At The Counter Archives

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How do you handle billing shop supplies?

When I first began writing service at an indie auto repair shop, one line item on the bill was “shop supplies.” We tacked on some percentage of the bill, capping at $19.88. Shows you how long ago that was! Customers would ask about it, and many were angry about the...

Fixing cracked plastic parts with a hot staple tool (VIDEO)

Description When plastic parts break, sometimes replacements can be prohibitively expensive or hard to find. Learn how to use a hot staple tool to salvage broken plastics for auto repairs and other projects.Related Videos

How stop drilling can help to save cracked parts (VIDEO)

Description Learn how stop drilling can help to prevent cracks from propagating with a little know-how and a drill.

Tool Review: FNIRSI DSO152 Oscilloscope

Disclaimer: I purchased this tool at full retail price. In fact, I actually purchased two so I could try out the version with a high-voltage lead.If you’ve met my fellow Shop Press contrib Pete, seen his videos, taken his classes, or read his articles, you’ll know...

Making custom coiled wire is easier than you think (VIDEO)

Description Coiled wire is a smart idea for adding service loops or mechanical strain relief on automotive electrical jobs or other projects. In three easy steps, you can make your own coiled wire sections for all kinds of applications.

New techs: hang in there. An old transmission pan mystery exemplifies the difficulties of being a mechanic

Anyone who knows me is aware I am slavishly beholden to the concept of picking up a book before picking up a wrench. Heck, that’s the cornerstone of Dorman’s own Training Center, and I’ve been preaching that for a long time. I’m not the only person beating that drum....

Choosing the right brake fluid

You know topping off brake fluid is generally a no-no, but when a customer’s brake fluid needs to be flushed completely, knowing what to put in the reservoir isn’t as clear-cut as it once was. The master cylinder cap may say the vehicle uses DOT 4 brake fluid, but are...

Five ways repair shops can address the rising costs of car ownership

The financial burden of owning a vehicle has kept pace with the rising cost of living, which is to say neither is easily affordable for many Americans. As a result, many automotive repair shops are caught in the crossfire as service writers must strike a balance...

The best auto racing movies to convert non-racing fans

by Mike Principato | Mar 23, 2023

There are two kinds of people in the world: race fans and people who haven’t watched these movies. If you’re not a fan, auto racing may seem like sort of the Earth-borne equivalent of space exploration: an oddly unsatisfying venture hallmarked by astronomical costs...

The $2.5 million man: hire the right manager for your shop if you want to run with the big dogs

by Mike Principato | Mar 16, 2023

Starting a shop and managing it to the big leagues require very different skills. Odds are you don’t have both, and that’s okay. Let’s assume you’ve built a profitable independent repair shop and it’s…well, it’s just not enough. I get it. A convergence of your vision,...

Is your shop ready for the 4-day work week?

by Bryan Joslin | Feb 16, 2023

You’re probably already familiar with a growing movement to shorten the typical work week to just four days. Business journals, TV news, and social media outlets have covered the subject exhaustively in the last year or so, often in the same breath as “COVID-19” and...

A day in the life of a service writer (VIDEO)

by Shop Press Staff | Jan 19, 2023

A day in the life of a service writer (VIDEO) Description The hardest job in an automotive shop might just be that of the service writer. Taking heat from the boss, the techs, and the customers isn’t easy. That the role is for dynamic individuals becomes...

It’s totally fine to run your fuel tank down to empty

by Lemmy | Jan 5, 2023

One of the pieces of automotive wisdom that’s been repeated by publications and mechanics alike for ages is that it’s not good to run a fuel tank below some arbitrary fill point, like a quarter of a tank. At some point, that probably wasn’t bad advice. But today? It’s...

Is side work OK for service techs?

by Lemmy | Nov 8, 2022

Do you do side work? If you do, is that OK? There are tons of reasons for and against doing work outside the shop. I think my views have changed a little as I’ve been in the game a little longer, but this aspect of the job is contentious. I’ve heard various rationale,...