As if to say.. "What are you looking at?" This was taken at Will's shop, "WB's Keen Machine", in late June of 2003.
My truck in front of Will's shop. "Keen Machine" is the old name - it's known as "WB's Keen Machine" now.
TO MY GARAGE
TO MY GARAGE
TO MY GARAGE
My Simple Workspace
My neighbor and friend Jim, who so graciously shares his space (a lot of it!) with me.
My humble space. The motorcycle is long gone; look for it in New Hampshire somewhere.
Black and silver, to match the car of course!
I'm a stickler for documentation!
Never enter the garage without it!
You'll need this one too.
This page was last updated on: June 13, 2006
AUTOMOTIVE TOOLS REDEFINED
by Dick Randall

Air Compressor: A machine that takes energy produced in a coal-burning power plant 200 miles away and transforms it into compressed air that travels by hose to an impact wrench that grips rusty suspension bolts last tightened 30 years ago by someone in Detroit and rounds them off.

Battery Electrolyte Tester: A handy tool for transferring sulfuric acid from a car battery to the inside of your tool box after verifying that your battery is dead as a doornail just as you thought.

Bolt & Stud Extractor: A tool that snaps off in bolt holes and is ten times harder than any known drill bit.

Drill Press: A tall, upright machine useful for suddenly snatching flat metal bar stock out of your hands so that it smacks you in the chest and flings your soda across the room, splattering it all over that great old poster you have hanging over the bench grinder.

Hacksaw: One of a family of cutting tools built o the Ouija Board principle.  It transforms human energy into a crooked, unpredictable motion, and the more you try to influence its course, the more dismal your future becomes.

Hammer: Originally used as a weapon of war, this device is now primarily used to locate expensive car parts not far from the objectwe are trying to hit.

Mechanic's Knife:  Generally used to open and slice through the contents of cardboard boxes containing convertible tops or upholstery.

Pliers: Used for rounding off bolt heads.

Screwdriver:  A device used for opening drink cans.  It also serves as a chisel, for removing excess skin from the palms, and for making random gouges in other things.

Phillips Screwdriver:  Normally used in stabbing the lids of old-style pare-and-tin oil cans, thereby splashing contents on your shirt.  Can also be used as the name implies - to round off Phillips screw heads.

Timing Light:  A stroboscopic instrument for illuminating grease buildup on crankshaft pulleys.

Trouble Light:  The mechanic's own tanning booth.  A good source of Vitamin D, the "sunshine vitamin", not normally found under cars at night.  Health benefits aside, its main function is to consume 40-watt lightbulbs at the same rate that howitzer shells were used during the Battle Of The Bulge.  More often dark than light, its name is somewhat misleading.

Two-Ton Hydraulic Engine Hoist:  A handy tool for testing the tensile strength of all those ground straps and control cables you forgot to disconnect.

Vise-Grips:  Used to round off bolt heads when pliers just won't do the trick.  Can also be used to transfer intense welding heat to the palm of your hand.

Wire Wheel:  Cleans rust and corrosion off old bolts then throws them somewhere under the workbench at the speed of light.  Also good for removing fingerprints and hard-earned guitar callouses.

HARD-TO-FIND PARTS & SUPPLIES

  • TIRE CHANGE AIR KIT This kit comes with everything you need to change the air in your tires. This highly recommended but often overlooked maintenance item is much easier now. Remember to change your air every 3000 miles or twice a year.


  • BLINKER FLUID You knew it existed but, WOW, is this stuff hard to find. 4oz bottle.


  • SYNTHETIC BLINKER FLUID Better yet! 4oz bottle.


  • LIGHT BULB FILAMENTS Why throw away a perfectly good turn signal or stop light bulb when you can just install a new filament? Premium Filaments, made in the USA!


  • MANIFOLD HEAT Yes, your exhaust manifold should be HOT. If it's not, you may need this item. Sold by the pound.


  • STEERING WHEEL GASKETS All SIZES available! Email for specific application.


  • TIE ROD TENSIONER Is your tie rod limp? Tension it with T-50!


  • ALTERNATOR BATTERIES (4 required, replace them all!)


  • FAN BELT BUCKLES Specify brass or chrome. Gold available special order.


  • MUFFLER BEARINGS


  • MUFFLER BEARING GASKET KITS


  • MUFFLER BEARING MANUAL Print version


  • MUFFLER BEARING MANUAL CD version


  • UNIVERSAL MUFFLER BEARING TOOL KIT


  • MUFFLER BEARING HI TEMP SYNTHETIC LUBE (the only kind we sell!)


  • MOMENTUM (required for tackling some off road obstacles). Sold by the lb-ft/sec


  • MICROSOFT WINDOWS ELIMINATOR If your car or truck begins to run poorly, (long time to start, frequent crashes, etc.), its computer, (ecm, ecu, black box, etc.), may have become infected with this nasty computer virus. This product will safely remove the virus.


  • MIRROR IMAGE FLIPPER FILM Did you know that the images you see in your rear view mirrors are reversed! This is a manufacturing flaw that the auto companies have kept secret for years as the recall would cost BILLIONS! This filmcan be cut and placed over any mirror to correct the image. Now you'll be able to read signs in the rear view mirror!
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