Innovations In Automotive Specialty Tools
One of the most common changes we see with hand tools has to do with comfort and ergonomics. Suppliers are now aware of the need to provide tools that not only work well, but also feel good in the hand and don’t contribute to fatigue or work-related long-term injuries.
Back2Basics 5: Step-by-Step vehicle alignment
Even with today’s high-tech cars, SUVs and light trucks, alignment remains an important service option for drivers and dealers alike. This installment in our Back2Basics series reviews the basics of performing a standard two- and four-wheel alignment.
Getting Organized from the Ground Up: Building a Tool Storage Solution
As I prepare to write this article, I can’t help but be struck by the irony of it. No doubt, as a professional technician, you’ve worked around other technicians who are modern day “Pig Pens.” This is that guy or girl who can’t quite seem to get his or her tools back where they belong.
Pneumatic Tool Innovations
“Pneumatics is a section of technology that deals with the study and application of pressurized gas to affect mechanical motion.” — Wikipedia Said differently, pneumatic tools use compressed gas (usually air) to make them work. I would venture to guess that most, if not all, of you reading this use air tools frequently, or have
Skipping The Torque Wrench: Sticks Creates Comebacks
It’s not difficult totorque wheel fasteners properly, but it’s not difficult to foul up the job,either. We’re not using double talk here; we’re shootin’ straight from the hip.The easy part of proper wheel fastener torquing is knowing the vehiclemanufacturer torque specifications for a particular passenger car, light truckor medium truck, and following those instructions to
Specialty Tools Make Once Difficult Tasks Easy
More and more, it is becoming difficult, if not impossible, to repair and service the cars on the road without a host of specialty tools. The days of being able to use just basic hand tools to repair vehicles is becoming a thing of the past. As the owner and lead tech on a couple
How to Sell and Use Automotive Chemicals
In the modern era of reduced vehicle maintenance requirements, it’s very easy to develop a complacent attitude toward automotive chemicals. But in our current market, many are essential tools for keeping a modern vehicle in top-notch operating condition.
Maintain Shop Compressors to Get Good Air
Preventive maintenance is critical to keeping any compressed air system in top condition. Although the life cycle of an industrial air compressor typically exceeds 10 years, proper maintenance is crucial to maintaining reliability, performance and efficiency. Piston or Rotary?Piston compressors and rotary compressors have separate and different maintenance and service requirements. Piston compressors have proven to
Pickup 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
Safety, Reliability and Value of Striking Tools
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 damage!) with the use of struck or driven
Proper Tools Required for Successful 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. Here are some common types of leaks and what kind of equipment you can use to find them.
On-Car Brake Lathes Save Time on Rotor Resurfacing
One of my favorite pieces of shop equipment is the on-the-car brake lathe. Not only does it resurface the rotors to the center line of the wheel bearings, it also speeds the job up in some cases – a win/win situation.