Garage equipment and tool suppliers

GTS Equipment is one of a limited group of reputable garage equipment supplies and tool suppliers in South Africa.

Garage or workshop equipment is machinery or apparatus that auto mechanics use to perform a variety of tasks in the repair and maintenance of vehicles.

Garage equipment includes tyre repairing equipment, wheel alignment machines, tyre changing machines, wheel balancing machines, tyre repair equipment and tools, vehicle lifting equipment and workshop tools for technicians.

Workshop equipment supplies

No workshop is complete without the proper tools and equipment.

This is true whether you’re a mechanic, woodworker, or just someone who likes to tinker around in their spare time.

But with so many options on the market, it can be hard to know where to start when it comes to outfitting your workspace.

Air Compressors

There are many different types of air compressors on the market, so it is important to choose the right one for your needs.

Stationary air compressors are the most common type used in workshops. They are either oil-lubricated or oil-free and come in a variety of sizes and pressures.

Portable air compressors are also available, which can be useful for mobile applications.

When choosing an air compressor, consider the following factors:

• The intended use: what kind of tools will you be using with the compressor?
• The size: how large is your workshop?
• The power source: do you have access to mains power or will you need to use a generator?
• The noise level: some compressors can be quite loud, so this may be a factor if you have neighbours close by.

Trolley Jacks

There are different types of trolley jacks, each with its own specific uses.

The most common type is the hydraulic trolley jack, which is used to lift heavy vehicles. These jacks use hydraulic fluid to power their lifting mechanism and can be found in most auto repair shops.

Another type of trolley jack is the scissor jack, which is often used in smaller garages or workshops. These jacks use a mechanical scissor action to lift vehicles and are less powerful than hydraulic jacks.

Finally, there are electric trolley jacks, which are becoming more popular. These jacks use an electric motor to power their lifting mechanism, making them very easy to use.

Electric trolley jacks are much more portable than other types of jacks, making them perfect for taking to the track or off-road.

Automotive equipment

Automotive equipment is garage equipment used in maintaining and repairing vehicles and is usually larger equipment compared to tools that are generally smaller items.

Automotive equipment is the instrument used to perform a variety of specialised tasks in the repair and maintenance of vehicles. They are usually designed to perform a specific task related to a part of a vehicle, such as tyres, shock absorbers, exhaust systems and the like.

Garage tools

Garage tools are vehicle repair instruments which are generally smaller than garage equipment.

Tools are generally mobile and can be lifted and carried by one person.

Garage tools include wrenches, pliers, socket sets, screwdrivers, impact wrenches, torque wrenches and mobile jacks.

Workshop equipment

Workshop equipment is garage equipment but the term is mostly used for the equipment that is used in the workshop.

Workshop tools

Workshop tools are smaller garage equipment.

Tools often refer to mechanical instruments that can be carried around by a technician.

Automotive tools

Automotive tools are workshop or vehicle repair and maintenance tools.

In South Africa, the term “automotive” is mainly used in technical or formal publications. The more popular terms are workshop or vehicle tools with workshop tools the terminology mostly used.

Car lift equipment

Car lift equipment describes all equipment used to lift a vehicle so a technician can work under the car.

Car or vehicle lift equipment is mostly used when changing wheels or working on any part of a vehicle that is easier or only accessible from under the vehicle.

Diagnostic tools

Diagnostic tools are used to diagnose the health of a vehicle.

GTS are sellers of a wide range of auto diagnostic tools including:

• Snap-on Solus Edge Diagnostics machine and
• Snap-on Ethos Edge Diagnostics machine

Tyre equipment and supplies

Every auto workshop needs tyre equipment because that is one of the needs most vehicle owners experience due to the state of the country’s roads.

GTS supplies everything you need for a professional tyre repair section either as the main business or as part of a general vehicle repair shop.

We provide tyre changers:

• John Bean T5345-2S
• John Bean T5305-3PH
• John Bean T2500-20
• Hofmann Megamount 712
• Summit 1600
• John Bean 8056
• Summit 2500 HD
• Summit 2200 HD
• Gaither GT tool

Truck alignment equipment:

• Josam Cam-Aligner
• Josam Laser-AM
• John Bean B9250
• John Bean B9200
• Summit ST2000

Balancing accessories:

• 4X4 Cone
• Light truck cone kit
• Pneumatic wheel lifter
• Stud balancing adaptor kit

A professional auto repair or tyre shop requires reliable workshop equipment and accessories backed by a reliable service provider.

GTS has proved itself over many years as a supportive champion for your business.

Contact us now so our professional staff can share their many years of experience with you and help you launch your auto shop to new heights.

A BASIC GUIDE TO AUTO REPAIR SHOP EQUIPMENT

The auto repair industry is a multi-billion dollar industry in South Africa and it grows year by year.

The tools and equipment used in the industry are also growing in number and complexity due to the demand of a growing and evolving auto industry.

This article will provide you with a complete guide to auto repair equipment that you will need to know about if you want to own an auto repair shop.

The basic guide to auto repair shop equipment

Auto repair shop equipment is a broad term that includes all the items and tools necessary to stock and run a successful vehicle repair shop.

The following are the types of auto repair shop equipment:

• Tools for repairing cars
• Tools for repairing tyres
• Tools for repairing engines
• Tools for repairing transmissions
• Tools for repairing brake systems
• Tools for repairing electrical systems and more.

How to choose the best auto repair shop equipment for your needs

Choosing the right tools for your automotive shop is a crucial decision that can affect the success of your business. You should know what to look for in a set of tools, and how to get the best value for your money.

The first thing you need to consider when buying automotive tools is the type of work you are going to be doing. For example, if you are going to be working on heavy trucks, then you will need different tools than if you were working on cars and motorcycles.

If you are just getting started with an automotive repair shop, then it is important that your budget is not stretched too thin. Start by buying some basic equipment and then add more expensive pieces as needed.

Two use cases for auto workshop equipment and how they can help you to get the best out of your business.

Repairing cars

The first use case is repairing cars.

Cars continuously suffer damage as well as wear and tear that results from the actions of other road users, the quality of road surfaces and the use of the vehicle.

In a day, an average auto workshop may need to repair minor body damage, replace gearboxes, clutch systems, radiator systems, brake systems, and batteries and attend to a wide range of other results from wear and tear.

Technicians will have vehicles to service, inspections to do and to prepare vehicles for holidays and long trips.

Between the normal and expected work a car technician does, there is always someone who walks in and wants a trained person to find the source of a new squeak or an unfamiliar sound.

Some of the auto workshop tools and machines that are used for these day-to-day car repairs are:

• Wheel aligners
• Diagnostic equipment
• Wheel balancers
• Well-stocked toolboxes
• Jacks
• Compressors
• Lifts

Maintaining cars

The second use case is vehicle maintenance.

All auto repair shops offer a maintenance service which includes checking and replacing engine oil, oil filters, lights, tyres, bodywork, exhausts, brakes, steering fluid and coolant, suspensions and batteries.

What are the best workshop tools for a tyre workshop?

There is a wide variety of tools available for use in a tyre workshop.

These tools are used to help make the job of repairing and changing tyres easier and quick.

The tyre industry standard is that all tyre-related maintenance and repairs must be done within hours and surely on the same day.

Even time-consuming tasks such as tyre changes, brake repairs and wheel alignment must be done on the same day, or the business will not last in the competitive tyre repair industry.

The best workshop tools for a tyre workshop?

There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question, as the best workshop tools for a tyre workshop will vary depending on the specific needs of the workshop.

The best workshop tools for a tyre workshop are:

1. A tyre inflator
2. A tyre pressure gauge (workshop staff usually use the tyre inflator for gauging tyre pressure)
3. A tyre bead breaker
4. A tyre mounting/demounting tool
5. A tyre bead seater or blaster
6. A tyre balancer

Other tools that are used in tyre workshops include air compressors, air tools, jacks, stands, and tyre changers.

Good contact between the tyres and the road surface is important. As a result, it is very important to regularly have the tyres checked and, where necessary, replaced.

Conclusion

The benefits of using auto repair shop equipment are clear. It can help to increase the efficiency of the shop and make it easier to work on vehicles.

The equipment can also be a great addition to any type of car repair business because it is an investment that will pay off in the long run.

WHAT IS A TORQUE WRENCH AND WHAT IS IT USED FOR?

A torque wrench is a tool that technicians use to tighten nuts and bolts with a predetermined twisting force, tightness or tension commonly referred to as torque.

The torque wrench allows the technician to tighten nuts, bolts and other fasteners to the optimum tightness (torque) without the fastener being too loose or too tight or damaging the fastener.

The correct torque allows the equipment to have the maximum lifespan to get the best value out of it.

The torque wrench allows the technician to measure the pressure applied to nuts, bolts and screws, to ensure it matches the recommended specifications for the task.

In the automotive industry where vehicles are subjected to many years of vibration and movement, it is important that parts of a vehicle are properly fastened to ensure they function effectively and last as long as required.

Overtightening fasteners can cause parts to lock up, fail, be out of alignment, get damaged or have a shorter life.

How does a torque wrench work?

Parts of a vehicle such as spark plugs and wheel nuts require a specific torque.

The required torque is determined by the manufacturer who knows what the optimal torque should be and usually reflects it on the part of the packaging.

The torque wrench is used much the same as a wrench or spanner but with a measuring function indicating the force applied.

The wrench is set to the required torque and the fastener is turned until the torque wrench indicates that the required torque has been reached. How the torque wrench indicates the correct torque depends on the type of torque wrench.

Types of torque wrenches

• A digital or electronic torque wrench indicates the torque with a digital display.
• A beam torque wrench has a handle or lever on which force is applied. A scale or meter releases or stops when it reaches the right torque. It usually keeps the reading until it is released.
• A click torque wrench makes clicking or ratchet sound when the set torque is reached.
• Hydraulic torque wrenches are used in industrial environments and work hydraulically.
• Micrometer torque wrenches have forward and reverse capabilities. They are mostly used in industrial settings, plumbing and metalworking.
• Dial torque wrenches indicate torque with a dial mechanism and are widely used in the automotive industry.
• Slipper Torque Wrenches slip or release when the required torque is reached which makes it impossible to overtighten.
• Split Beam Torque Wrenches are more accurate than standard beam torque wrenches. It releases when the required torque is reached, so overtightening is impossible.
• No-Hub Torque Wrenches are mostly used in the plumbing industry to tighten pipe connectors without the risk of over or under-tightening.

How do I know which torque wrench I need?

The type of torque wrench you will need depends on the work you do and is dictated by the maximum tightness (torque) required by the fasteners you will torque.

The 12,5 – 25mm Snapon torque wrench is quite adequate for an average auto shop or tyre workshop.

Calibrate your torque wrench

Torque wrenches need to be calibrated at regular intervals as they are often dropped or bumped against equipment in a workshop setting.

The moment the technician realises that the torque wrench is not correctly calibrated, he will manually compensate by under or over-tightening. That results in manual tightening and a guessing game which renders the torque wrench ineffective and increases the risk of costly mistakes and potential damage.

A maximum of a 5% error margin is acceptable for a torque wrench.

Get a torque wrench

A responsible employer or workshop manager will make sure that his auto repair or tyre shop always has properly calibrated torque wrenches for his technicians.

A professional technician will always use a torque wrench so he can be sure that the work he did for a client is up to standard.

Anyone can start a tyre changing shop in their town or suburb.

What is a tyre shop?

Tyre changing services is one of the basic automotive services in the country with a broad scope because of the quality of our roads and the number of vehicles that travel each day.

Once you have premises and meet the legal and financial requirements, you can start sourcing the machinery needed for a successful tyre shop.

What services does a tyre changing shop offer?

A tyre shop usually offers a range of tyre services, such as puncture repairs, tyre damage inspections, new tyre sales, wheel balancing, wheel alignment and wheel rim services and sales. In short, any need there may be related to tyres can be a possible service or product opportunity for the enthusiastic entrepreneur.

Some tyre shops offer additional services such as windscreen repairs.

What do you need to start a tyre shop?

When you decide to start a tyre shop and you have done all the groundwork, it is time to equip your shop.

A tyre shop needs a range of equipment, but the good news is that you don’t have to buy it all at once.

You can start a shop with basic equipment and expand it as your business grows.

A tyre shop will have these tools and machines:

• Tyre-changing equipment for cars. If you are in a rural area you may benefit from a tractor tyre changing machine.
• An air compressor because most tyre shop tools work on air compression.
• A lift to lift the vehicle when changing tyres.
• Wheel alignment equipment.
• A wheel bay toolset.
• A well-supplied toolbox.
• A truck and car wheel balancer.
• A range of wheel balancing accessories.

It can have many additional tools and equipment, depending on the size of the business and how busy it is.

What else do I need to have a fully equipped tyre shop?

You could add these tyre tools and equipment:

• Workshop equipment
• Alignment lifts and racks
• Auto workshop lifts
• Battery Equipment
• Passenger wheel alignment equipment
• Passenger tyre changers
• Truck tyre changing equipment
• Tyre repair equipment
• Brake equipment
• Diagnostics equipment
• Passenger wheel balancers
• Truck alignment and balancing equipment
• Balancing accessories
• Workshop tool sets
• Alignment tools and accessories

Conclusion

If you are unsure whether there is space for a small independent tyre shop in your area, keep in mind that all major businesses started as small businesses.

It depends mostly on whether you stand out in a part of the business that is important to potential customers. It may be the speed with which you deliver your services or whether you do something better than the competition.

You may also decide to go the easier route of getting a franchise.

That makes it much easier to start your tyre shop and avoid much of the pain and potential errors of doing it on your own.

What small business can you start in South Africa and expect to make money?

There are good business opportunities in South Africa in most cities, towns and townships for mobile battery testing services.

If you want to start a business you need to reduce the risk as much as you can. In days gone by, people believed that starting a food or liquor business was the least risky opportunity.

There are good opportunities in less glamorous and less known parts of the economy, and one such opportunity is in the auto industry.

As the economy grows more people have jobs and more people have money to spend. Those people like to buy a car as soon as they can.

Other people start small businesses and have commercial vehicles that need to be maintained well so the business owner can keep on generating an income.

We can expect that more and more people will become vehicle owners and there is the opportunity.

All those cars, bakkies, delivery vehicles and trucks need to be maintained and they will need technicians and service centres who can keep their vehicles on the road and running.

If you want to make use of this opportunity, you will need an honest and reliable provider of all the machinery and tools needed to run a successful garage.

What is the smallest car service business you can start?

Battery problems are one of the car problems that occur most frequently because car owners tend to neglect the maintenance of their car batteries and electrical systems.

Failing batteries is probably only second to tyre failures in South African cars as the cause that takes up most time from car owners.

Batteries are relatively expensive and need to be replaced every few years.

Testing a car’s battery regularly is a good idea and battery testing is also the first step in troubleshooting electrical failures in cars.

Battery load testing indicates the amperes produced by a battery. A vehicle battery must generate high amperes to be able to activate the starter motor and turn the engine.

You can start a micro business as a mobile battery doctor by testing car battery health with one or a range of battery testing devices supplied by GTS Equipment.

Because the testing equipment is mostly light and easy to carry around, a mobile battery diagnostics expert can be an asset in the car owner community in any township.

Battery load tester

A battery load tester is a mobile testing device that allows you to test various aspects of a battery’s condition.

The model below provides information about

• State of charge
• Cranking ability
• Charging system output
• Starter motor test

It needs no external power source and is completely portable.

BATTERY LOAD TESTER

With a battery load tester, you are able to visit people at home and test the 6 and 12-volt batteries of their electric gate openers, lawn mowers, cars, bakkies and trucks at a small fee.

Many car owners neglect to refill their car batteries with battery water. As an additional service to your mobile battery testing service, you could carry with you a filler bottle of battery water and top up low battery water levels at a small cost.

Keep in mind that the car owner does not only pay for the battery water but actually for the convenience of having his battery water topped up at his home.

Battery filler bottle

Many times, a battery has too little battery water because owners neglect to have it refilled, especially with old model cars with older batteries.

While you test a battery with your portable load tester, you may also want to be able to sell battery water refills.

To provide this service, you will need to have a battery filler bottle in your tool kit.

BLUE POINT BATTERY FILLER BOTTLE

Battery Hydrometer

A battery hydrometer tests the level of charge of a battery cell.

It measures the voltage of the battery as a percentage of the voltage of the fully charged battery.

You will be able to test a client’s battery and immediately tell them if the battery is damaged and can be expected to fail in the near future.

BLUE POINT BATTERY HYDROMETER

Battery Booster

A battery booster could be your next step to your complete service station.

A battery booster is a power pack that provides low power for long periods. This boosts the battery and at the same time ensures that no electrical components of the car are damaged.

A battery booster is used to jump-start a car with a flat battery and is a safer way than jump-starting from another car’s battery because it provides low but adequate power to boost the battery.

LEMANIA BATTERY BOOSTER

Battery Charger

With a battery charger, you can provide an indispensable service to car, truck and motorcycle users, and even garden services in your area.

Everybody who knows that you have a battery charger will gladly make use of your charger to charge their old batteries and you can charge batteries that your battery diagnostics tools have indicated only needs a charge.

SNAP ON BATTERY CHARGER

Battery Tester

A battery tester allows you to instantly tell your client the state of his vehicle’s battery

The Snapon tester pictured below can test 6, 8 and 12-volt batteries, which widens your potential business opportunities. It even tests boat batteries.

It provides you with battery, starter and charging system status.

SNAP ON BATTERY TESTER

One of the smallest and most affordable car repair businesses you can start is a tyre valve-changing business.

You can change leaking and old tyre valves with one tool and a hand full of accessories.

What do I need to start a tyre valve repair business?

You need:

A valve core tool.
A set of different tyre size valves.

This micro-business allows you to run a mobile business without a workshop and with tools you can carry in your pocket.

Listen for people who complain about slow punctures. Slow punctures are often just leaking valves.

Just remember to change the valve near a place where you can inflate the tyre because you have to let all the air out to remove the old valve and fit a new one.

Toolbox for a mobile vehicle repair business

If you start out as a mobile battery testing technician you will need a toolset that you can transport with you.

This enables you to tighten battery pole clamps because quite often those are loose and it provides you with all the tools you may need to assist your clients even as you upgrade to providing more services.

WILLIAMS CANTILEVER TOOLBOX

How to start my small business in South Africa

You can start your small mobile car service today wherever you live.

You need minimal startup capital and knowledge which you can get from the stockists of the accessories and tools you buy.

All you need to do is make the decision to start your own business and send us an email to find out what we can do for you.

GTS Equipment is always ready to help entrepreneurs to get the correct outfit for their business.

CONTACT US