Any technician will have a few files in the toolbox for material removal jobs. But are you using these tools with the correct technique?
Do You Know the Right Way to Use Rasps and Files? (VIDEO)
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Thread repair for mechanics: an incomplete guide to essential products and procedures
One of the most talented mechanics I know observed me struggling with damaged threads and dispensed an opinion: “Stripped thread repair is one of the most basic skills everyone should know how to deal with.” That’s not revelatory. However, when I pronounced the part I...
Torches for courses: which heating tools should a mechanic own?
The oxyacetylene torch is the cornerstone of any shop’s torch selection, and for good reason. Oxyacetylene is the industry standard for heating and cutting with a flame. With some practice and a little know-how, this time-honored tool can handle virtually any torch...
A few tips for ball joint removal
I was thinking about some of the stumbling blocks I had when I began turning wrenches a long time ago, and I recall ball joints sticking out as problematic. I could not for the life of me understand why other mechanics considered them “gravy work.” And that’s because...
Five things to know when working on HID headlights
While working on some high-intensity discharge (HID) headlights this week, I realized that soon many younger techs are likely to be inexperienced with these lighting systems—and it’s not their fault. In the transition years between halogen lighting and the LED era,...
What’s the best way to move tools about the shop?
I was recently off my feet due to some unplanned surgery. Normally I go stalking around the garage like the proverbial bull in the china shop, but not lately—my ankle was a mess. Have you ever had an injury or illness serious enough to impact the way you make a buck?...