxes, storage shelves and cabinets, aircraft hardware collection, a scrap Mooney, etc and I'm now over-full.    I can't wait to build my own and get more room to acquire more clutter.  

[Fly Boomer]

Scott's suggestions gave me another idea:  Befriend another pilot who has all these things, but is about to die or retire from aircraft ownership.  Many people who have a nice collection of specialized tools (or spare parts) inherited them from someone else.

[dkkim73]

3 hours ago, Fly Boomer said:

Scott's suggestions gave me another idea:  Befriend another pilot who has all these things, but is about to die or retire from aircraft ownership.  Many people who have a nice collection of specialized tools (or spare parts) inherited them from someone else.

Not a terrible idea. I inherited toolboxes and good machine tools from a beloved grandfather-in-law (WWII vet and former Boeing machinist). Reloading supplies from an older gent with whom I just started talking while picking up used parts, etc. Drive-by discussions, etc. 

I wouldn't even have a hangar space now if I didn't tend to follow up introductions. Esp. with all the great insight and experience in older pilots. I have a prejudice, probably a bit curmudgeonly, that really values the older pilots I've run into. e.g. my AK instrument instructor. Generally a gracious group that just wants to see GA survive and thrive. 

FWIW also good to offer resources to neighbors... maybe a good intro to tool-sharing? Lord knows I can never equip everything I want. 

Man, this thread makes me want to find a way to buy my own hangar. 

[Pasturepilot]

We’ve got a couch mounted on a metal chassis with castering wheels. You can roll it into sunlight or shade, as desired, and easily move it out of the way when it’s time to go fly. 

[glbtrottr]

Let’s see….

I’ve got a full kitchen. Wifi. Air compressor. Two welders. A magneto checker, sandblaster, mill, break, shear, sandblaster, two ceiling beam hoists, drill presses, band saws, three sewing machines, AN bolt and rivet cabinets, powder coating oven, 2000sq ft of storage, bathroom, shower, televisions, tool boxes, safes, a dog run, parking spaces, trash bins nearby, cameras, a tire shelf, pneumatic and electric tools, my old paramedic kit, a wing rotisserie, a conference table, two pilot rest and recharge rooms, 480v power, and a massive generator that powers the whole airport and my shop as well….


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[Pasturepilot]

5 minutes ago, glbtrottr said:

Let’s see….

I’ve got a full kitchen. Wifi. Air compressor. Two welders. A magneto checker, sandblaster, mill, break, shear, sandblaster, two ceiling beam hoists, drill presses, band saws, three sewing machines, AN bolt and rivet cabinets, powder coating oven, 2000sq ft of storage, bathroom, shower, televisions, tool boxes, safes, a dog run, parking spaces, trash bins nearby, cameras, a tire shelf, pneumatic and electric tools, my old paramedic kit, a wing rotisserie, a conference table, two pilot rest and recharge rooms, 480v power, and a massive generator that powers the whole airport and my shop as well….


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Now I know where I want to break down if I have to ask a favor. 

[glbtrottr]

Now I know where I want to break down if I have to ask a favor. 

Come on down


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[Pinecone]

First thing I put in was shelves.  Two tall stacks and two short ones (that act as a work bench).  I added an air compressor, small fridge and some folding chairs.

Mine has lights and had one quad outlet.  I had an electrician put in outlets at each wing tip and one in the center back.

[larryb]

Good lighting. I had a single dim bulb like that. I asked for and received permission from the airport to upgrade to LED lighting. I used 3 high power UFO style LEDs.

[ZuluZulu]

On 12/19/2023 at 5:16 PM, Fly Boomer said:

Scott's suggestions gave me another idea:  Befriend another pilot who has all these things, but is about to die or retire from aircraft ownership.  Many people who have a nice collection of specialized tools (or spare parts) inherited them from someone else.

“Alright, first question for you: any chance you might be planning on dying soon?”

[A64Pilot]

Buy some office chairs, the kind with wheels from Goodwill.

[Fly Boomer]

On 12/23/2023 at 4:30 PM, A64Pilot said:

Buy some office chairs, the kind with wheels from Goodwill.

Someone around here uses an office chair with arms to support the lower cowling when removing it solo.

[A64Pilot]

41 minutes ago, Fly Boomer said:

Someone around here uses an office chair with arms to support the lower cowling when removing it solo.

I don’t know who else but I do.

I keep thinking I need to try the bungee trick, but keep forgetting. I think it would work better than the chair. I’ve got one of those Da** mechanics stools on wheels that slides out from under you if you just lean in the thing. I need to throw it away, an overturned bucket would be better than that thing.

[Fly Boomer]

1 minute ago, A64Pilot said:

I don’t know who else but I do.

I keep thinking I need to try the bungee trick, but keep forgetting. I think it would work better than the chair. I’ve got one of those Da** mechanics stools on wheels that slides out from under you if you just lean in the thing. I need to throw it away, an overturned bucket would be better than that thing.

I haven’t tried it but I thought the office chair idea sounded promising.  I have had my eyes peeled for a hydraulic lift table too.

[A64Pilot]

Lift table would probably be out of my price range, but I’m hoping to find a good wheeled cart to put things on as they are removed. Every now and again people age out or die and there is a hangar sale. I want some jacks, I made some out of pipe stands but they need work

To add to the wish list, a Big as in 48” or so floor fan, mine came from home depot, and just the opposite, some form of heat. I have two of the kerosene heaters that look like a jet engine and sound like a blast furnace. a little one and a big one, Leave quite a bit to be desired but the bigger one puts out a huge amount of heat and will heat the whole hangar. I run Jet-A in the thing, seems to stink less. I’ve been told ULSD burns clean too, but am hesitant to try because the old Diesel didn’t and would ruin one.

I only use it a few times a year as the real cold days in Fl you can count on your fingers. I define cold as below freezing, I know others think that’s warm.

 

[PeteMc]

2 hours ago, Fly Boomer said:

Someone around here uses an office chair with arms to support the lower cowling when removing it solo.

I was thinking of getting a low load but long arm Shop Crain that I could put some straps on.  Figured there would be less chance of dropping it off the chair.