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...

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...

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...

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,...