If you've got a pile of spray cans from products like penetrating oil with the nozzle broken off, you can tap them with a piercing freon tap that has a hose attached. Drain them into a container and then you can pour them into a squirt can. Obviously, one should wear...

THE FREE NICKEL TOUR Often a new customer will stop by saying, "So-and-So at XYZ Garage told me to stop by and ask for the 'Free Nickel Tour'. I'm interested in having a high-performance engine built." I have found this too be far more productive marketing than...

IT’S BETTER TO SUCK AT YOUR JOB Sometimes, it is better to suck at your job instead of using an air blow gun to remove debris or chips away from your work piece. Using a vacuum will keep your work area cleaner along with reducing air borne irritants and possible eye...

HOW BIG IS YOUR WARRANTY "90-DAY WARRANTY"... "1-YEAR WARRANTY"... "LIMITED LIFETIME WARRANTY"... Many shop owners hand write the coverage on the customer's invoice. But what does it cover? Does this protect your shop? A written warranty provides benefits for you and...

THAT SMELL Many shops are now using CNC machining centers, with coolant tanks/sumps. With time, the coolant will grow a foul-smelling bacterium, especially during the warmer summer months. The cure for foul-smelling is "Coolant Deodorizing Tablets", available from...

CLEARLY CURTAINS Due to a recent addition of shop equipment, all our machines were moved to make room. To help keep close or neighboring machines from getting each other dirty from flying debris, I used an inexpensive shower liner as a wall between them. Hung with a...