The scope of products for automotive repair grows every day with the introduction and upgrade of new tools and equipment. All of them offer some sort of timesaving or labor-reducing quality, but the Innovation Award presented by Professional Tool & Equipment News (PTEN), works to recognize truly innovative products that the end-user feels can help save time or make a particular service easier.
In identifying the winners, PTEN calls upon 12 ASE-Certified Master Technicians and Shop Owners to spotlight the best of the best. Selections are based solely on the panel's frontline-tested observations, thoughts and opinions, and without the input of advertisers or the magazine's staff.
The following products won an Innovation Award in 2005. A special thanks to our panel for their dedicated service in recognizing the best our industry has to offer.
K-Tool International's Positioning Sensor Tool for re-programming Tire Pressure Monitoring (TPM) systems.
Indicate 199 on inquiry card or click "e-inquiry" at www.pten.com
Schley's 64300 Harmonic Damper Pulley Holding Tool for removing and installing the crank bolt on Lexus and Toyota engines.
Indicate 200 on inquiry card or click "e-inquiry" at www.pten.com
Mastercool's 7145 Hydraulic Flaring Kit for fabricating Push Connect Flares, GM Fuel Lines, Flare/Double Flares and Metric Bubble Flares.
Indicate 201 on inquiry card or click "e-inquiry" at www.pten.com
Electronic Specialties' #687 Low Current Probe/DMM can obtain measurements as low as 0.001 amps, and as high as 80 amps.
Indicate 202 on inquiry card or click "e-inquiry" at www.pten.com
The HO 70 Special Bonus Kit from Sir Tools combines the HO 50 and HO 60 kits for breaking loose crankshaft pulley/harmonic balancer bolts.
Indicate 203 on inquiry card or click "e-inquiry" at www.pten.com
Snap-on's new Multi-Probe (CT3000KT), a handheld electrical tester that can be used on DC systems from 6 to 48 volts.
Indicate 204 on inquiry card or click "e-inquiry" at www.pten.com
The 800 wireless 5-Gas Analyzer from Emissions Systems allows for hands-free vehicle testing within a 30' radius. Shops can also retrofit an existing machine with the company's new wireless software kit.
Indicate 205 on inquiry card or click "e-inquiry" at www.pten.com
Great Neck's Fuel Pro fuel disconnect tool is designed to make disconnecting fuel lines safer, quicker and easier with one-handed operation.
Indicate 206 on inquiry card or click "e-inquiry" at www.pten.com
The Thread-Saver is designed to drill out broken pipe fittings in intake manifolds while they're still on the engine, helping to avoid timely engine disassembly.
Indicate 207 on inquiry card or click "e-inquiry" at www.pten.com
Precision Instruments' Tire Shop Torque Kit aims at preventing the hardware and wheel damage that can result from over or under-tightening lug nuts.
Indicate 208 on inquiry card or click "e-inquiry" at www.pten.com
Ingersoll-Rand feels their 14.4-volt, 3/8"-drive cordless impact wrench is the most powerful cordless 3/8" impact available. It can generate up to 3,000 impacts per minute.
Indicate 209 on inquiry card or click "e-inquiry" at www.pten.com
Power Probe's latest is their Gold Series lead set for quicker electrical troubleshooting with the Power Probe tester.
Indicate 210 on inquiry card or click "e-inquiry" at www.pten.com
The LT-940 Gas Tank Fuel Pump Removal Tool from Lock Technology helps remove plastic fuel pump retaining rings with an adjustable design that fits most applications.
Indicate 211 on inquiry card or click "e-inquiry" at www.pten.com
Induction Innovations Mini-Ductor™ uses high-frequency magnetic fields to heat metal objects without an open flame.
Indicate 212 on inquiry card or click "e-inquiry" at www.pten.com
Bridge Analyzer's 9005 (5-Gas) and 9004 (4-Gas) handheld infrared gas analyzers are smaller and more rugged, can be used in measuring exhaust gas to BAR-97 specifications, and can run up to 3 hours on its own batteries.
Indicate 213 on inquiry card or click "e-inquiry" at www.pten.com
Lockit Tools has enhanced their Lockit Socket line of spark plug sockets with improved access, added length and an external hex on the drive end.
Indicate 214 on inquiry card or click "e-inquiry" at www.pten.com
