When it’s time to choose a vise for your workshop, the choices can be overwhelming. Do you need cast iron or steel? Swivel base or fixed? How large is too large? And what does heavy duty really mean? For professionals and more serious DIY fabricators and mechanics, this last question […]
Shop Equipment
How to Maintain a Scroll-Type Air Compressor
If you’ve ever experienced the near-silent operation of a scroll-type air compressor, you know what a game-changer they can be. Whether you’re using one at home or in a business environment, they make a very attractive alternative to noisy piston-style compressors. Not only are they quiet, but they’re also capable […]
9 Things to Look for When Choosing a Blast Cabinet
A staple of any automotive restoration shop is a media blast cabinet. In fact, most professional restorers have multiple blast cabinets, each set up with different media for different materials. But even DIY restoration enthusiasts on a budget can easily set up their home garage for media blasting. The key […]
A Hitch-Mounted Vise is Like Having an Off-Road Workbench
It’s a fact of life – not everything that needs fixing can be dragged into the garage. Sometimes you have to take the tools to where the work is. And when you’re making heavy, awkward repairs, there’s no substitute for a bench vise. That’s where a hitch-mount vise like the […]
How to Use an Ultrasonic Parts Cleaner for Restoration Perfection
Of all the special tools required for a good mechanical restoration, few are as indispensable as an ultrasonic parts cleaner. This type of cleaner works by producing high-frequency sound waves that create cavitation bubbles in a cleaning solution. These bubbles implode near the surface of the objects being cleaned, effectively […]
How To Run Compressed Air in Your Home Garage for Restoration
Tackling a vehicle restoration in your home garage is as much about enjoying the journey as it is the final product. Nevertheless, without the right tools and equipment, that enjoyment can quickly turn to frustration and setbacks. Of all the things that can improve your odds, a properly installed compressed […]
Organize Your Workshop to Maximize Your Projects
We’ve all been told to make a place for everything and put everything in its place. My dad was always big win this, and it’s sound advice, really. After all, how can you put something away if you don’t know where “away” is? And the older we get, the more […]
Six Tools To Cleanly and Accurately Cut Sheet Metal
Whether you’re making a patch panel or fabricating a new design from scratch, cutting sheet metal can be a challenge. The key to a good, clean cut is having the right tool for the project. Some tools are great for long, straight cuts while others are made specifically for making […]
Why Scroll Compressors Are Quieter Than Conventional Air Compressors
No home workshop is truly compete without an air compressor. But spend any time working around one and you may soon find yourself wishing you didn’t rely on air to run so much of your shop. To put it mildly, conventional reciprocating-piston air compressors tend to be loud. Not a […]