Collision Repair Supplement - 0820 - 6

ESSENTIAL TOOLS

Essential tools for both
general and collision repair work
From hand and specialty tools to power and air tools, having multipurpose
tools is beneficial to shops looking to expand their services.
by Kayla Oschmann, Assistant Editor

hether looking to increase
sales or take advantage of
an opportunity within their
service area, there are many reasons
general repair shops may consider
adding collision repair to their list
of services. By already having a
customer base built up, expanding a
shop's services offers many benefits.
No matter the reason to expand,
having the right tools for the job takes
priority. Having the right tools that can
be of service to both general repair and
collision repair applications is key. Multipurpose tools save on space, time, and
most importantly, cost.
Although collision repair often
requires specific tools and equipment
- such as dent pullers or paint stands -
a number of power and air tools, hand
tools, and specialty tools can be used for
both services. Technicians can benefit by
understanding the multipurpose value of
some key products.
Here is a look at some essential tools
for both general repair and collision work.

POWER AND AIR TOOLS
The right power and air tools can take
a lot of grunt work out of both general
and collision repairs. From cutting off
rusted bolts or damaged door panels, to
removing rust or welding seams, being
able to move from one repair to another
with the same tool is essential for technicians. Shops should consider tools that
offer versatility in this category.
"You have to have a cut-off tool,"
says Chris Hirsch, director of retail and
automotive sales for AIRCAT, a division
6 I Collision Repair I August 2020

Photo from AIRCAT

of Florida Pneumatic. "When [a vehicle]
comes in damaged, you're going to cut
material off."
Mark Kelly, product manager for Milwaukee Tool, agrees that a cut-off tool is
ideal. "During service work, sometimes
there are situations when technicians
need to cut into an exhaust pipe, body
panels, or any sort of sheet metal."
Hirsch recommends shops have an
extended reach cut-off tool, a reversible
cut-off tool, and a flex head cut-off tool.
The thin cutting disc on an extended reach cut-off tool is ideal for cutting
material, axles, and anything bent with
a better reach. A reversible cut-off tool
allows the user to redirect the sparks
by changing the direction of the cutting
wheel. A flex head cut-off tool has three
positions, enabling the user to cut at an
angle, he explains.
A die grinder is another essential tool
for both general and collision repairs.
A die grinder is used for various functions such as grinding, sanding, cutting,
and polishing.

An extended reach cut-off tool, such as AIRCAT's
6275-A, is ideal for cutting material, axles, and
anything bent with a better reach.

"[A] right angle die grinder is great for
removing gaskets on things like oil pans
and transmission cases," Kelly says. "You
can also attach a 2-inch cut-off wheel
and use it to cut through body panels
when needed."
Milwaukee Tool's 1/4" Right Angle
Die Grinder, No. 2485-20, is optimized
for 2" accessories and is able to fit in
tight places.
Hirsch also recommends a die grinder, with preference to the right angle die
grinder, because they are mostly used
with sanding accessories. Right angle die
grinders are used for sanding, spot sanding, grinding down welds, and smoothing out and blending materials together,
he says.
AIRCAT offers a 1hp Composite
Angle Die Grinder, No. 6265, which
comes with both 2" and 3" backing pads.
In addition to cut-off tools and die
grinders, Hirsch also lists air saws (for

Collision Repair Supplement - 0820

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