SHOP: Monte’s Repair Shop Inc.
LOCATION: Lafayette, LA
OWNER: Monte Lewis
Monte Lewis, a longtime shop owner in Lafayette, La., never stops seeking ways to make his technicians more efficient. He attends trade shows regularly and particularly keeps an eye out for storage tools which he has found to be critical since they make tools, parts and supplies readily accessible to technicians.
1) Launch Tech USA C-reader CRP129
“It’s quick; it’s easy; its’ not hard to use," Monte Lewis says of his favorite scan tool. "You don’t have to worry about somebody messing up the codes. You can’t change any perimeters on the vehicle with this system.” Functions include electronic parking brake release, steering angle reset and service reminder reset – not to mention the ability to display and graph live PID data for A/T, SRS, and ABS, along with complete generic OBDII. For more information on this tool, go to: VehicleServicePros.com/10824993.
2) Strong Hold Products Four Drawer Cabinet, 36-BBS-241-4DB
“That’s going to hold many different fasteners in a central location to where there’s easy access,” Lewis says for the cabinet. The cabinet is a 12-gauge, all-welded storage cabinet with 110 yellow bins, an adjustable shelf and four drawers, measuring 3" high by 29" wide by 13" deep and 6" high by 29" wide by 14" deep. Ball bearing slides provide for smooth opening of drawers. The large bin is 8' 1/4" wide by 14' 3/4" deep and 7" high and holds up to 60 lbs. For more information on this product, go to VehicleServicePros.com/11283695.
3) Snap-on Roll Cab, Classic 60
“Tool carts and mobile work stations allow more efficient procedures to be carried out quickly,” Lewis says of the roll cab which has 32" wide drawers and holds long objects including pry bars, extensions and torque wrenches. The 14-gauge, steel gussets reinforce the corners, keeping the box square for a lifetime and soft thermoplastic rubber noiseless casters hold up to 2400 lbs. For more information on this product, go to VehicleServicePros.com/11289751.
4) GearWrench Ratcheting Wrench
“They will grab so much better than anything else,” Lewis says of his favorite ratcheting wrench. The original GearWrench Ratcheting Wrench from KD Tools is now available in larger sizes expanding the line to 1-1/4" in SAE and 34mm in Metric. For more information on this product, go to VehicleServicePros.com/10126245.
5) Knipex Pliers Wrench, No. 86 03 250
“The pliers have a better feel and they have much more leverage when you go to cut. It saves on time.” The wrench features gripping, holding, pressing and bending by employing a 10-to-1 lever ratio. With smooth jaws, the pliers wrench will not damage or mar work pieces, making it ideal for work on chrome-plated fittings or soft metals. For more information on this product, go to VehicleServicePros.com/11149344.
6) Knipex Mini Bolt Cutters
“We use them when we’re replacing brake springs. Everything comes apart really quick and really easy.” The Mini Bolt Cutter uses a high-leverage action design to produce a powerful cutting performance. While larger bolt cutters require two hands to use, the Mini Bolt Cutter only requires one-handed operation because both of the cutting edges come together to offer a more powerful cut. The Mini Bolt Cutter’s cutting knives are separately induction-hardened (64 HRC) to cut the hardest materials and offer a longer tool life. For more information on this product, go to VehicleServicePros.com/10326742.
7) Racatac Mobile Knee Cart, No. 01RAC3
“Sometimes a chair is not low enough on the ground to get around the vehicle," Lewis says for this handy mobile knee cart. "It doesn’t hurt your back. It keeps you off the ground so that the sparks don’t get on your needs. You don’t end up having neck and back fatigue.” It allows users to move in a kneeling, leaned over or kneeling/sitting position while taking off pressure off of knees, feet and back. Features include strong, lightweight aluminum construction, 3" casters, adjustable seat, tool tray and an attachable chest support. For more information on this product, go to VehicleServicePros.com/10099563.
8) Millermatic350P allin-in-one MIG/Pulse MIG welder
“It allows me to get to reach high places, inside the vehicle. I don't have to take the welding machine to the job to get access to weld areas to do the welding. It has a lot of nice options on it.” The 350P also has wire-specific programs that maintain the optimal peak, background and pulse width parameters to extend tip life and increase the time between tip replacement. The system comes with reversible .035"-3/64" u-groove drive rolls and a Teflon intermediate guide. For more information on this product, go to VehicleServicePros.com/10099185.
9) Kaeser Compressors ASD30 compressor
“I can actually hook it up to run certain times of the day,” Lewis says for his compressor. "These units are true direct drive compressors with the airend connected directly to the motor via a maintenance-free coupling for maximum efficiency. A high-efficiency separator system ensures extremely low fluid carry-over, ensuring the highest quality of air. For more information on this product, go to VehicleServicePros.com/11284327.
10) IPA Mobile Tire Pressure Equalizer, No. 9060
“The IPA mobile tire inflator speeds up preventive maintenance work. Benefits include better fuel mileage and ride while reducing tire wear and giving consistent results at each PM (preventative maintenance) job.” The tool comes equipped with two integrated, high-capacity air regulators and two high-resolution, glycerin- filled pressure gauges for consistent and precise tire pressure readings. Mounted on a welded steel cart with pneumatic tires and features wheel-specific color-coded hoses with corresponding panel indicators and convenient hose hangers. For more information on this product, go to VehicleServicePros.com/10885256.
