ToolsAvoid Trouble With Trouble Lights Those old-fashioned trouble lights that have metal hang hooks can scratch your customer’s vehicle. Prevent future grief with a 1/8–inch inner diameter (ID) piece of rubber tubing. Cut a 3 1/2-inch piece of tubing and spray the hook with a small amount of silicone lube. Then, twist the tubing onto the hook. Now you can work without worry.Barry D. London, Owner/Technician
Omega Performance, Syosset, NY
TO VOTE, ENTER 232 ON VOTING FORMTool (Metric or English plus size) Labels The technician needs a good aftermarket labeling system for his tools. He needs to know what size socket, wrench or other tool he is using at a glance under typical shop conditions including dirt, grease, low lighting and the like. The tool trucks could provide a retrofit process to apply these labels to the mechanics’ tools.Robert A Weber, Engineer
Weber’s Diagnostics, Davidsonville, MD
TO VOTE, ENTER 233 ON VOTING FORMInstant Stud PullerHas your stud puller been borrowed and disappeared? Select two nuts that have the same inner diameter (ID) thread dimensions as the stud. Run the nuts down the stud as close to the base as possible, and lock them together so that they are still six-sided. Carefully remove the stud with a box wrench or deep socket.Barry D. London, Owner/Technician
Omega Performance, Syosset, NY
TO VOTE, ENTER 234 ON VOTING FORMNo Drilling Mess When drilling metal – whether it be a broken bolt, new hole or even cutting with a saw – one real problem is what to do with the metal shavings. Compressed air is dangerous, a vacuum works great but often is not available and a shop rag to wipe the metal just puts the shaving in close proximity to your eyes if you have to wipe your face or are perspiring. My old standby is to take a strong magnet (the old GM blower motors are my favorite) and place it in a zipper-type sandwich bag that I have turned inside out. Use the magnet to attract all of the shavings and when finished, just turn the baggie outside in and seal. All the shavings are trapped and the magnet is clean. Franz Hofmann, Retired Master ASE
Lockhart, TX
TO VOTE, ENTER 235 ON VOTING FORMHold That Bolt I use a piece of toilet paper to hold bolts into a socket. It works great for difficult-to-access or hard-to-start bolts/ nuts. When it’s tight, the socket will crush the paper and allow for easy socket removal.Terry Hardesty, Owner/Technician
Auto Exper1ence, Shepherdsville, KYTO VOTE, ENTER 242 ON VOTING FORM
