Tools and Tips of the Trade

SEMA TOOLS & EQUIPMENT NEW PRODUCTS
Tools and Tips of the Trade
T
Boosting the Bottom Line With Gear
That Gets the Job Done
he SEMA Show is the once-a-year epicenter for automotive
accessories. It’s more than 1,500 exhibitors offering their best
products and services to more than 100,000 attendees. The
must-see attraction for many is the custom, one-of-a kind
vehicles on display throughout the Las Vegas Convention Center. For others, however, the real eye candy is getting a look at the tools
and equipment that builders are using to create those masterpieces. In
2009, 23,191 buyers went to Las Vegas specifically interested in tools and
equipment. These buyers found 107 exhibitors, registering 32 products in
the New Products Showcase and media/buyers scanned those entries
1,395 times. Jason Fennessey from Speedlife Motorsports in Andover,
Massachusetts, attended the 2009 SEMA Show for the first time ever, looking for opportunities.
“We specialize in Audi and Volkswagen parts. I’m looking around for tools
or anything I haven’t seen before,” said Fennessey. “This is my first time to
the SEMA Show, and the New Products Showcase is very cool. I like the
way it’s laid out by categories, and I’m amazed at all the things I didn’t
know about.”
Garage Equipment Supply
Dannmar MaxJax
877-432-6627
www.dannmar.com
PN: MaxJax
This portable two-post lift is perfect for
low-clearance ceilings without permanently taking up a vehicle lane. Set it up
in 15 minutes, and roll it into the corner
when not in use.
Astro Pneumatic Tool Company
Seven-Piece Metric Split Box Ratcheting Wrench Set
800-221-9705
www.astrotools.com
PN: 7125
Chrome-moly steel heads for maximum
strength. Open-ended ratcheting action
wrench provides the functionality and
access of an open-end wrench with the
ease and speed of a box ratcheting wrench.
Includes 10 mm, 12 mm, 13 mm, 14 mm,
17 mm, 19 mm and 22 mm. Patented.
Bossco International
Corp.
Hi-Beam First Ever Light
Wrenches
858-391-9219
www.bosscointernational.com
PN: 207
First-ever light wrench.
Granite Digital/Save A Battery
Better Tools & Fasteners
Grip-Tite Super Wrenches SAE Six-Piece Set
866-576-3216
www.mygriptite.com
PN: 141
The ultimate wrenches for tightening good bolts and nuts and removing
rounded, rusted and damaged bolts
and nuts.
Cherokee Spark Plug Boot Puller
Sparkplug Boot Puller
269-382-0490
www.cherokeespark.com
PN: 94922-37750
Efficiently removes the plug wire boot
from the sparkplug in one simple step
without breaking the boot.
Charger, Maintainer, Tester
510-471-6442
www.saveabattery.com
PN: 1702
Compact, simple and accurate. This
microprocessor-controlled device extends
battery life, restores weak batteries and
tests for battery quality.
Homier Distributing Co. Inc.
One-Ton High-Quality Folding Aluminum Ramp and
Tailgate Extender
260-359-6761
www.homier.com
PN: 7586
Heavy-duty folding aluminum loading
ramp/tailgate extender.
www.semanews.com 53
SEMA n TOOLS & EQUIPMENT NEW PRODUCTS
Z-Calz
Magnetic and Decal Toolbox Label Kits-70/Kit Black & Blue
909-225-2868
www.zcalz.com
PN: ZMTK-70 BkBl
Find your tools fast with Z-Calz magnetic and decal toolbox
label kits. Each kit includes 70 individual magnets or decal
toolbox labels.
SpringTools
PDQ Precision Inc.
Mini-Max Aqueous/Waterless Cleaner
858-581-6370
www.minimaxclener.com
PN: 6609-
Mini-max cleaners convert cold water
to high-pressure steam vapor instantly.
This vapor penetrates all areas, dries
instantly and evaporates leaving
no waste-water stream.
Quint Measuring Systems
Port-A-Cool LLC
RapidAir Products
Vertical Tank
936-598-5651
www.port-a-cool.com
PN: PACJS1600
The Jetstream 1600 includes standardfeature one-piece rotational-molded
housing that eliminates leaks and rust;
premium-quality Kuul Pads
cooling media.
Open-End Ratchet Wrench
925-952-9484
www.quintmeasuring.com
PN: 56049
Open-end ratchet wrench.
Aluminum Air Outlet
800-954-3310
www.rapidairproducts.com
PN: D8101
Presenting a higher-flow-rate compressed
air outlet. The 1/2-inch NPT ports allow
this outlet to provide great looks and
enhanced performance. Use with our
flexible 1-inch i.d. Duratec tubing.
HDIDS609
800-356-6966
www.springtools.com
PN: HDIDS609
Heavy-duty precision 39-piece 1/4-inch
hammerless identification stamping system. Works on all mild-steel applications
and easy to align. Power of the spring.
SpringTools
IPTS108
800-356-6966
www.springtools.com
PN: IPTS108
The Pro-Driver’s unique design can easily
re-coin damaged, corroded or stuck fastener heads. The 5,000 lbs. of impact can
also shock corroded or damaged fastener
threads for easy removal.
Port-A-Cool LLC
Packa50
936-598-5651
www.kuulaire.com
PN: PACKA45
KuulAire 45 features pushbutton
controls, three speed settings,
automatic-swing louvers, timer, remote
control and more. Affordable, all-natural
evaporative cooling for home, office
and light industrial applications.
54 August 2010 SEMA News
Riggio Innovations Inc.
Ratcheting Retractable Line Wrench
215-866-8633
www.riggioinnovations.com
PN: rlw1
The Riggio ratcheting, retractable line
wrench is the alternative to traditional
line wrenches.
Three-In-One
Nissan 370Z Carbon-Fiber Front Bumper Cover
516-986-3822
www.evo-r.net
PN: 370002
Carbon-fiber front bumper cover for ’09
and newer Nissan 370Zs.
SEMA n TOOLS & EQUIPMENT NEW PRODUCTS
Inventz World
Impact Head
905-341-2300
www.inventzworld.com
PN: IHW001
The Impact Head turns any rotary drill
into a powerful, dual-function impact
wrench and impact driver.
Three-In-One
Prevost Corp.
PS1 Safety Coupler
800-845-7220
www.prevostusa.com
PN: ESI 071201
The world’s first safety coupler to utilize
a single push to vent downstream pressure
and release the plug. The user has to
perform just one action—push the button; no mistakes possible.
Induction Innovations Inc.
Mini-Ductor II
877-688-9633
www.theinductor.com
PN: MD-700
LM-200
888-473-5378
www.go-qsp.com
PN: LM-200
The LM-200 is an air-powered mobile tire
lift that assists technicians with lifting
heavy tire and wheel assemblies.
Tool Trend:
—L.J. Lobsinger Jr., National
Sales and Marketing Manager
Specialty Auto Parts USA Inc.
56 August 2010 SEMA News
Carbon-fiber rear diffuser for Nissan 370Zs
and 350Zs. Made of
3K cross-weave carbon
fiber. Optional
LED center bumper
stop light.
QSP
A second-generation flameless heat system;
release seized hardware and other mechanical components. Turns hardware red hot if
needed without the need for torches.
“The acquisition costs
for specialized tools and
equipment are coming
down to more realistic
levels due to increased
efficiencies in manufacturing and distribution, thus allowing more
enthusiasts access to
these tools and equipment. In the past, many
specialized tools were
available only through
one company at inflated
prices. Now, with several companies competing for the business,
the enthusiast has more
than one choice.”
Nissan 370Z 350Z CarbonFiber Rear Diffuser
With LED Light
516-986-3822
www.evo-r.net
PN: 370009
Three-In-One
Nissan 350Z 370Z Titanium Intake System
516-986-3822
www.evo-r.net
PN: 370008
This is the piece that connects from
the throttle body to the EVO-R
stainless air filter. Improved throttle
response compared to the stock
piece that connects the throttle body
and air box. Give cooler air to your
engine. Made of titanium.
TR Tools
Tite-Reach
712-707-9324
www.tite-reach.com
PN: tr38v1
An extension wrench that works with
a 3/8-inch socket set. Can be used with 0º
of arc in tight spaces.
Ultrasonic Power
Corporation
Uni-Quick LLC
Universal Radiator Adapter
800-983-3521
www.uniquickusa.com
The Universal radiator adapter
works on 100% of car and lighttruck cooling systems, regardless of
size or style, eliminating the need for
multiple adapters.
Cleaning Generator With Transducer
Status Indicator
815-235-6020
www.upcorp.com
PN: 53-40-110
Model 5400 ultrasonic
cleaning generator with a
patent-pending transducer
monitoring circuit that
indicates the operational
condition of the transducers
that it is powering.
Wera Tools
Tool Trend:
Zyklop
800-267-5541
www.weratools.com
PN: 3596
This ratchet features five
locking head positions
and a free-turning sleeve,
which makes it the fastest
ratchet in the world.
Z Wrench
TCA Toolstorage
A unique new design of ratcheting open
end combination wrench. New design
incorporates a moving pawl that grips
the fastener tightly but restricts slippage.
Torque is rated at 130% of ANSI spec for
a standard combination wrench.
TCA HD 41-series powdercoated
1.0-1.5mm double walls; 100-lb.
sliders (double sets on 4-inch-high
drawers); 660-lb.casters; keylocked; rubber drawer liners; and
gas shocks on chest lid.
Z Wrench
214 497 1096
www.zwrench.com
PN: 54057
TCA HD 41-Inch Tool Storage Solution
604-882-0709
www.tcatoolstorage.com
PN: TCA HD 41-inch set
“In our world, everybody
is looking for tools
and equipment that
saves labor. Our piping
goes up twice as fast
as the traditional
copper and black
pipe installations.
Someone doing a new
facility or retrofitting
a building is always
looking for labor savings.
We’re now selling a rolled
piping product that can
be shipped via UPS.
It comes in up to a
1-inch diameter, and
we can overnight it
anywhere in the country
for next-day delivery.”
—Andy Remus, Owner
RapidAir Products
www.semanews.com 57
SEMA n TOOLS & EQUIPMENT
Tool Trend:
Z-Calz
Magnetic and Decal Toolbox Label
Kits-70/Kit Black & Green
909-225-2868
www.zcalz.com
PN: ZMTK-70BkGn
Find your tools fast.
Each kit includes 70
individual magnets
or decal toolbox labels.
Z-Calz
SE Tools
Nylon Sparkplug Boot Puller
810-664-2981
www.setools.com
PN: 824N
Magnetic and Decal Toolbox Label Kits-70/Kit
Stainless & Blue
909-225-2868
www.zcalz.com
PN: ZMTK-70SsBl
No shock sparkplug boot puller pliers.
All-nylon construction, lightweight, compact, non-conductive and cost effective for
technicians. Made in the USA.
Find your tools fast with Z-Calz
magnetic and decal toolbox label kits.
Each kit includes 70 individual magnets or decal toolbox labels.
“In the welding
segment, features such
as Miller’s Auto-Set have
really made setting up
and using our
welding products
even easier for the
automotive enthusiast.
In the case of MIG
welding, the operator
simply selects the wire
diameter and the
material thickness he
or she is welding on, and
the machine makes sure
you have the ideal setting.
There’s no need for
fine tuning or welding
on test material.”
—Jon Ertmer,
Segment Manager
Miller Electric Mfg. Co.
Don’t Waste this Crisis:
Are You CreAting Your Preferred future?
eighteen months ago SeMA commissioned three groundbreaking specialty-equipment industry
research reports from the highly-regarded Center for Automotive research (CAr) to assist SeMAmember companies with their business planning, product and vehicle technology forecasting:
• The Specialty-Equipment Company of the Future: Guideposts for Technology Forecasting and
Strategic Planning identifies critical scenario planning considerations you should be aware of.
• Powertrain Forecast and Analysis: What is Coming and What are the Implications for
the Specialty-Equipment and Performance Aftermarket Industry addresses the rapidly
changing powertrain
plans and
vehiclle architectures
of the oeMs for the u.S. Market.
The Specialty Equipment
Automotive
Company
of the Future:
for Strategic
Planning
•Guideposts
The Major Determinants
of U.S.
Automotive Demand: Factors Driving the U.S.
Automotive Market and Their Implications for Specialty-Equipment Suppliers
presents an analysis of the economic drivers of the u.S. automotive
market and their potential impact on SeMA-member companies.
The Specialty Equipment Automotive
Company of the Future:
the line between
high performance and mediocrity is often a red line.
Guideposts for Strategic Planning
Contact John waraniak at johnw@sema.org
by
by
go to www.SeMA.org/CAr And get
StArted on Your winning PlAn
September 2008
News
58 August 2010 SEMA