I thought those cheap fiber optic inspection scopes were junk until one saved a job

For a long time, I figured the $80 fiber optic scopes you see online were just toys. I stuck with the big, expensive shop unit. Then, on a job in Phoenix last month, we had a suspected broken fiber line deep inside a wing root on a regional jet. The shop scope wouldn't fit in the access panel. A guy on the crew pulled out his personal cheap scope. I was sure the image would be garbage, but we got a clear look at a clean break about three feet in, confirmed it, and swapped the line. Saved us probably half a day of guesswork and removing panels. It's not my main tool, but I keep one in my bag now for tight spots. Has anyone else found a surprisingly useful tool they initially wrote off?

3 comments

3 Comments

tylerr2929d ago

So the expensive shop scope is basically the overqualified intern that can't fit through the door? I love when the cheap tool you make fun of ends up being the exact right thing for the job. It's like the universe's way of telling you to stop being such a tool snob. Now I'm wondering what other junk in my bag might secretly be a hero.

rosew3728d agoMost Upvoted

Exactly! The universe loves to humble us with our own cheap junk. I've got a bent screwdriver in my bag that's saved me more times than any fancy tool. It's the ugly little things that get the job done.

henry10110d ago

Remember my buddy's old tape measure with the busted lock? That wobbly thing got him out of a jam when the fancy digital one just died.