Tools and equipment are the lifeblood of any shop; without them, not much work would get done. But selecting what products are right for your operation can be a challenge. Pneumatic or cordless, scan tool or code reader, budget-priced or high-end ... the options are seemingly endless.
The following pages are designed to keep you up-to-date by providing a selection of the latest products from a range of top brands.
Sometimes, however, product descriptions alone aren’t enough to get a feel for how the tool will actually perform, so we also include product reviews. We gather feedback from independent technicians who use these tools in the bay and put it into an easy-to-digest format, bringing you the most important details to help decide if each tool is right for your shop.
We also welcome you to find more information on these products and full length tool reviews by entering the URLs below each item in your internet browser.
Diagnostic tools
From code readers to bidirectional scan tools, the advanced technologies on today’s vehicles require equally sophisticated tools to troubleshoot and find the cause of a problem.
While emissions issues have been a major reason to use a scan tool for the past decade, OEMs are quickly adding advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), such as adaptive cruise control and lane departure warning, to their vehicles.
Diagnosing these systems may require more advanced scan tools, so it’s important to make sure your shop has the tools it needs to service the vehicles in your fleet.
Power tools
Pneumatic tools have long been a staple of shops everywhere, but with new battery technologies developed in the last few years, cordless power tools are starting to share some of the spotlight.
There may not be a one-size-fits-all solution for each shop, however. Cordless tools might make more sense for smaller jobs, for example, while pneumatic tools may offer lighter and less bulky solutions for heavy duty impacting.
Specialty and hand tools
The forebearer of power tools, hand tools have been used since the first humans smashed something with a rock, and they are just as crucial today as they were centuries ago. But over time, hand tools have been updated for ergonomics and efficiency — a wrench isn’t always just a wrench.
Specialty tools help technicians perform specific, time consuming tasks more quickly. Disassembling a seized U-joint, for instance, could take hours with standard hand tools or minutes with a U-joint puller. It can be helpful to determine what tasks are slowing down vehicle repair in your shop and consider whether a specialty tool could speed up the process.
Shop equipment
Lifts, air hoses, battery chargers, parts washers, alignment systems — these are all pieces of shop equipment critical to most fleet operations. Consider if updated equipment could make your shop more productive.
Tool storage
Tools and equipment are a sizable investment for technicians and for fleets, so it’s important to take care of them and keep them in good working order. It is equally important to keep them well organized so they can be found when needed without having to search.
This where tool storage solutions come into play. From wrench organizers and screwdriver holders to tool boxes, carts, and cabinets, keeping tools within easy reach is crucial when it comes to shop efficiency.
Conclusion
Vehicle uptime is directly related to the efficiency of the technicians providing service, and the tools and equipment available can help or hinder that efficiency. These products are constantly being reevaluated, redesigned, and improved, and vehicle technologies are constantly advancing. Therefore, it is imperative to remain informed of the latest tools available in order to maximize your fleet’s uptime.
