Tools Make the Body Shop Tradesperson

In these days of customer service levels of auto repair dealership shops by head office statisticians and bureaucrats one solitary bad apple can result in penalization of a whole dealership auto service department's assigned and paid for labor rates. More often than not management often finds that inadequate quality tools and tool chests are often the direct cause and causation factor.

If you are are , or plan to become a professional mechanic, rule out at once inferior tools. True to form the cheaper grades are usually if not always manufactured of poor materials. No doubt you can count on them to fail sooner, slow down your work schedules and completion times and true to form wear out and fail sooner. On top of that due to corners being cut in finishing , its most often always the case that inferior bottom of the barrel tool sets will be ultimately harder and take years longer to clean and clean up at the end of the shift or job. After all, these need to come in handy in unforeseen situations. Always remember and take important note - that though the initial costs of good tools may be high , that considering pride of ownership, dependability , life span , ease of use and cleaning , that at the end of the day , week, month or year that in the end the choice of premium tools are much less expensive and costly overall than tools of low quality and low initial price. If possible, all dismantling jobs must be done on a clean and flat table or workbench. A vise will be needed, preferably one with a jaw opening of four inches. This is appropriate for most tasks. Take into consideration the height of the workbench or table. A clean dry storage is essential not only for tools, but also for other liquids like cleaning fluid, lubricant and touch-up paint. Remember to prepare the appropriate space for these items. When the right set of tools is in hand, the next step is to know how to take care of them and make them last. Always keep the tools in a clean serviceable condition. After using them, grease, dirt and even metal particles must be removed. Do so by wiping these items with the use of a clean, dry cloth. Store them immediately after cleaning instead of leaving them unsafe for others, lying around in the garage. Tool racks come in handy for a more organized garage or work space. A simple rack can be mounted on a garage wall. This would hold items like pliers and screw drivers. Metal boxes are a good way of storing regular wrenches and sockets. Measuring instruments like gauges and meters should also be kept away. Carefully place them in a storage compartment or area where rust cannot damage them. Avoid leaving them around after using them. Fast, efficient work and confusion cannot exist together in a properly run and managed automobile repair shop. Whether you run or work at a major auto dealership, a big box store or a backyard garage or autobody shop you must strive to keep your tools neat, clean, orderly and near at hand. A roll cabinet, in combination with a tool and "tote" tray ( small tray containing few selected tools) will provide proper storage and accessibility. Its as if you are at your specialist dentist's office and in the chair waiting for the work to begin. There are any number of manufacturers that produce excellent tools. Selection of a specific brand and branding should be left to the individual preference of the involved individual mechanic. Its personal preference and a case of different strokes for different folks. Rust can damage measuring instruments like meters and gauges. Chisels are used for jobs such as cutting off rivet heads, bolts and rusted nuts. Flat, cape , diamond, half-round and "rivet buster" chisels should be available readily on hand. Hold a chisel securely, yet not too tightly. Grasp it as far from the top as practical. This will protect your fingers somewhat if the hammer slips from the chisel head. For heavy hammering pros recommend that a chisel holder should be employed. Keep the cutting edge sharp and the top chamfered ( edges tapered). This reduces the possibility of and possibilities of small chisel segments breaking off and flying outwards. Its safety first . Make it a solid practice in your shop to enforce policies of always wearing goggles when using or employing a chisel or chiseling.

Top quality tools are made of alloy steel and are carefully heat treated for great strength and the longest wear lifetimes and lifespans. These will be less bulky and on top of that have a smooth finish. This makes them easy on the hands and quicker to clean and clean up at the end of the shift. The working surfaces are made to closer tolerances . On top of that count professional support. Repair parts and facilities will be available - certainly closer geographically than the remote factory in China or Malaysia. Toll free support and assistance in specialized job types and situations may be afforded as well- often at no or limited charges. Its all part of service and professional service levels and support structures. On top of that quality tools may have full or lifetime guarantees. In the world of professional auto repair tools you often learn that you get what you pay for and that a bargain in a snap may not be good value overall either in the long or short run. Hammers - ball peen,plastic tipped,brass,lead , rawhide and rubber hammers should be included in each and every professional mechanic's toolbox selections. The ball peen is used for general striking, riveting and gasket cutting. The plastic , lead and brass hammers are used to prevent marring of part surfaces. When using a hammer, take great care to grasp the handle firmly. Place your hand near the handle edge. Strike so that the face of the hammer engages the work most squarely. Files : the most frequently used files and file types are the flat mill, round, square , triangular and point files. Many other special and specialized metal shop and metallurgical shapes are also made and available on the market and marketplace. The file's relative size and cutting edge per inch mm or cm is one determination of file cut. In general overall , the softer the metal the coarser the cut needed. Three popular file cuts around are the "bastard cut", "second cut" and "smooth cut" types and varieties. A file may be either single cut ( single row of diagonal cutting edges at the same angle), or double cut ( two rows of diagonal cutting edges that cross cut at angle). Files may also be rasp and curve cut. A typical single cut mill has a rather distinctive handle in appearance and appearances. When noting the handle always be sure that the handle is firmly affixed to the tang before using it. This will provide a firm grip and will eliminate the danger and dangers of the tang of the file piercing the hand or palm areas. Avoid injury and injuries on the job and job sites. Who needs to spend a wasted day on the phone , at the emergency ward or filling out workman's insurance compensation forms and answering incessant questions and questioning. For instance, when the car's engine needs to be taken out for repairs, having a roof over his head is greatly beneficial to the mechanic/ owner. Take great care to place delicate measuring tools in their protective cases. Separate cutting tools ( files,chisels,drills) to prevent damage to cutting edges. Tools that rust should be lightly oiled. Place heavy tools by themselves. Overall and as a general rule attempt to keep the most frequently used tool sets more than handy and close at hand nearby.

Unnecessary force can damage tools faster. That is why a little care when using them is key to minimizing damage. For instance, hammer heads eventually collect marks. Screwdrivers wear by losing the sharpness on their blades. Some tools wear faster depending on the frequency of use. An emery cloth or file can help restore these items and other similar ones to a good serviceable finish. Also, any dismantling task should take place on a flat table or workbench that is clean. Punches: starting,drift and pin punches are essential in all auto repair and automotive body insurance shops. A few sections of round brass stock in various diameters are useful in driving parts that may of been damaged or impaled with steel punch or punch sets inadvertently. All workbenches need a vise. This is a jaw opening of 100mm or four inches. Other essentials like lubricants, touch-up paint and cleaning fluids must be stored in a dry storage space.

Remember - The workshop is another consideration when discussing tools. For any other type of repair that goes more than the category of routine maintenance, a suitable working area becomes necessary. "Suitable" doesn't mean expensive. A simple roof can already accomplish this without the requirement of a garage or workshop. Imagine taking out the engine of a vehicle without this basic structure. It can be more tiring, not to mention, the car being exposed to more elements. Any repair that an owner would like to undertake should be done under the cover of a roof.


------

Winnipeg Job Shops
Manitoba Canada Job Search