What do you consider when buying specialty tools?
Are you mainly concerned with the brand reputation? Or are you looking specifically to the ROI of a tool that can save you time on one or two particular fixes? What else?
Let me know. I will pick comments from one writer to send a yet-to-be-named tool from the PTEN toolbox.
- Brendan
Everyone’s talking about the down economy and the Big Three, but when it comes to independent repair, many are saying times won’t be as bad. How’s your shop been lately? Are you buying any more, or different tools than normal? Are you as busy as the newspapers say you should be? Are you seeing more routine maintenance as consumers hold onto their cars longer?
Share with us how your shop is doing, how it’s affecting your tool-buying decisions lately, and what you see coming for the first half of 2009. I will select someone’s comments to win some new tools from PTEN!
- Brendan, PTEN editor
… sunglasses, etc., all that personal gear you keep in your bay, where do you buy it? Do you look to your mobile tool distributor for new boots and gloves, or do you just make a purchase on the weekend at the shoe store or hardware store? What about knives and sunglasses? If you wait for the tool guy when you need to replace your work shoes, why?
For those of you willing to share an opinion, be aware: I will single out the best response I get and send the writer a gift:
The Ullman Devices’ HTC2LT telescoping lighted inspection mirror with all-angle ball joint to hold the lighted mirror head firmly at any angle. Share your thoughts on buying personal gear, and you could win this tool!
Let me know -
*** Congratulations to Michael Gould. His comments were selected as the winner for this post. PTEN will be sending Michael the Ullman Devices’ HTC2LT telescoping lighted inspection mirror.***
What do you look for when you’re buying a new toolbox? Special graphics packages, amount of storage, quality of construction, brand?
Or are your storage purchases more impulse buys based on what the tool guy has on special? Do you research a new toolbox like you would a new car, or just buy what’s available?
I will single out the best response I get and send the writer a gift:
The CatsPaw CatPack from Mayhew Tools. The CatPack includes the original lighted pick-up tool, lighted pen pick-up tool, pouch with heavy-duty metal belt clip, battery replacements for both pick-up tools and pen refills.
Thanks!
- Brendan, PTEN editor
** Congratulations to Chris Hanrahan, whose comment was picked for recognition. Chris will receive the Mayhew Tools CatsPaw set.**
My boss is wondering about flush/fill machines based on a recent recommendation from his regular repair shop. I didn’t have a straight answer for him because I don’t have a formal opinion yet, but what are your thoughts on these machines? Do you use them in your shop?
So do you sell the value-added flush of tranny, power steering, etc. fluids because you feel these machines that you hook-up and can let go while you work on something else are really doing valuable preventative maintenance?
Thanks!
I will single out the best response I get and send the writer a gift:
the Genius Tools 44-piece Metric and SAE ¼”-drive chrome-vanadium steel socket set with 5.5mm to 14mm six-point deep hand sockets, 3mm to 14mm six-point hand sockets, ¼” to 9/16” six-point deep hand sockets, 3/16” to 9/16” six-point hand sockets, two extension bars, a reversible ratchet handle and a plastic blow-molded case.
** Congratulations to Harry Zier, whose comment was picked for recognition. Harry will receive the Genius Tools socket set.**
For those of you who weren’t able to come to auto aftermarket week this year, let me just say there are plenty of new tools and equipment out here at AAPEX you.
My feet are killing me (not that you care) — and I can’t believe how much new stuff is here, whether in power tools, specialty tools, fluid exchange equipment and more. Watch pten.com for updates in the news section, and always watch for more in the coming print issues of PTEN, including the Dec. issue for my picks of show standouts.
- Brendan
Enjoy this spooky tale of a college art studio apparently haunted by a mechanic crushed under a lift 50 years ago (maybe).
“Before the union hall was built, 65 Lodge Street was the address of an auto service garage. Stories vary, but a recurring story tells of an auto mechanic — possibly named Hanson — whose legs were crushed by a car on a faulty hydraulic press. …
“It was near the sink in the windowless sculpture studio where several of my students have reported seeing a fleeting but distinctly human shape of a man with no legs.”
Read the rest here, if you dare!
Happy Halloween –
- Brendan
Be always vigilant.
An account of a recent repair shop fire in DeLand, Fla., points to a few areas every shop should be concerned with — safety procedures and insurance.
The shop owner said the fire was started when gasoline dripped onto an electric lightbulb during gas tank repair/installation. It serves as a reminder on the importance of reviewing safety procedures, and keeping the shop clutter-free.
Two bays and five vehicles were damaged in the fire. Thank goodness no one was hurt.
Additionally, the owner said there was no business insurance. I guess that makes it an extra good thing the fire didn’t spread to nearby homes and businesses and the only loss is shop equipment and a few customer vehicles.
For the full story, click here.
I read recently an account that Jesse James is moving his presence to Spike TV. The article called him “the most famous auto mechanic in the U.S.” But who cares? Do you get a kick out of watching a Gremlin get morphed into a snowmobile? Is he really a mechanic, or more of a guerilla-welder? Just curious as to what you think.
- Brendan
There was a little too much blue smoke yesterday when I took my ‘66 Impala out of the garage and into the sun. Looks like I’ve got some work to do before next Spring.
Recently, I’ve heard from two garages that do some work on old cars. Ron Rozema, of Rozema’s Car Care Center in Hudsonville, Mich., said, “We have customer with a 1948 Ford Super Deluxe Convertible. It is in great shape and runs like a fine watch. We have done brakes, exhaust, and tire work on this car. We sold him a complete set of wide white sidewall tires a few years back, and have done seasonal touchups in the spring and fall. It is really great fun to drive this car! We have not seen it now for about nine months, but I saw him in church just yesterday and he said it is running fine. He is preparing it for storage.”
And Bob Craig jr. of Craig’s Auto Repair in San Francisco wrote, “Our shop is a family owned business now on it’s third generation. We have been serving motorists in San Francisco since 1962. …
The San Francisco Bay Area is a mecca of vintage vehicle activity with it’s mild climate and beautiful scenery. We specialize in no particular brands or vintages, as the enclosed photos show. The oldest vehicle we currently service regularly is a 1915 Saxon. Model A Fords routinely are in for various repairs as are the usual shoebox Chevys and muscle cars of the ’60s. Modern iron helps pay the rent but being somewhat old and learning the trade the old-school way has given my dad and I an extensive knowledge of most older vehicle systems and eccentricities. As a boy of 6 or 7 I already had enough experience to replace the head gasket and adjust the valves on a neighbor’s 1937 Packard Six, an easy job by any standard. The years that followed were spent doing road calls using our 1948 Harley ServiCar (former SFPD meter maid bike w/ left hand throttle and right hand gearshift-still in use!) repairing stranded cars and trucks using what was available in my small tool tray or found laying in the street. Try that today on a modern vehicle! …
Enjoy the pictures and good luck on your articles. I only have a few photos to show as I never had taken pictures of our shop before a year or two ago.”
Like Craig’s and Ron’s shops, what vintage vehicles do you work on regularly or otherwise? How do they affect your tool purchases?
Oh, and if you ask nicely, I might share a picture of my ‘66 Impala. It’s in great shape, all original and has always been in the family.
- Brendan