NATURE

I've stopped doing semi synthetic completely and only stock full synthetic. Won't be too helpful on the price though, I only do the Valvoline bay boxes as I don't have room for bulk containers and it comes to about $4.25 a qt.

Thanks Frank. That's probably the one I have in my cart, made by Autool. Thanks for the media recommendation.

I'm starting to see more DI carbon problems and reading about chemical solutions causing mechanical issues. Since DI has been around for awhile now, I'm wondering if you guys have any recommendations for a good non vehicle specific walnut blaster. I'm not thinking of anything Harbor Freighty.

I suppose I could look into it but I feel that if the new car stores are doing it this way, it should be fine. My tech is happy with this arrangement and It's kind of a moot point as he only works 40 hours a week anyway. There may come a time when I'll have to look more closely but this is working for now.

I can't say I'm super versed in the law but I can say that most shops(including new car stores) are paying flat rate around here still, and they are not paying time and a half.

I pay flat rate with a punch time guarantee. Where I'm at, hourly employees get paid time and a half over 40 hours but flat rate employees can be paid just hourly rate times hours booked. This way the employee gets paid hourly with a "spiff" for booking over 40 and I don't have to pay time and a half.

I would have preferred a pressure system but I'm not willing to upgrade my compressor to have one. Right now my 24 CFM at 175 PSI is fine for a syphon system. I'll be ordering the Trinco Model 30 today and I'm sure it will be great for what I'll be using it for. I'll purchase a separate reclaimer to keep the dust down.

I haven't seen a negative comment about them anywhere. I have requested a quote for a Model 30 including shipping but I imagine it's going to end up around $2200. I could save about $500 and go with TP Tools Scat Blast which also seem pretty good but there smallest cabinet is 34". I'm a buy once guy.

That's too cheap:) I'm not looking for something that has to be heavily modified to become mediocre. Because it will only be used for small items, I'm looking for something less than 32" wide to save some space as most commercial units also have some sort of dust collection that will need to be accounted for in the footprint. As of right now the Trinco Model 24 is in the lead unless someone changes my mind.

I've decided I need a smallish sandblaster cabinet for cleaning brake caliper brackets. I just sold my brake lathe that never got used to make room for it. If any of you have any advice before I make a purchase, I would love to hear it as I've never even used one. I'm not looking to go too cheap, I want it to work well and not be messy.

I worked at dealers for many years and they always tried to max out every RO. It's very common for customers to come to me complaining that every time they bring a vehicle in for service somewhere else, the shop tries to hit them over the head with a giant upsell list. I do the job the customer asks for and only upsell safety items. I don't have a checklist and never will, though I do understand the thought process.

Snap On has an alignment machine that works with a two post lift. This would alleviate any of my concerns but I haven't heard any reviews on it and I would wait till Hunter came out with one anyway.

I'm closed on weekends and work on Saturdays and Sundays😁

Hi Joe. Congratulations on your initiative. What a great idea to draw upon the experience of an auto shop owners group, I don't think many others in your situation would have thought of it. Hopefully your high school has an automotive program as it's a great way to get introduced to the industry. In my senior year I worked half days at Sears in the automotive department and it gave me the experience to know that it was the right career for me. In my opinion, two years of experience is better than two years of schooling. You can get your ASE certs either way but these are only really needed to get certain jobs and have very little bearing on the practical knowledge required to work in a shop. A person with two years experience is far ahead of a person fresh out of a two year degree, provided the experience was gained at a shop with the right atmosphere. It is indeed a great time to get into this industry or any trade really.

I have a 2019 RAM 2500 and really like it. I had a 2010 Tundra before that and really liked it too, but I needed to switch to a 3/4 for the fifth wheel camper. I have always heard that RAM=comfort, Ford=chassis and GM=powertrain. If I was looking at 1/2 tons again, I would look at Tundra though I swore I would never buy anything turboed that wasn't diesel.