The tool belt [Figure 6-3] is one of the most useful items
the rigger can have. Most tool belts are custom built by
the riggers themselves and include a selection of tools
that are frequently used around the loft. It always seems
that the tool the rigger needs at a particular moment is at
the other end of the packing table or on another sewing
machine. The use of a tool belt makes riggers more efficient
as they are not always looking for and having to
retrieve their tools. A well-designed tool belt will hold
the following tools as a minimum: scissors, thread snips,
6-inch ruler, marking pencils and pens, butane cigarette
lighter, seam ripper, Exacto® knife or scalpel, and fingertrapping
needles. Other tools can be added according to
the tastes and needs of the individual rigger.
• Seam ripper—A small tool used in the sewing industry
for “picking” stitches and ripping out seams. It has
a pointed sharp end and an inside cutting edge for
slicing through thread. [Figure 6-4]
• Hemostats or clamp—Tools used by riggers for many
clamping or retrieving operations. This tool was originally
a medical device for clamping off veins and
arteries during surgery. Two or three sizes should be
obtained as well as both straight and curved models.
[Figure 6-5]
• Scalpel or Exacto® knife—A tool used for delicate
cutting of materials or thread. The Exacto® knife is
preferred as the handles come in various sizes and
with a wide selection of blades. [Figure 6-6]
• Thread snips—A tool used in the sewing industry for
trimming or “snipping” thread when sewing. Handier
and easier to use than scissors as the point is finer and
allows more precise cutting of the thread. The
ergonomic design takes some getting used to, but
proves superior in the long term. The stainless steel
models are best, but some riggers prefer the plastic
ones, which have replaceable blades. [Figure 6-7]
• Butane cigarette lighter—A tool used for burning
thread ends to seal the thread and keep stitches from
raveling. It is also used for searing tapes, lines, and
light webbing. [Figure 6-8]
• 6-inch stainless steel rule—A tool used for making
fine measurements during work. At a minimum, the
scale should read to 1/16 inch and have a dual
(English/metric) readout. Certain models have one
rounded end. This model can be used for removing cut
stitches from work by rubbing the rounded end against
the thread thereby lifting it and making it easier to
remove. [Figure 6-9]
• Fabric marking pencils and felt tip markers—Tools
used for marking webbing, tapes, and fabric. In particular,
Dixon #134s are used in the parachute industry.
Other types have been found to contain abrasives and
compounds that, when used on canopy fabric,
weaken the material. This particular brand of pencil
has been found to have minimal effect on the fabric.
Various colors such as white, yellow, and red are useful.
Fine point felt tip markers are used for marking
certain materials, such as Dacron® or Spectra® line,
which do not show the Dixon markers. Black, red,
and blue are most common. [Figure 6-10]
• Scissors—A tool used for cutting all types of materials
used in the parachute industry. A high-quality
scissors is lightweight, ergonomic, and comes in
right-hand and left-hand models. [Figure 6-11]
• Finger-trapping needle—A tool used for inserting
suspension line into a “finger-trap” configuration.
They are actually a heavy-duty threaded needle
commonly called a “fid.” Plastic ones are available
commercially, but the best ones are custom made
from stainless steel or aluminum knitting needles.
Cut to length, they are then drilled and tapped with
screw threads in the flat end. The size 2, 6, and 8
needles are the most popular for the current line
sizes. [Figure 6-12]
• Finger-trapping wire—A tool used to finger trap line
too small to use a needle on. It is made from a wooden
or plastic dowel with a wire loop made from safety
wire. [Figure 6-13]
• Packing paddle—A tool used for dressing the pack
of the parachute when packing. This tool is made
from either wood or aluminum. The MIL-SPEC paddle
has rounded ends and is 1 9/16" x 12" long and
tapers in thickness from 1/4" to 3/16". The wooden
commercial paddle is 1 3/4" x 15" long. [Figure 6-14 (A)]
• Packingfid—A tool, similar to the packing paddle,
used also for dressing the parachute pack and tucking
in flaps. The fid is approximately 1 9/16" x 8"
long and tapers from 1/4" to 1/8". It is made from
aluminum and was originally a U.S. Navy tool.
Many riggers have both the fid and the paddle, but
usually develop a preference for one or the other.
[Figure 6-14 (B)]
• Pull-up cords—Tools used to “pull-up” the locking
loop of parachute containers when closing and pinning
them. They are made from lengths of suspension line
or Ty-3 tape. [Figure 6-15]
• Locking pull-up cord—A tool used to lock the thickness
of a two-grommet reserve deployment bag when
packing the reserve canopy. Made from 72 inches of red Ty-3 suspension line and a size 94 Cordlok nylon
fastener. May be used on one-pin or two-pin reserve
bags. [Figure 6-16]
• Molar strap—A tool used to control the folded
reserve canopy prior to inserting it in the reserve free
bag. Made from Ty-8 webbing and a Camlok nylon
buckle. The webbing should be at least 48" long and
brightly colored to serve as a flag against leaving it on
the canopy. [Figure 6-17]
• Temporary locking pins (temp pins)—Tools used to
secure the pack in the temporarily closed condition prior to inserting the ripcord pins. All pins should have
long, brightly colored flags attached for recognition.
[Figure 6-18]
• Velcro® line protectors—Tools used to cover the
hook Velcro® on the line stow pocket of reserve free
bags during the line stow process. They are made from
pieces of 1" loop Velcro® with Ty-3 tape flags
attached. [Figure 6-19]
• Closing plate—A tool used for closing one-pin containers.
Made from 1/4" aluminum with a “v” shaped
notch for pulling the closing loop up through the pack
flaps while compressing the container. [Figure 6-20]
• T-bar positive leverage device—A tool used to produce
a “cranking” action to wind up the pull-up cord
thereby increasing leverage when closing the container.
It must be used carefully as it is possible that too much force can be applied, damaging the container
or creating too much force on the pin. [Figure 6-21]
• T-handle bodkin—A tool used primarily for closing
container systems that have external pilot
chutes. A minimum of two is needed for the tool kit.
[Figure 6-22]
• Pilot chute threading tool—A tool used for threading
the pull-up cord through a one-pin pilot chute. A .22
caliber gun-cleaning rod works well. The best is a U.S.
military surplus M-16 cleaning rod. It is made from
steel, as opposed to aluminum, and breaks down into
sections and a package that is 8" long. [Figure 6-23]
• Pilot chute locking rod—A tool used to hold the
reserve pilot chute such as an MA-1 compressed on the pilot chute launching disc. It is a tempered steel
rod approximately 18" x 3/16". [Figure 6-24]
• Line separator (suspension line holder)—A tool
used to keep the suspension lines of the canopy in
order while pleating. Made from aluminum with three
“fingers” and two slots. [Figure 6-25]
• Connector link separator tool—A tool used to separate
military style connector links, such as MS-22002
and MS-70118. Military P/N 11-1-176. [Figure 6-26]
• Shot bags—Tools used to hold the canopy and suspension
lines in place while folding. Packing weight
made from nylon fabric and filled with lead shot for
weight. These should be brightly colored to prevent
leaving in the parachute. Weight varies from 2-5
pounds according to needs. A minimum of four is
needed. [Figure 6-27]
• Seal press—A tool used for compressing lead seals
when sealing the parachute under 14 CFR, section
65.133. The die of the press has the rigger’s seal symbol
engraved in the face for identifying the seal.
[Figure 6-28]
• Lead seals and seal thread—Components used with
the seal press to seal the parachute, usually 3/8"
diameter. The thread is used to seal the parachute in
accordance to 14 CFR, section 65.133. A cotton
thread, usually ticket 20/4 with a tensile strength of
4.7 pounds. Also used as safety tie where required.
[Figure 6-29]
• Rigger’s logbook—A logbook used by riggers to meet
the record keeping requirements of 14 CFR, section
65.131. [Figure 6-30]
• Packing data card—A card used to fulfill the record
keeping requirements of 14 CFR, subsection 65.131(c)
that is normally made of Ty-Vek® material and is kept
with the parachute. [Figure 6-31]
• Note pad—A pad used for recording miscellaneous
information or making sketches when working on
parachutes. [Figure 6-32]
• Rubber bands—Bands used for stowing suspension
lines, bridles, or static lines. Three sizes are common
today. Besides the normal 2-inch size, there is a
smaller 1-inch size for the newer microline and a larger
one used for tandem parachutes. [Figure 6-33]
• Hand tacking needles—A variety of sizes of straight
and curved needles used for general sewing are necessary
for every tool kit. [Figure 6-34]
• Straight and T pins—Tools used when doing canopy
patches to pin the fabric together. The T pins are used
for heavier duty work such as container repair. [Figure
6-35]
• Navy end tab—A tool used for assisting in hand tacking
thick materials. This is a container end tab from a
U.S. Navy seat pack, modified with a “dimple.” The
dimple allows the needle to be pushed through the
material, and the holes in the tab allow gripping the
needle to pull it through. [Figure 6-36]
• Waxed nylon “supertack”—Cord used for hand tacking
requirements because it has superior knot holding
properties. It is a waxed, flat, braided nylon cord that
serves as a modern replacement for 6-cord nylon.
Typically 80-90 pounds tensile strength, a 50-pound
version is also available. This cord is available in black
and white. [Figure 6-37]
• 3-cord cotton thread–waxed—Thread used for hand
tacking and break tacking on the risers and connector
links of emergency parachutes. Its tensile strength is
16 pounds. The color is usually natural. [Figure 6-38]
• Tape measure—A tool used for general measurement
of items such as suspension lines and bridles. A good
quality tape measure at least 25 feet long is necessary. If possible, get one with dual measurements
(English/metric). [Figure 6-39]
• Shoulder strap hook—A packing assist device used
to apply tension to the pull-up cord using upper-body
strength thereby freeing both hands to pin the container.
[Figure 6-40]
• Pony clamps—Tools used for clamping material to
hold it as a third hand. Also used as a packing assistant
when packing square reserves. [Figure 6-41]
• 6-inch adjustable wrench—A tool used for tightening
Rapide® links and other jobs. A good adjustable wrench serves in place of several different sized
wrenches. [Figure 6-42]
• Screwdriver–Multi-tip—A tool used for L-bar
connector links and general use. A good quality
screwdriver with interchangeable tips is the most
versatile model. [Figure 6-43]
• Needle nose pliers—A tool used for heavy-duty gripping
and pulling such as for needles in webbing.
[Figure 6-44]
• Cable cutters—A tool used for cutting stainless steel
cable and trimming the 3-ring release cable to length.
A good quality cable cutter such as the Felco™
model C7 cuts the cable cleanly. Electricians pliers or
diagonal cutters flatten the ends of the wire. [Figure
6-45]
• Ripstop roller—A tool used for applying ripstop
tape for canopy repairs. It removes air bubbles and
wrinkles. A standard wallpaper roller works well.
[Figure 6-46]
• Beeswax—Wax used for waxing 6-cord nylon or any
regular thread for hand tacking. [Figure 6-47]
• Spring scale and fabric testing clamps—The spring
scale is used for measuring the ripcord pull force on
reserve and emergency parachutes. With a minimum
rating of 50 pounds, it is also used in conjunction with
the fabric testing clamps to measure fabric strength or
reserve canopies in accordance with Parachute
Industry Association (PIA) TS-108. [Figure 6-48]
• Hot knife element with cutting tip, basting tip, and
stand—A tool used for cutting and searing synthetic
materials such as nylon, Dacron®, and Spectra®. The
basting tip is used for fusing canopy material in place
prior to sewing during canopy repairs. The stand is
necessary to keep the hot elements from causing a fire.
[Figure 6-49]
• Hot glue gun—A tool used to replace staples and
hand basting in harness work. This modern tool has
changed harness repair and construction techniques.
[Figure 6-50]
• Tension board assembly with apex tiedown—A tool
used on the round packing table to apply tension to the
canopy when packing. There are two models available.
One is for military style L-bar connector links and
another, smaller one for Rapide® style connector links.
The straps should have a quick release feature to
release tension easily. [Figure 6-51]
• Size “O” rolled rim spur grommet handset—A tool
used for doing container repairs. The “O” stainless steel model from Stimpson Co., Inc. is the most useful
grommet set because it has a replaceable die insert section,
which will wear out in time and can therefore be
replaced. It is also the highest quality. The stainless
steel set will work for both brass and stainless steel
grommets. [Figure 6-52]
• Hole punches—Tools used for punching holes for
grommets. Various sizes. [Figure 6-53]
• Cutting pad—A tool used with hole punches. The
best are plastic, as these do not damage the punch.
[Figure 6-54]
• Rawhide mallet—A tool used when punching holes
and using grommet handsets. This is the only tool to
use as the rawhide does not damage the other tools,
and the weight makes the job easier and more consistent.
The #2 size at 4 pounds is the most common.
[Figure 6-55]
• Binding tool—A tool used for turning corners when
binding material such as para-pak or Cordura®. The
model shown in figure 6-56 is actually a soldering tool
from an electronics repair store. The plastic handle has
been replaced with a metal on
The above tools will provide the rigger with the means to
pack and maintain most of the common parachutes in use
today. There are numerous other tools, both old and new,
that individuals may wish to acquire for specialized parachutes.
In particular, there are older styles and military
parachutes that cannot be packed without specialized
tools designed specifically for them. At the same time, the
profession is constantly developing new tools to make the
job easier.
