Pipe Benders: Just Around the Bend
I like many people, I have a childhood memory of going on car trips that seemed to last forever. Usually about 15 minutes into the trip, I would ask: “Are we there yet?” This question would be delivered with the accompanying whine that only very small children and some wild animals are capable of making.
Handy Tools: No Longer Out of Sight or Out of Reach
Have you ever dropped a nut or a bolt into an open intake manifold? Or dropped a fastener and watched it disappear into a crevice in the engine compartment? Or tried to find a wiring connector, plug or fastener by feel on the backside of an instrument cluster up under the dash? These are all
Work Lights: Lighten Up!
Adequate lighting is something every technician needs when working on a vehicle. Though some parts in today’s cramped engine compartments can only be changed by feel, most of the time it helps to see what you are doing. So a trouble light is an indispensable tool. The traditional drop cord style trouble light that uses
Tech Update: Scan Tools & Code Readers
One thing you can always count on in the automotive repair business is that diagnostic equipment is constantly changing. It must to keep pace with changing automotive technology. So the latest crop of scan tools and code readers have more features, more capabilities and give you more bang for your buck than ever before. There’s
Hose & Reels: Reeling It In
It is said that a chain is only as strong as its weakest link. This idea applies to many things in life. Air tools and equipment are no exception. Today’s pneumatic equipment is far superior in many ways to equipment made just a few years ago. There are lighter materials and better designs, resulting in
Leak Detection: Tooling Up for Leak Detection
Leaks of one kind or another can always be a challenge to find if the leak isn’t obvious. Having the right tools to help you find leaks can save time, effort and reduce the risk of comebacks. So here are some common types of leaks and what kind of equipment you can use to find
Hand Tools
Striking a Blow for Safety, Reliability and Value It all started thousands of years ago. Grogg picked up the jawbone of a T-Rex in one hand and a piece of broken tooth in the other hand. Voila! The first chisel is invented. Early on in our history, man realized he could do more work (or
Waiting Rooms: Waiting Room Redo…Never Underestimate the Power of a Comfy Couch
Power of a Comfy Couch We’ve all been there — stuck in a less-than-desirable waiting area. Maybe you look at one every work day! I remember one in particular where I was afraid to even sit down. Empty pop cans littered the shelves; dirt was visible on just about every surface. And yes, this was
Hybrid Service: Tools to Service Hybrids
As the price of gasoline goes up, so does the demand for fuel-efficient hybrid vehicles. Currently, there are about 1.1 million hybrid vehicles on the road. Within five years, hybrids are expected to account for 20 to 25% of all new car and light-truck sales. So sooner or later, you’ll be tooling up to work
Jacks: The Ups and Downs of Jacks
The famous actor/comedian Rodney Dangerfield was well known for his routine about respect. You couldn’t watch him for more than a few minutes before you heard his signature line: “I can’t get NO respect!” If we were to start assigning personalities to tools in the shop, jacks would definitely be the Rodney Dangerfield of the
Tool Storage: Buying a Toolbox is Like Buying a House — For Your Tools
The journey of a thousand miles starts with just one step. Deciding what new tool storage system you want can feel like that kind of journey. As the single largest purchase you are ever likely to make in your career as a technician, it is an important one! In fact, other than your home and
Brake Tools: Brake Service Tools & Equipment
Brake work is one of the cornerstones of the automotive repair business, so it’s important to make sure you have the right tools and equipment to service the brakes on today’s vehicles. Most shops that do brake work have some type of brake fluid flushing and bleeding equipment (a power bleeder, vacuum bleeder or injector