Time Fastener also known as “Time Sert” They are one of the first companies to manufacturer thread repair kits for automotive applications. The company was started back in 1972 in Nevada. It is still located there today. The Time Sert company has consistently added new products to their lineup over the years making their offering one of the largest in the thread repair niche. Continue reading
Electronics are very hard to find that are made in the USA. Visual Optics is a rare find. They are an American company which manufactures their products right here in the USA. They are located in Wynnewood Oklahoma and are one of the first companies that has produced a reasonably priced inspection scope for mechanics and marine use. They have been copied by China and others, however they still continue to stick to their principles and produce their products here in America. Continue reading
SPX’s Robinair is one of the most popular and well known brands when it comes to automotive A/C (Air Conditioning) tools and equipment. Robinair’s manufacturing plant and where they assemble their products is located in Owatonna, Minnesota. Most of Robinair’s products are made in the USA. Although, some components are manufactured by other companies to their specification. Some of these vendors are based in the USA and some outside the US.
Did you know the name Robinair which has “air” in the name was created BEFORE the the owner’s ever thought of producing air conditioning tools and equipment?
Made in America, the Drip Slipper is a large drain pan which covers a large area underneath a car. It easily rolls underneath and can handle up to ten gallons of fluid. Terrific for catching coolant when servicing head gaskets, water pumps etc. This drip pan can even handle very harsh jet fuel which is why they are a popular choice for the United States Air Force. Not every drip pan can cover such a large area and handle fuels and hydraulic fluid. Continue reading
The OTC 1783 is a heavy duty jack stand that withstands 40,000 pounds! Anytime when someone is supporting a vehicle of any size, it’s important to take certain safety precautions. Even more-so, when supporting such heavy weights like the OTC1783 can handle. Heavy duty mechanics working on trucks or heavy earth moving equipment can’t go wrong with this very strong “made in USA”. See the parts list and operating instructions below. Continue reading
Environmentally friendly and Made in the USA! Blitz U.S.A. originally was called U.S. Metal Container which started out selling the traditional, olive-drab jerry can to the U.S. military throughout WWII and after. By 1966, they were the only gasoline can manufacturer still in the USA. In 1967, that same product was painted bright red and sold throughout the country to non military customers. Today, the red jerry can is an American icon. Continue reading
A HeliCoil is a thin coil of wire that that is inserted into a drilled and tapped hole to restore the threads back to the original size threads, this way it accepts the original size bolt. It is typically installed with a special installation tool. Then an installation tang that allows the tool to stop in the insert, is broken and removed. The detailed instructions are linked at the bottom of the article. The Heli-Coil brand is undoubtedly the most common name when it comes to thread repair kits and inserts for repairing damaged, worn, missing or stripped threads. Continue reading
OTC (Owatonna Tool Company) is a large car and truck tool and shop equip. manufacturer. OTC manufactures automotive electronic diagnostic tools like scan tool equipment, automotive fuel system maintenance tools including fuel injector cleaning kits, auto shop equipment like floor jacks, specialty tools designed to do very specific jobs, hand tools like pliers. pullers etc, presses, line up kits, heavy duty tools and hydraulic equipment for the automotive repair industry. Continue reading
SPX car tool division, one of the United States largest automotive tool manufacturers is going to be changing hands. SPX Service Solutions, which is the car tool segment of the SPX corporation is to be sold to Bosch for 1.15 billion dollars by the 2nd quarter of 2012. Bosch is a familiar name to many of us that have worked on cars over the years. Continue reading
Lisle Tool PN 48500 in the image – “Made in America”
American tool companies producing quality tools at competitive prices are hard to find but they are out there. As the owner of an on-line automotive tool company since 2005, see few choices when it comes to American made tools. Continue reading
