Auto Rotisserie |
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- Make sure to pay attention to the strength of the materials used in the rotisserie’s construction—don’t settle for cheaper, lighter steel.
- If the main frame is thinner than 3/16”, you might have issues with medium or larger sized vehicles.
- If possible, get something bigger and heavier-duty than you need—just in case
- Hydraulic jacks might not be necessary—though they can save you a lot of time in certain situations.
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Brake Lathes |
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- Make sure to pay attention to the spindle motor. It’s usually recommended that you purchase a lathe that has at least 1 horsepower.
- If you plan on using the lathe for both rotors and drums, make sure that the changeover is easy and not time-consuming.
- Some brake lathes can be expanded to work on other parts by adding different components and tools. This might be something to keep in mind as you shop.
- If you do plan on adding different parts, make sure that you investigate how difficult or easy they are to attach. Does the company offer different attachment options? Can other brands be used instead?
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Diagnostic/Test Equipment |
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- Vehicles produced before the 1990s might not have ‘standardized’ diagnostic tools. For these, you might have to go the ‘old fashioned’ route and buy different types of testing equipment individually.
- For newer cars built later than 1990, you may have the option of buying a ‘standard’ diagnostic tool that can serve a wide range of different functions.
- Make sure to research your vehicle’s interface to make sure that the diagnostic tool in question will be able to connect to the onboard vehicular computer.
- You may need a ‘code book’ to read vehicle data scanners. This is often purchased separately.
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Engine Hoist/Stands |
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- If storage space is an issue, you might want to make sure to get an engine hoist with legs that fold up and a boom that folds all the way down when you collapse the cylinder.
- It’s important to buy a hoist that’s going to have long-enough legs and lift-arms to do what you need it to do.
- Some people prefer to buy hoists/stands that have extendible legs. This makes it better for use in a wide variety of different situations and applications.
- Some people prefer angled legs so that they can use the hoist to pick up other things as well. Straight legs can sometimes get in the way if you’re trying to list things straight up off of the ground.
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Brake Lathes |
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- Make sure to pay attention to the spindle motor. It’s usually recommended that you purchase a lathe that has at least 1 horsepower.
- If you plan on using the lathe for both rotors and drums, make sure that the changeover is easy and not time-consuming.
- Some brake lathes can be expanded to work on other parts by adding different components and tools. This might be something to keep in mind as you shop.
- If you do plan on adding different parts, make sure that you investigate how difficult or easy they are to attach. Does the company offer different attachment options? Can other brands be used instead?
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Diagnostic/Test Equipment |
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- Vehicles produced before the 1990s might not have ‘standardized’ diagnostic tools. For these, you might have to go the ‘old fashioned’ route and buy different types of testing equipment individually.
- For newer cars built later than 1990, you may have the option of buying a ‘standard’ diagnostic tool that can serve a wide range of different functions.
- Make sure to research your vehicle’s interface to make sure that the diagnostic tool in question will be able to connect to the onboard vehicular computer.
- You may need a ‘code book’ to read vehicle data scanners. This is often purchased separately.
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Engine Hoist/Stands |
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- If storage space is an issue, you might want to make sure to get an engine hoist with legs that fold up and a boom that folds all the way down when you collapse the cylinder.
- It’s important to buy a hoist that’s going to have long-enough legs and lift-arms to do what you need it to do.
- Some people prefer to buy hoists/stands that have extendible legs. This makes it better for use in a wide variety of different situations and applications.
- Some people prefer angled legs so that they can use the hoist to pick up other things as well. Straight legs can sometimes get in the way if you’re trying to list things straight up off of the ground.
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Exhaust Benders |
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- When shopping for exhaust benders, make sure to check the warranty information—you don’t want to be left stranded if it breaks down.
- There are different sizes of exhaust—so make sure that the bender in question will bend the sizes that you’re going to be working the most with.
- Is this bender for a commercial shop or business? If so, you might want to get something larger, heavier, and more durable so that it’ll be able to handle the larger workflow.
- Make sure that you’re buying an actual exhaust bender and not just a pipe-bender. The two are similar, though still a bit different.
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Fluid Exchange Systems |
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- Fluid exchange systems are usually designed for one type of fluid. Make sure that you get the type you need for what you plan to be using in it (transmission fluid, oil, etc.).
- Different systems are built to hold different amounts of fluid. For heavy-duty or commercial applications, you’re probably going to want a larger system.
- Always make sure that the make/model in question will completely remove the old fluid before installing the new fluid (to prevent cross-contamination).
- Some commercial units are built to handle everything from engine oil to brake fluid. For best results, try to find an exchange system that will hold at least 2 gallons and that is made from a high quality material that won’t rust (polyethylene, for example, would be a good choice).
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Frame Alignment |
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- For most commercial and heavy-duty frame alignment applications, you’re going to need a tilt-frame machine with hydraulics and a 360 degree pulling capability.
- For most typical projects, you’ll need to get a machine that has two round towers with at least 10-ton hydraulics.
- If you need more room or are looking for a more budget-friendly option, you could always invest in a ‘mobile’ system. These types are quick to set up, take up minimal floor space, and often fill the role of frame machine and pulling post.
- Since this piece of equipment is going to be subjected to quite a bit of stress, make sure to buy a well-known brand that you know and trust. Cheaper, generic models might work—but if they’re cheap you might get what you pay for.
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Lifts |
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- Make sure that your lift has been awarded the ALI seal of approval.
- Determine beforehand how much weight you’ll need to lift, and make sure to you buy a lift that will either meet or exceed this requirement.
- Will you need a truck or van adapter? Will you need telescoping arms or bridge jacks? Make sure that the lift in question is adaptable to fit a wide range of needs and situations.
- Lifts for personal/private garages are usually engineered to a different standard than those intended for commercial applications. Make sure to specify this while shopping to avoid ending up with something that won’t be able to handle your workload.
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Paint Spray Booth |
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- Before installing a paint spray booth, make sure to check local, state, and federal legal requirements to ensure that you’ll be meeting all of the appropriate health and safety regulations.
- Make sure to buy the appropriate filters and exhaust equipment to ensure that no paint is going to be leaving the painting booth (you should have a minimum of 100 FPM air flow inside of the booth, though it must be filtered!).
- Don’t underestimate the lighting. A painter will need adequate lighting to paint by, so make sure that this is included in your budget.
- When shopping for painting supplies, don’t forget personal safety gear! You’re going to need masks, protective coverings, gloves, and more.
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Parts Washer |
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- If you’re going to be moving your parts washer around the shop, you might want to make sure that it runs on 110 volt power (unless you have larger outlets installed in and around your workspace).
- Make sure that your washer is deep enough to completely submerge the parts that you’ll be working on. If you’ll be working with exceptionally large parts, then you’ll want it to cover at least half so that you can roll them over (though this will take twice as much time).
- Buying a washer with a sturdy, strong shelf above the fluid will allow you to set out the parts and let them dry.
- Make sure to buy some kind of liquid cleaner to wash parts with. Some people use diesel, but remember that this will leave a coating on the parts that might have to be washed off later!
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Pipe Benders |
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- One of the first questions to consider is whether your pipe bender should be manual or automatic.
- Manual pipe benders are slower, though they’re also less expensive and better suited to smaller projects.
- Fully automatic exhaust benders are faster, but they’re also more expensive.
- For professional applications where you’re going to be bending pipe on a daily basis, you’ll probably want an automatic bender that can offer real dependability and longevity.
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Powder Coating Systems |
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- Every powder coating system is going to have three basic components—the gun, the booth, and the oven.
- If you plan on buying a powder coating gun for your business, then you’re definitely going to want to buy something high-quality. Don’t skimp on a cheap gun if it’s for your business.
- When it comes to a powder coating oven, make sure that you purchase something that will get up to temperature quickly. An oven that takes 2 or 3 hours to heat up, for example, is probably too slow and won’t do you a lot of good outside of a hobbyist setting.
- Powder coating ovens range in size from small to large enough to walk into. You’re definitely going to want to buy an oven that’s at least a size larger than you need—just to make sure that you’ll be covered for unexpected projects.
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Presses |
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- If you’re looking for a hydraulic press that’s lightweight and less expensive, try shopping for something around 12 tons.
- For heavier-duty work, you might want to shop for a press that can provide around 20 tons of pressure.
- Buying a press with an adjustable table height will make projects easier and will eliminate annoying and problematic angles.
- For commercial and heavy-duty applications, make sure that you buy something that can stand up to the rigors of your daily routine. Also, it’s much better to buy something a little ‘overpowered’ than to buy something that’s a little bit ‘under-powered’ for what you do.
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Rim Straighteners |
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- There are basically two types of rim straighteners—those with lathes and those without.
- Those without lathes are usually less expensive, though they might not be capable of dealing with as many different types of rim problems.
- For commercial applications and for heavier-duty work, you might want to consider a rim straightener that has a lathe built into it.
- If you own a small to medium sized business and only need to solve occasional rim problems, then you can probably get by with a rim straightener without a lathe.
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Sand Blasting Equipment |
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- For the least-expensive option, consider buying a hand-held, gravity-fed sand-blasting gun.
- If you own a business and plan on using the sandblaster as a part of your daily operation, then you’ll probably want to buy a larger commercial model. Some of these are large enough to fit on trucks, while others are small enough to allow you to cart them around in the shop.
- Try to buy a model that’s made from heavy, durable steel. They tend to last longer.
- Some people buy the type of gun that re-uses sand to save money. Spreading a tarp and collecting the sand afterword can help to cut down on extra long-term costs.
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Tire Changers |
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- If you want something easier to use and don’t mind paying a bit more, look for a leverless and/or powered model.
- You will typically want a tire changer that can handle rim sizes up to 34 inches, though this will also depend upon your business and on what types of projects you usually take on.
- For a safer and more ergonomic tire changer, look for a model that comes with dual disc bead breakers that are electronically synchronized.
- If you own a small shop or only occasionally change tires, you might be able to get by with a generic brand. Otherwise, looking for something with a good reputation is probably a safer idea.
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Wheel Alignment |
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- There are a ton of different wheel alignment systems out there—so make sure that whatever you buy is going to be able to provide you with all of the necessary measurements, including: camber, caster, toe, SAI, scrub radius, thrust angle, and steering center measurements.
- For commercial applications, make sure that you purchase something that’s going to withstand the wear and tear of continuous daily use.
- Many shops are now utilizing ‘wireless’ alignment systems.
- If you do go wireless, make sure that you’re getting at least four sensors, 1 brake pedal depressor, and dual-mode sensors that can operate either wired or wirelessly.
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Wheel Balancers |
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- For the most precise balance, look for a model that comes equipped with laser-guided weight placement.
- If you have employees and need an edge in the training department, consider buying a newer model with a built-in operator training mode.
- If your shop’s tire-balancing needs are considered ‘low volume’, you might be able to go with a less-expensive model to save capital.
- Some people still use the old, old model balancers where you balance the tire in the center of an iron apparatus and bubble-level it by sight. Nowadays, you probably need something more accurate than this.
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