TIL using a borescope works way better than feeling around blind

I used to just stick my hand into tight spots on PT6 engines to check for loose hardware or cracks. Did it that way for like 4 years since I started at the hangar in Denver. Last month my lead handed me a cheap scope from Snap-on and told me to actually look before I start poking around. Now I can see stuff in 5 minutes that used to take me 20 minutes of guessing. Has anyone else switched to using scopes more for inspections on turbine engines?

2 comments

2 Comments

calebrivera19d ago

Dude I was the SAME way, I honestly thought borescopes were just for fancy lab guys and not worth the hassle for daily inspections. Then I borrowed one from a friend to check a stubborn oil leak on a PT6 and it showed me a hairline crack in like 2 minutes that I'd totally missed with my fingers. Now I'm a total convert, it's night and day how much faster and more accurate the job gets.

ivan87319d agoMost Upvoted

Right, cause nothing says "I'm a real mechanic" like fishing around blind for a crack with your bare fingers. That's a classic move. Guess I've been doing it wrong this whole time, using my actual hands like a caveman. Now I gotta go buy a $500 snake camera to find my feelings of shame.