Today I will be taking your car related questions. The topics we cover are, car repair, DIYs on cars, Volkswagen, mechanic’s tools, and anything car related. To ask a car question for a show like this, email me Charles(at)Humblemechanic(DOT)com. Be sure to put the phrase “Question for Charles” in the subject. That is the best so you can avoid the spam monster. If you don’t get your question on this show, email it again just to be sure. Everyone has car questions, I am glad to be able to help
Sponsor of the Day
CRP deals in a ton of OE automotive parts. They also make the factory DSG fluid for VW. Having them as a sponsor will give us access to more information about fluids than I would ever get from VW. I am really excited to have them as a resource of information. To learn more about the great products they have, check out CRPAutomotive.com
Become A CrewMember If you like this show. If you get value out of the videos and content that I put out, consider supporting the show by becoming a CrewMember. You will get discounts you can’t get anywhere else, exclusive videos from me, and VW/Audi training manuals. Between the discounts and the training manuals, the CrewMembership can easily pay for itself. Become a CrewMember today
Help Support The Show
Many of you have asked about supporting the show. For that I thank you. For now, the best things you can do are SHARE THE SHOW, and shop with my links on Amazon. You will not spend any more money that you would normally. Here is the Amazon link Humble Mechanic on Amazon or you can check out some recommended tools I have listed below.
Listen to the Show It is finally here! The audio only version of the Humble Mechanic Podcast. So many of you wanted to listen on the go, in the car, working out, and now you can. While I wait for iTunes, Google approval you can listen to the show here on the blog. Once those approvals come, you will be able to subscribe and download the audio podcasts from your favorite place.
As always I love to hear your thoughts. Please post them in the comments section below. Again, if you have a question for a show like this, email me Charles(at)humblemechanic(dot)com with Question for Charles in the subject. Also if you have an idea for a show, contact me via email, or use the contact me form!
Shop vacuum cleaners are not something I get really excited about. I mean its a vacuum right? You use it to suck up things you are going to get rid of in most cases. That being said, having a good wet/dry shop vac at the ready can be a lifesaver. Today we are looking at the Ridgid 12 Gal. 5.0-Peak HP NXT Wet Dry Vac
Disclaimer ~ This post is a paid partnership with The Home Depot. The tools were provided to Humble Mechanic at no charge. Links to products included in this post are affiliate links to The Home Depot. The information listed in product description is either my personal experience, or information provided by tool manufatorer or The Home Depot
The Ridgid Shop Vac has the features you would expect from a shop vac 15ft electrical cord, 7ft hose and a number of accessories that all store on board the vacuum unit. The vacuum comes mostly assembled, requiring a few screws to be put on.
The neat thing about this vacuum is the locking hose connections. The 7ft x 2-1/2″ hose and all the accessories have locking connections. Having a connection that locks is not anything really new. But the way these connects is simple to install and remove. You don’t need to fiddle around with twisting the hose 5 turns, or take your gloves off to disconnect the hose or attachment. Even in cold weather removing an accessory was as simple as a slight twist.
The Ridgid 12 Gal. 5.0-Peak HP NXT Wet Dry Vac comes with 2 extension wands, utility nozzle, wet nozzle, car nozzle and a standard filter VF4000. For most jobs this will get it done. Including the constant vacuuming of sand out of my kiddo’s car seat. I have no idea where that even comes from. There are also a few other filter options. If you want to add a wet filter, or even a HEPA filter, you can do that.
There are two easy ways to empty the vacuum. You can do what it feels like every shop vac ever does, remove the top and empty that way. You can also remove the cap at the bottom and empty that way. Both ways work great, but if you are filling it with liquid, the lower cap is really nice.
Pros of the Ridgid 12 Gal. 5.0-Peak HP NXT Wet Dry Vac
Accessories have easy quick lock
Onboard storage of all included accessories
Several filter options for different jobs
Includes Ridgid LIFETIME warranty
Big On/Off switch can be operated with gloves on
Cons of the Ridgid 12 Gal. 5.0-Peak HP NXT Wet Dry Vac
Unit takes large amount of space when stored
No crevice tool included with unit
Overall this shop vac gives you what you need from a shop vac. IT SUCKS – sorry can’t pass up that dad joke. My only gripe is not so much with this vacuum. It delivers on what you would expect from the tool. I do think that it’s time vacuums like this be battery powered. Now if you are using this as a vacuum for your saw, or other power tools, battery is probably not the best for you. I use this for shop and car clean up, so mobility is important. Eliminating the need to plug in to the wall would set this tool over the top for me.
Today I will be taking your car related questions. The topics we cover are, car repair, DIYs on cars, Volkswagen, mechanic’s tools, and anything car related. To ask a car question for a show like this, email me Charles(at)Humblemechanic(DOT)com. Be sure to put the phrase “Question for Charles” in the subject. That is the best so you can avoid the spam monster. If you don’t get your question on this show, email it again just to be sure. Everyone has car questions, I am glad to be able to help
Sponsor of the Day
CRP deals in a ton of OE automotive parts. They also make the factory DSG fluid for VW. Having them as a sponsor will give us access to more information about fluids than I would ever get from VW. I am really excited to have them as a resource of information. To learn more about the great products they have, check out CRPAutomotive.com
Become A CrewMember If you like this show. If you get value out of the videos and content that I put out, consider supporting the show by becoming a CrewMember. You will get discounts you can’t get anywhere else, exclusive videos from me, and VW/Audi training manuals. Between the discounts and the training manuals, the CrewMembership can easily pay for itself. Become a CrewMember today
Help Support The Show
Many of you have asked about supporting the show. For that I thank you. For now, the best things you can do are SHARE THE SHOW, and shop with my links on Amazon. You will not spend any more money that you would normally. Here is the Amazon link Humble Mechanic on Amazon or you can check out some recommended tools I have listed below.
Listen to the Show It is finally here! The audio only version of the Humble Mechanic Podcast. So many of you wanted to listen on the go, in the car, working out, and now you can. While I wait for iTunes, Google approval you can listen to the show here on the blog. Once those approvals come, you will be able to subscribe and download the audio podcasts from your favorite place.
As always I love to hear your thoughts. Please post them in the comments section below. Again, if you have a question for a show like this, email me Charles(at)humblemechanic(dot)com with Question for Charles in the subject. Also if you have an idea for a show, contact me via email, or use the contact me form!
The mobile mechanic business is one that fascinates me. One of the big issues people have with maintaining a car is time to take it in the shop. This is where mobile mechanics can win big. But how do you market that business? Remember marketing is telling the story. If we approach our marketing strategy like that, it makes the task of marketing much easier.
Become A CrewMember If you like this show. If you get value out of the videos and content that I put out, consider supporting the show by becoming a CrewMember. You will get discounts you can’t get anywhere else, exclusive videos from me, and VW/Audi training manuals. Between the discounts and the training manuals, the CrewMembership can easily pay for itself. Become a CrewMember today
Help Support The Show
Many of you have asked about supporting the show. For that I thank you. For now, the best things you can do are SHARE THE SHOW, and shop with my links on Amazon. You will not spend any more money that you would normally. Here is the Amazon link Humble Mechanic on Amazon or you can check out some recommended tools I have listed below.
Listen to the Show It is finally here! The audio only version of the Humble Mechanic Podcast. So many of you wanted to listen on the go, in the car, working out, and now you can. While I wait for iTunes, Google approval you can listen to the show here on the blog. Once those approvals come, you will be able to subscribe and download the audio podcasts from your favorite place.
As always I love to hear your thoughts. Please post them in the comments section below. Again, if you have any questions, email me Charles(at)humblemechanic(dot)com with Question for Charles in the subject. Also if you have an idea for a show, contact me via email, or use the contact me form!
https://humpodcast1.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/15112722/marketing-mobile-mechanc-.jpg10801920Charleshttps://s3.amazonaws.com/humpodcast1/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/16121050/humble_mechanic_logo_white_200x100.pngCharles2018-10-29 05:45:122018-12-10 05:58:045 Tips for Marketing a Mobile Mechanic Business
As you all know, I have a deal with The Home Depot. They send me some tools each quarter, I check them out and review the ones that make sense for our community. Last quarter I gave away a bunch of the tools from the Prospective program. This quarter I will be giving away a few more tools. Due to timing of SEMA, and the end of the quarter the giveaway will be delayed. Listed below are all the tools included in Q3 Prospective, and some quick thoughts on each.
Disclaimer ~ This post is a paid partnership with The Home Depot. The tools were provided to Humble Mechanic at no charge. Links to products included in this post are affiliate links to The Home Depot. The information listed in product description is either my personal experience, or information provided by tool manufatorer or The Home Depot
The Tools:
Husky LED Lights
First up we have a selection of Husky LED lights. If you have been around the community a while, you know I love lighting solutions. These three Husky lights are a great value. The puck light and the clip light retail for $9.97. The headlamp comes in at $14.97. Now I am not the biggest fan of headlamps for automotive use, but I do use them around the house. I also didn’t like working next to the guy that used the headlamp. Every time he’d look my way I got a face full of light. For the price point, and the fact they come with batteries makes these a good buy.
Makita 18v SubCompact 3/8″ Impact (giveaway soon)
This is a tool I was excited to test out. One of the first tools I ever reviewed for Humble Mechanic was my Makita drill and impact set. This impact retails for $159.00 for the bare tool. The compact design is very appealing. I will say with a max output of 130 lb. ft. of torque, I really expected more. If you already own tools on this battery platform, it may be a good addition to the toolbox. To me, I think buying a tool with the 1/4″ hex is a better buy. It is more universal that being locked into a 3/8″ drive.
Milwaukee M18 Fuel 18v Drill/Impact Set (Giveaway soon)
I truly believe that Milwaukee is the one power tool brand that focuses the most on automotive. Between the electric ratchets, hood lights, 1/2″ mid-torque impacts and more, they are crushing it. This drill and impact driver doesn’t disappoint. I have also said several times, the impact driver was my most used tool in the toolbox. I did a full in-depth review on this set ~ Milwaukee M18 Drill and Impact Driver Combo
Ridgid MEGAmax Brushless 18v Power System
The MEGAmax system is pretty cool. It’s is a power base with interchangeable accessories. My kit came with a really awesome reciprocating saw, a 1/2″ right angle drill, and a 6ah batter with charger. Now I don’t really feel like I am properly qualified to do a review on this product. I can tell you I used the reciprocating saw a lot and it is awesome! The right angle drill worked properly, but didn’t have a tight fit on the base. Also the key for the chuck didn’t stay in the holder. If you are doing rough in work, this may not be an issue. The battery charger has USB ports on it. I really love that feature. One less thing to plug in, I like that
Ryobi ONE+ 18v Bolt Cutters
As an automotive technician, this is not the tool you really want to have to use. As a homeowner, it’s great. Also as someone how like to test out tools that do cool things, I love it. I used it to redo the closet in my office with adjustable wire shelving. That sure beat digging out my old reciprocating saw and dull blades. I also used it to make some guide pins for holding the core support when putting a VW in service position. I am also proud that I haven’t cut thousands of things in half with it.
BLAZE 165 ft. Laser Distance Measurer with Bluetooth and Full Color Display
This laser measuring tool is one of those things that I will use a lot, but never use all the really awesome features it has. Not only does it measure, and function as a level, but you can pair it to your phone and use it to calculate area and volume. This type of tool does have an automotive application. We used one to make measurements on cars when doing driver assist alignments. I really gave this little guy a workout when rearranging my office, and the shop.
Daredevil High Carbon Steel Standard Spade Bit Set (12-Piece)
With each of these tools, I actively look for ways that they can be adapted to the automotive field. Wood drill bits are one that I couldn’t come up with one. But that doesn’t mean we can’t have some fun testing them out. These bits did a great job biting into the wood, and drilling a nice clean hole. Bits like this are typically used during construction to run wiring or conduit. They also make for really neat slow-motion videos.
10-Compartment Deep Pro Small/Deep Parts Organizer
Parts organizers are not new technology. But staying organized as a mechanic is one of the most important pieces of the puzzle. These organizers level up a little because they lock together. This allows to you stack multiple cases together. This type of portable storage is not used a ton in the shop setting. This is more of a mobile thing. Think about plumbers, electricians, mobile techs as the main users of this storage.
I like these organizers from Dewalt. The one thing I would like to change is the ability to latch them together and still be able to have them stand up. The small organizer latches to the larger one in the middle. This prevents the assembly from standing up.
Dewalt 20-Volt MAX Lithium-Ion 21-Degree Cordless Framing Nailer
Like the wood drill bits, a framing nail gun is not the first thing that comes to mind when talking about fixing cars. And this is the first time I have ever used a framing nail gun. I do have a good amount of experience with doing trim work, and using a trim nail gun. I can’t really say if this is a great nail gun or not. But I do think is points to something the automotive industry is seeing. An extreme reduction in pneumatic tools. With battery technology being so good, and getting better all the time, battery tools are quickly replacing pneumatic. Yes the price point of this tool is more than a pneumatic tool. But think about not having to lug an air compressor around to use it. In a shop environment this is not as big of a concern. Other than a few small situations and a couple of tools, battery has become my go to.
Diablo Reciprocating Saw Blades
These saw blades paired up with the Ridgid reciprocating saw. The steel and the demo blades were used for taking a few stock type photos. And the delivered on what they promised. I did put the pruning blade to work for real. In spring we lost a tree due to late frost. My wife was nice enough not to give me a hard time about leaving it up. AKA, I just didn’t get around to it. But that allowed me to test drive this blade for actual pruning. As you might imagine it cut through the tree like a knife though butter
Multi-Max 5 Amp Variable Speed Corded Oscillating Multi-Tool Kit with 28 Accessories
I have owned a good amount of Dremel brand tools over the years. I have also owned one of this type of tool before. It was when the first really hit the consumer market. I forget the brand, but I do remember that old tool being JUNK! You couldn’t use it for more than a minute before the body got so hot, you couldn’t hold it. This little guy on the other hand was great. Super easy to change the heads, plenty of options for accessories, and adjustable speed.
Well that is a wrap. Lots of great tools this quarter. If you noticed I have (giveaway soon) next to a few tools. Once we are on the other side of SEMA, I will do a giveaway similar to the last round. Be sure to sign up for email updates for the tool giveaway. If you don’t already follow me on social, not is your chance. 🙂
https://humpodcast1.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/15112724/thd.jpg10801920Charleshttps://s3.amazonaws.com/humpodcast1/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/16121050/humble_mechanic_logo_white_200x100.pngCharles2018-10-26 07:45:002018-11-08 08:04:32The Home Depot “Prospective” Tool Round Up
Today I will be taking your car related questions. The topics we cover are, car repair, DIYs on cars, Volkswagen, mechanic’s tools, and anything car related. To ask a car question for a show like this, email me Charles(at)Humblemechanic(DOT)com. Be sure to put the phrase “Question for Charles” in the subject. That is the best so you can avoid the spam monster. If you don’t get your question on this show, email it again just to be sure. Everyone has car questions, I am glad to be able to help
Sponsor of the Day
CRP deals in a ton of OE automotive parts. They also make the factory DSG fluid for VW. Having them as a sponsor will give us access to more information about fluids than I would ever get from VW. I am really excited to have them as a resource of information. To learn more about the great products they have, check out CRPAutomotive.com
Become A CrewMember If you like this show. If you get value out of the videos and content that I put out, consider supporting the show by becoming a CrewMember. You will get discounts you can’t get anywhere else, exclusive videos from me, and VW/Audi training manuals. Between the discounts and the training manuals, the CrewMembership can easily pay for itself. Become a CrewMember today
Help Support The Show
Many of you have asked about supporting the show. For that I thank you. For now, the best things you can do are SHARE THE SHOW, and shop with my links on Amazon. You will not spend any more money that you would normally. Here is the Amazon link Humble Mechanic on Amazon or you can check out some recommended tools I have listed below.
Listen to the Show It is finally here! The audio only version of the Humble Mechanic Podcast. So many of you wanted to listen on the go, in the car, working out, and now you can. While I wait for iTunes, Google approval you can listen to the show here on the blog. Once those approvals come, you will be able to subscribe and download the audio podcasts from your favorite place.
Join me as I take your automotive questions on:
Viewer Car Questions ANSWERED ~ Audio Podcast Episode 244
As always I love to hear your thoughts. Please post them in the comments section below. Again, if you have a question for a show like this, email me Charles(at)humblemechanic(dot)com with Question for Charles in the subject. Also if you have an idea for a show, contact me via email, or use the contact me form!
Today we review Milwaukee M18 Drill and Impact Driver Combo. This drill and impact kit comes with the tools, 2 5ah batteries, a charger for m18 and m12, and a carrying case. The impact tool was my most used tool as an automotive mechanic. Both tools have great power and brushless motors. It also doesn’t hurt that I have a ton of other Milwaukee tools, and this set fits very nicely into the collection. Thanks to Home Depot for providing these tools.
Become A CrewMember If you like this show. If you get value out of the videos and content that I put out, consider supporting the show by becoming a CrewMember. You will get discounts you can’t get anywhere else, exclusive videos from me, and VW/Audi training manuals. Between the discounts and the training manuals, the CrewMembership can easily pay for itself. Become a CrewMember today
Listen to the Show It is finally here! The audio only version of the Humble Mechanic Podcast. So many of you wanted to listen on the go, in the car, working out, and now you can. While I wait for iTunes, Google approval you can listen to the show here on the blog. Once those approvals come, you will be able to subscribe and download the audio podcasts from your favorite place.
As always I love to hear your thoughts. Please post them in the comments section below. Again, if you have any questions, email me Charles(at)humblemechanic(dot)com with Question for Charles in the subject. Also if you have an idea for a show, contact me via email, or use the contact me form!
Ridgid MEGAmax Brushless 18v Power System
