Cornwell Tool Show - Dallas, TX

What else is new?

Another weekend, another tool show. This time it was the Cornwell Tools Rally in Dallas. Everyone loves choppers, and these Cornwell dealers are no different.

Spoke with a lot of dealers last weekend and it was great to meet so many people who truly love going to work every day.

That's Shane Sutton on the LH side, he's been a Cornwell dealer for a year and a half in Oklahoma. Look closer to see what he's carrying - it looks like the latest issue of TechShop magazine! And that's Bill Lagoni from Parker, CO admiring that bright orange Cornwell tool box.

I'll have more photos posted next week, but right now I've got to pack up and get going to another tool show. This weekend, Altoona, PA.

Another Tool Show!

That's right, it's Thursday afternoon and tomorrow morning it's off to Dallas for another national tool show. I'm sure I'll see many of the same faces from the last tool show, but I always look forward to meeting one new person or seeing some new tools. I'll take lots of pictures and bring back lots of product information to share with you next week.

Here's something new I learned this week about Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems and the TREAD Act. See more information on TIA's website: http://www.tireindustry.org/government. There are already more than 7 million vehicles (model years 2006 and 2007) on the road that are outfitted with tire pressure monitoring systems. Even though the tires on these cars are probably too new to need replacement, you still may be faced with having to work on them - due to low inflation or for other reasons. This means, you need to know how to inflate, deflate, and change these tires without destroying the TPMS. And guess what, it's a little trickier than it used to be, it's going to take a little bit more time than it used to, and you're going to have to be a little more careful. Because no one wants to have to replace a $200-$500 TPMS that accidentally broke during tire service. Plus, you will need some new tools.

More on this later.

More from the Tool Show

For some reason, I've been having difficulty loading in photos from the show. So, I'm forced to provide pictures from a different perspective. No tools involved at all.

Thank you Clarence, for helping me to start the week off right.

And thank you Joe, for showing me how to take nighttime pictures without touching the shutter release.

And Dan, well, thanks for telling that fabulous story about your shoe size again. It never fails to crack me up.

Singing the Flat Rate Blues

Here's a note that was forwarded to one of our editors by Tony Molla, VP of Communications at ASE. I've deleted the e-mail address for the original writer, because I've not asked if I can show it. But he raises a valid point, and it is one that many technicians have written to me about. However, the majority of technicians that contact me are from independent repair shops. It is interesting to note that this technician works for a new car dealership.

Please let me know your experiences and your expectations. E-mail me at bskove@babcox.com


-----Original Message----- Sent: Wednesday, March 14, 2007 9:48 PMTo: Web MasterSubject: Downward Trends
I am writing only to ask for an article consideration. I believe some research should be done on the downward trend on the manufactures labor times and how they are affecting the quality of automotive repairs. I have been a technician for 25 years, an ASE Master with L1, GM A Tech and Tech with Mercedes, And Volvo and other makes and am finding that we are pressured more and more on CSI and paid less to diagnose and repair, actually the particular high end line I work with now diagnosis is on a pay menu per trouble code (if there is one present), most of which pay nothing anyway. Is this how it is going to be? This is the main reason why Techs rush through diagnosis and incorrectly fix the car causing poor CSI scores and parts audits. The dealership I am working for gets a big chunk of the customer and manufactures dollar, the Techs get only a meager percentage of that and we are always the ones at fault when a car has a repeat problem. Looking around I see more and more frustrated Techs in this industry, they want to be treated with respect and have the pay that is equal to their training and expertise. Plumbers get paid 4 times as much per hour than I do, does that make them more skilled?, Absolutely not. So why are they not willing to pay skilled people for quality work?, because car sales are down due to the brand specific customer does not want to buy that brand anymore because the Tech no longer gets paid to find or repair the problem so the problems with that car never get fixed. Maybe it is more cost effective to just throw parts at it and cross your fingers! I am sure this topic has already raised a few eyebrows over the past few years but the time is now to fix it before the trend hits rock bottom. Thanks, sincerely (name withheld)

What Keeps You Up at Night?

Someone asked me that in a business situation yesterday and I thought, well, right now I'm trying to wrap up a relative's estate and I'm in a serious time bind as deadlines are involved. It doesn't keep me up at night, but it's been waking me up early every morning this week and last. Because the deadline for filing in Probate Court is Monday. And today is Thursday. And I thought to myself, what does this have to do with Tools?

If you're running a shop or turning a wrench or selling tools or making tools, one thing we all have in common is taxes. We all know what the other thing is. My father-in-law died last April and we're finally wrapping up all these loose ends. And it really hit me last night, is this what I'm working for? For someone to file a bunch of paperwork with a bunch of strangers, a year after I die? I don't know. It's just a weird feeling to be doing this, thinking that once a person's gone - they're gone. We all face it. And I wonder, how many technicians or shop owners plan for that day? My father-in-law's death finally prompted me and my husband to create wills so at least our children will be taken care of. How many of you have thought about creating a will but haven't gotten around to it? If you have children and/or a spouse, and even a little bit of net worth, you owe it to them to at least draft a will. If you have a lot of net worth or you own a shop or some trucks, you're going to need more than a will.

Most important lessons I've learned from this whole endeavor -

1 - I will let someone know what my plans are.
2 - I will keep good records and LET SOMEONE KNOW WHERE THEY ARE KEPT
3 - I will keep more than one copy of legal documents. One copy will be kept with my lawyer or finance guy, one copy will be in the house for my spouse and kids, and one will be kept with a friend or family member.

Save your family some grief - even if you don't think it will happen to you for at least another 30 or 40 years. Plan now. It's a pain to those you leave behind if you don't.

And now, because this topic is a little depressing, I'll leave you with five of my favorite English subtitles that were actually used in films made in Hong Kong. They crack me up. (Say quickly and with a slight accent, think "Godzira")

1 - You always use violence. I should have ordered glutinous rice chicken.
2 - You daring lousy guy.
3 - Who gave you the nerve to get killed here?
4 - Beware! Your bones are going to be disconnected.
5 - I have been scared sh--less too much lately.

Tool Show Recovery Time

Just got back late last night from a major tool show in the state that is furthest from my hometown, Hawaii. Before you ooh and aah over the destination, let me tell you, after working a full day at the show, the return trip took 13 hours from airport to airport to airport. But the show was worth the travel time. Besides, it wasn't so bad to leave a warm tropically sunny island to return to a snow-ravaged, rain-dropped Ohio. And it's always good to get home, isn't it?

A couple of key things that came out of the show should be of interest to you. Everyone involved is interested in bringing new INNOVATIVE products to market. The idea is to develop tools that improve technician productivity, not just provide a tool with a new colored handle. Manufacturers and distributors alike are always on the lookout for those products that bring true innovation and can add value for the technician. Everyone, from manufacturer, to distributor, to professional technician (and anyone in-between) is interested in reducing flat rate times, making more money, being more safe, improving ergonomics. Investing in tools that help the technician accomplish all these is truly an investment in the future.

In addition to all the talk about innovation, there were a lot of cool new tools there as well to physically represent innovation. Companies like Lisle, A&E, Brush Research, Chicago Pneumatic, GearWrench, Innovative Products, Ingersoll-Rand, Makita, Mastercool, Mayhew, Mechanics Time Savers, OTC, Raytek, Schley Products, Steck Manufacturing, Streamlight, Tracer Products, Vacula, and so many more represented the best of US manufacturers. Many of these companies had their tables covered with new and innovative products. (I'm a little leery about mentioning certain manufacturers, because it's easy to leave someone out and I know I'll forget someone - so if I missed you, I'm sorry.)

Several suppliers had samples of new handles. Now, handles are not exciting. And, we're talking about screwdriver handles, pry bar handles, ratchet handles. Doesn't sound like much does it? I'd heard about the new handles on all these tools before, but this was my first time to physically hold them and I have to say - these guys have done a great job. So, technicians - be on the lookout for some really well-thought-out new designs in handles for common tools. The grips are comfortable for most size hands. Certain design features are unique to the product - meaning the manufacturer took into account those technicians that use their tools properly, and improperly, when they designed the new handles. So, look for these new products at your local tool store or mobile tool distributor and let me know what you think.

A National Resource for Technicians and Shop Owners

Mitch Schneider, Director of Car Care Professional Network (CCPN), an AAIA segment, was in our office today to preview his vision of the CCPN and what it can do for you. Mitch has over 40 years experience as a technician and shop owner, many of those years spent learning and working alongside his father in California. For the past 20 years, Mitch has become more well-known outside of California, as he has added writing and public speaking to his resume. Late last year, he became the first Director of the Car Care Professional Network. He stopped in today to meet with a group of editors and publishers.

In a nutshell, CCPN hopes to be your national resource and be your voice to the nation. CCPN recognizes the importance of your shop and your technicians to the economy of the U.S. and hopes to help you realize how valuable you truly are to our economy. Their mission is to provide the means for you to reach out - to other technicians, to other shops, to manufacturers and distributors, and to the government. CCPN wants to speak for you.

If you are interested in finding out more about this organization, please go to www.carcarepros.org.

Please understand this is not an advertisement nor is it an endorsement for this organization. I just think it would be worth a minute of your time to check it out.