How to maintain automotive hand tools
While there can be many different jobs for automotive technicians these days, every mechanic needs certain hand tools to be able to do their job properly. Without them, many routine repairs would be virtually impossible.
However, if your tools are not properly maintained, regular repairs will be just as difficult and you will have to spend a lot of money to replace or fix them. There is also the issue of security. Many tools will become dangerous if they are not properly maintained. For all these reasons, below are important ways to ensure that your tools work properly.
Pneumatic tools can be found in any auto repair shop or dealership. These powerful tools use compressed air to perform many important tasks. Despite how much power they put right in the palm of your hand and how quickly they can get the job done, they are also lighter than many other tools.
They are also extremely versatile. You can use this compressed air to power a powerful drill, impact wrench, screwdriver and more. So the first thing you want to do in order to keep this important tool up and running is to check out these add-ons. Make sure they are in working order and clean. All that power being transferred from the pneumatic to, say, an impact wrench will be wasted and can cause problems if the connection is damaged by sand, mud, or other debris.
Also, check the compressor regularly. Check that the air element, air filter and oil level are correct. You will also want to change your oil regularly.
Automotive grinders
Another tool you'll find just about anywhere cars are repaired is the car grinder. They are great for restoring the car body, but you can also use these grinders to do all sorts of necessary repairs. This is another incredibly versatile tool. There are orbital sanders, jitterbug sanders, dual action sanders, and many more.
To make sure these grinders will perform well for years to come, the first thing you need to do is simply make sure you only use them on the materials they are approved for. So always check their rating if you are unsure before using them.
Clean them regularly too. The grinding component moves so fast that any debris stuck between it and the rest of the tool can be a problem. Check all parts to make sure they are clean and in working order. Obviously, you will want to do this with the grinder unplugged, otherwise very serious injury could result.
Car polishers
Not every shop will deal with car cleaning, so polishers may not be in your toolbox. However, for those who do, it is imperative that yours works correctly. While you definitely want to avoid injury at all costs, you also don't want a polishing machine that isn't working properly accidentally scratching or scratching a customer's car - basically, that's the exact opposite of what it's designed for.
To make sure your car polisher is working properly, it's important to check its speed controls. They are so strong that if they are turned off, it is almost inevitable that you will damage the vehicle when you use it. Also, check the interlock that is responsible for continuous speed control, as you don't want it to fail.
Pipe flaring tools consist of two separate parts. You have a set of rods with holes in them. All holes have a different diameter, so you can insert pipes of different sizes and give them the desired shape. Then there is a clamp that is used to drive the cone into the neck of the pipe. Some models also come with a pipe cutting tool.
The main thing you need to do to maintain these tools is to simply check the cutting blades periodically if they have them. Otherwise, it's such a rudimentary tool that all you really have to do is just keep it clean.
Make sure everyone is properly trained
Finally, be sure to make sure all the mechanics at your auto repair shop or dealership know how to properly use these tools. While this is something a quality auto mechanic school should learn, it's best not to make assumptions. Unless your team is joined by someone with more experience or proof that they know how these tools work, learning quickly will help ensure your tools last for years to come (not to mention the safety benefits that come with it).
As we mentioned at the beginning, all automotive technician jobs involve the use of certain hand tools. While you may not use all of the ones we just covered, it's important that you know how to maintain the ones you do.
