CARRIAGE WEST EQUIPMENT — KEY ELEMENTS

No car workshop could exist without proper equipment. The equipment to which we will equip the workshop should depend on the type of work we intend to do, on how often we intend to spend time in it, and whether the work in the workshop will be amateur, semi-professional or fully professional. Even small workshops should be equipped with equipment that will enable professional implementation of various repairs. In this article, we will give a little insight into the subjectcar workshop equipment, focusing primarily on the most important tools that are most often used by car mechanics.

In most auto workshops, workers can use at least a few sets of tools arranged in suitcases and boxes, where you can find, among others, a variety of screwdrivers, socket keys, imbus keys, flat-eye keys, Torx, pliers, oil filter keys. The workshop equipment also includes hammers, compressors, straighteners, impact keys, flashlights, earthworms and many other more specialized tools.

The workshop must not missRoad lifting machines

Car lifts will appreciate every fresh start mechanic and professional. Appropriate, robust and quality equipment will facilitate our work and reduce the risk of failure. We can divide the jacks into several types such as: hydraulic jacks frog, pole jacks, trapezoid jacks, snowmen. Of the larger ones are column, scissor, canal, plate jacks. The choice of appropriate lifter should depend on the working frequency, location of use and weight of the car.

Hydraulic jacks frog

The simplest version of lifts are lifts of typefrog. They can be recommended to anyone who has any contact with the repair of the car. They're more comfortable than trapezoid jacks. They can be used to replace a wheel on the way when we catch a rubber or for occasional repairs or seasonal wheel replacements. They also work as an auxiliary lift for lifting, e.g. suspension system when replacing pins or steering rods.

Of a cylinder capacity exceeding 1000 cm3

Bar jacks (bottle jacks) are characterized by small dimensions, low weight and high lifting capacity – up to 50T. Small size facilitates mobility. In combination with low emergency lifts, these are the ideal tool for any workshop.

Air jacks of the snowman type (bag)

Lifts of this type are connected to the compressor. They're pretty big, which makes them stable. With the wheels attached, you can easily maneuver them. They can lift one wheel or the whole side of the car. The most common are with a load capacity of 3000 to 4500 kg. There are also snowballs with a load of much larger 6 to 8 t. They are characterized by rapid lifting and lowering (if appropriate pressure is applied).

Column jacks

They are equipped with columns. Two column lifts are the most common. There are also single column, four column lifts. 2 columns are most commonly used for all types of workshop repair, single column repair, and 4 columns can be used to set geometry or lift heavier cars. From two-column lifts we can distinguish between automatic and semi-automatic. The difference is that in vending machines, collapses are released by means of electromagnets, and in semi-automats, you should release the collapse manually before leaving the lift.

Scissor lifts

In the absence of space for a two column lift in the workshop, a scissor lift may be used. They have a smaller design than two column, but no less possibilities. Low lifting and high lifting lifts can be distinguished. The former raise to 100 cm maximum and are mobile (you can move them). The latter can be raised to a maximum of 200 cm, but unfortunately they are permanently mounted on or allowed under the floor. Another advantage of the "scissors" is that some of them can be used to set geometry.

Channel jacks

Channel lifters are specific lifters that can only be mounted if you have a channel. This lever can be moved along the canal and replaced to where we need it. The most common are hydraulic canal lifters, although air also meets. The hydraulics are more valued because of the comfort of work and less emergency.

Hammer “No robot without hammer”

Hammer should not only be in every workshop but also in every house. With a hammer, we can solve many problems. We can distinguish among others: rubber hammers, metal hammers, masonry hammers or precision hammers. At least one strong, solid hammer is the base of the workshop.

Compressors

With the compressor we can power most garage tools such as drill, impact key, sander, grinder and many other tools. It is worth investing in a compressor with more efficiency, especially when we are planning to plug in a sander. Compressors can be powered by 230V network voltage and from 3-phase sockets (400V). For amateur and occasional use, ideal applications can be found oil-free compressors. The oil device is characterized by a much more complex construction but thanks to the use of oil-lubricated pump we achieve much better parameters and extend the life of the device. We have to remember to exchange oil regularly. In addition to the efficiency, a large tank is important, it is worth looking for compressors with a capacity of about 100-200 litres, a maximum pressure of about 10-12 bar and a capacity of about 300-400 l/min. The more often and harder the compressor will be operated, the more robust the equipment with better parameters is worth buying.

Workshop trolleys, all kinds of keys

Without the keys, we can't make any repairs in the car. The base are socket and flat-eye keys. They can be purchased in suitcases or on sheets that can be hung on the wall. The socket keys can be divided due to the entry on the rattle. The smallest is 1/4", mean 3/8" and large 1/2". In addition to those for heavier work, e.g. with suspension, where screws are often sealed and in larger sizes, keys are used for entry 3/4 or 1".

All these types of keys, and even more, can be arranged in a workshop trolley. We have the opportunity to buy an empty cart and order in it tools that we already have in the workshop or buy ready with equipment. We will buy empty carts from 500-600 zł, while the quality of their performance can leave a lot to be desired. We recommend carts that start from 1000 zł up. They are more solidly made – the thickness of the sheet is much larger than in the cheapest trolleys, the wheels are more solidly made, the drawer slides do not fly as if they were to fall apart at first use.

We can purchase trolleys with equipment from 1600 zł. They are dedicated to amateur work in the home workshop. We will find in it all the basic tools needed for the work: socket keys, flat-eyed keys, screwdrivers, bits, pliers, bent keys to difficult accessible places. The trolleys of more reputable companies with more tools cost more, respectively. These include Richmann trucks (formerly Corona), Sata, Asta. For Richamnn you can choose the equipment of the trolley according to your own needs – it is possible to select each insert separately.

Straighteners

Rectifiers are invaluable devices, especially in periods of frost and when we forget to turn off lights or radios in the car. We recommend automatic rectifiers that supply the voltage and charging current themselves, allow us to check the battery charging status in the car and motorcycle and switch to charging 6/12 V batteries. It can also be provided with a starter straightener, which, in addition to charging the battery, will be able to start the car in the case of a unloaded battery. For commercial and larger vehicles, we recommend a rectifier with a starting current of at least 600A.

Impact wrenches

The impact key can be powered by compressed air from the compressor, either battery or electrically from the power socket. If we care about the force and big moment of the impact key, it is worth choosing pneumatic keys that have power above 1000 Nm. Battery keys usually have a power level of 100-200 Nm and an electric power of about 900- 1200 Nm. A battery key is enough for light work. Key prices can range from 200 to even 3000 PLN. The most popular pneumatic key, which has an affordable price and is also strongSatra key 1500 Nm. It is enough for amateur work and vulcanization workshops, where the keys are “not spared”. For more demanding users we recommend keyKS Tools Monster 1690 Nm. It is one of the most powerful keys for 1/2" renowned German company.

Flashlights, lamps, workshop lamps

Flashlights are usually more compact and mobile than workshop lamps, making them easier to maneuver when working in hard to reach, dark places. Some flashlights can be attached to your clothes, some hang or bet. There are also front flashlights that will work perfectly when we have both hands occupied and at the same time we need to illuminate the workspace. We can also distinguish UV flashlights for detecting coolant leaks, or one of the most popular LED flashlights with powerful LEDs with various powers.

Workshop lamps are by far larger light sources most often protected by basket or special housing. The power of workshop lamps is incomparably greater than the power of flashlights, making them shine more and more brightly, but the disadvantage is their size. Compared to LED flashlights, they will not fit in tight spaces of the engine chamber where work is most often done.

Apples

Otherwise called racks, workshop lifts. In the case of light cars we can safely supply our workshop with 2 tons of earthworms, while with heavier cars we can supply 3 tons of mines. It is also worth providing for safety. The hydraulic lift itself should be used only for lifting, but the car should be set on the earthworms after lifting.