Watching a guy at the Oshkosh airshow fix a transponder with a paperclip made me rethink my whole kit

I was stuck on a Garmin GTX 345 that wouldn't power up, and this old timer just bridged a test point with a bent paperclip to prove the board was getting voltage. Now I keep a few in my bag for quick continuity checks before I even grab the multimeter. Anyone else have a weird 'field expedient' tool they swear by?

3 comments

3 Comments

jenkins.richard29d ago

Worry about that paperclip trick. It works until it slips and shorts something you didn't mean to touch. I fried a good board doing something similar years ago. Now I carry a set of proper jumper wires with insulated clips. They cost a few bucks and prevent a very bad day. The old ways aren't always the best ways.

anthony_fox29d ago

Man, I feel that in my soul.

shane_williams2d ago

Used to think those little hacks were genius until I watched a friend's project smoke right in front of me. Totally get where anthony_fox is coming from, that feeling hits hard. Now I keep a few proper tools in my bag too, it's just not worth the risk. Learned the hard way that saving five minutes can cost you way more time and money.