www.semanews.com 53

TOOLS & EQUIPMENT NEW PRODUCTSSEMA

Tools and Tips of the Trade

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 Cen-

ter. 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, look-ing 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.”

T

Astro Pneumatic Tool CompanySeven-Piece Metric Split Box Ratcheting Wrench Set800-221-9705www.astrotools.comPN: 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

Wrenches858-391-9219www.bosscointernational.comPN: 207

First-ever light wrench.

Cherokee Spark Plug Boot PullerSparkplug Boot Puller269-382-0490www.cherokeespark.comPN: 94922-37750

Efficiently removes the plug wire boot from the sparkplug in one simple step without breaking the boot.

Garage Equipment SupplyDannmar MaxJax877-432-6627www.dannmar.comPN: MaxJax

This portable two-post lift is perfect for low-clearance ceilings without perma-nently taking up a vehicle lane. Set it up in 15 minutes, and roll it into the corner when not in use.

Granite Digital/Save A BatteryCharger, Maintainer, Tester510-471-6442www.saveabattery.comPN: 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 Extender260-359-6761www.homier.comPN: 7586

Heavy-duty folding aluminum loading ramp/tailgate extender.

Better Tools & FastenersGrip-Tite Super Wrenches SAE Six-Piece Set866-576-3216www.mygriptite.comPN: 141

The ultimate wrenches for tighten-ing good bolts and nuts and removing rounded, rusted and damaged bolts and nuts.

Boosting the Bottom Line With Gear That Gets the Job Done

54 SEMA NewsAugust 2010

PDQ Precision Inc.Mini-Max Aqueous/Waterless Cleaner858-581-6370www.minimaxclener.comPN: 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.

Port-A-Cool LLCVertical Tank936-598-5651www.port-a-cool.comPN: PACJS1600

The Jetstream 1600 includes standard- feature one-piece rotational-molded housing that eliminates leaks and rust; premium-quality Kuul Pads cooling media.

Port-A-Cool LLCPacka50936-598-5651www.kuulaire.comPN: 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.

Quint Measuring SystemsOpen-End Ratchet Wrench925-952-9484www.quintmeasuring.comPN: 56049

Open-end ratchet wrench.

RapidAir ProductsAluminum Air Outlet800-954-3310www.rapidairproducts.comPN: 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.

Riggio Innovations Inc.Ratcheting Retractable Line Wrench215-866-8633www.riggioinnovations.comPN: rlw1

The Riggio ratcheting, retractable line wrench is the alternative to traditional line wrenches.

SpringToolsHDIDS609800-356-6966www.springtools.comPN: HDIDS609

Heavy-duty precision 39-piece 1/4-inch hammerless identification stamping sys-tem. Works on all mild-steel applications and easy to align. Power of the spring.

SpringToolsIPTS108800-356-6966www.springtools.comPN: IPTS108

The Pro-Driver’s unique design can easily re-coin damaged, corroded or stuck fas-tener heads. The 5,000 lbs. of impact can also shock corroded or damaged fastener threads for easy removal.

Three-In-OneNissan 370Z Carbon-Fiber Front Bumper Cover516-986-3822www.evo-r.netPN: 370002

Carbon-fiber front bumper cover for ’09 and newer Nissan 370Zs.

Z-CalzMagnetic and Decal Toolbox Label Kits-70/Kit Black & Blue909-225-2868www.zcalz.comPN: 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.

SEMA n TOOLS & EQUIPMENT NEW PRODUCTS

56 SEMA NewsAugust 2010

SEMA n TOOLS & EQUIPMENT NEW PRODUCTS

Induction Innovations Inc.Mini-Ductor II877-688-9633www.theinductor.comPN: MD-700

A second-generation flameless heat system; release seized hardware and other mechani-cal components. Turns hardware red hot if needed without the need for torches.

QSPLM-200888-473-5378www.go-qsp.comPN: LM-200

The LM-200 is an air-powered mobile tire lift that assists technicians with lifting heavy tire and wheel assemblies.

Three-In-OneNissan 350Z 370Z Titanium Intake System516-986-3822www.evo-r.netPN: 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.

Three-In-OneNissan 370Z 350Z Carbon-

Fiber Rear Diffuser With LED Light

516-986-3822www.evo-r.netPN: 370009

Carbon-fiber rear dif-fuser for Nissan 370Zs and 350Zs. Made of 3K cross-weave carbon fiber. Optional LED center bumper stop light.

TR ToolsTite-Reach712-707-9324www.tite-reach.comPN: 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 CorporationCleaning Generator With Transducer

Status Indicator815-235-6020www.upcorp.comPN: 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.

Uni-Quick LLCUniversal Radiator Adapter800-983-3521www.uniquickusa.com

The Universal radiator adapter works on 100% of car and light-truck cooling systems, regardless of size or style, eliminating the need for multiple adapters.

Tool Trend:

“The acquisition costs for specialized tools and equipment are coming down to more realistic levels due to increased efficiencies in manu-

facturing and distribu-tion, thus allowing more enthusiasts access to these tools and equip-ment. In the past, many specialized tools were available only through

one company at inflated prices. Now, with sev-eral companies com-

peting for the business, the enthusiast has more

than one choice.”—L.J. Lobsinger Jr., National

Sales and Marketing ManagerSpecialty Auto Parts USA Inc.

Inventz WorldImpact Head905-341-2300www.inventzworld.comPN: IHW001

The Impact Head turns any rotary drill into a powerful, dual-function impact wrench and impact driver.

Prevost Corp.PS1 Safety Coupler800-845-7220www.prevostusa.comPN: 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 but-ton; no mistakes possible.

www.semanews.com 57

TCA ToolstorageTCA HD 41-Inch Tool Storage Solution604-882-0709www.tcatoolstorage.comPN: TCA HD 41-inch set

TCA HD 41-series powdercoated 1.0-1.5mm double walls; 100-lb. sliders (double sets on 4-inch-high drawers); 660-lb.casters; key-locked; rubber drawer liners; and gas shocks on chest lid.

Wera ToolsZyklop800-267-5541www.weratools.comPN: 3596

This ratchet features five locking head positions and a free-turning sleeve, which makes it the fastest ratchet in the world.

Z WrenchZ Wrench214 497 1096www.zwrench.comPN: 54057

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.

Tool Trend:

“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, OwnerRapidAir Products

58 SEMA NewsAugust 2010

SEMA n TOOLS & EQUIPMENT

SE ToolsNylon Sparkplug Boot Puller810-664-2981www.setools.comPN: 824N

No shock sparkplug boot puller pliers. All-nylon construction, lightweight, com-pact, non-conductive and cost effective for technicians. Made in the USA.

Z-CalzMagnetic and Decal Toolbox Label Kits-70/Kit

Stainless & Blue909-225-2868www.zcalz.comPN: ZMTK-70SsBl

Find your tools fast with Z-Calz magnetic and decal toolbox label kits. Each kit includes 70 individual mag-nets or decal toolbox labels.

Z-CalzMagnetic and Decal Toolbox Label

Kits-70/Kit Black & Green909-225-2868www.zcalz.comPN: ZMTK-70BkGn

Find your tools fast. Each kit includes 70 individual magnets or decal toolbox labels.

Tool Trend:

“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?

go to www.SeMA.org/CAr And get StArted on Your winning PlAn

eighteen months ago SeMA commissioned three groundbreaking specialty-equipment industry research reports from the highly-regarded Center for Automotive research (CAr) to assist SeMA-member 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 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 line between high performance and mediocrity is often a red line. Contact John waraniak at johnw@sema.org

© Center for Automotive Research

The Specialty Equipment Automotive

Company of the Future:

Guideposts for Strategic Planning

by

September 2008

The statements, findings, and conclusions herein are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the project sponsor.

SEMACEO–LEADERSHIPROUNDTABLE

The Specialty Equipment Automotive Company of the Future: Guideposts for Strategic Planning

by

July 2008

The statements, findings, and conclusions herein are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the project sponsor.