Tools and supplies checklist

Content courtesy of MyGlassClass.com
October 3, 2008
AUTO

For all the complexity of today's aerodynamic vehicles, the tools you use as an auto glass technician are not expensive, cumbersome or unusual. That said, using the wrong tool for the job is the most common cause of tool-related accidents. The following checklist reviews the common and specialty tools and supplies you should always have on hand. You will recognize and probably already own many of them.

General tools 
• Chisels: cold, scraper
• Hammers: ball peen, claw, dead blow/plastic/rubber
• Magnetic screwdrivers: Phillips (regular-stubby-long); slot (regular-long-pocket); Torx (T15-T30)
• Nut drivers, 7 millimeters to 10 mm
• Pin punches
• Pliers: needle-nose, regular locking (vise)
• 3/8-inch ratchet
• Rivet gun
• Scratch awl
• 1/4-inch socket set, SAE and metric
• Tape measure
• Utility knife
• Wire brush
• Wrench: adjustable, open-end, extra-long Allen wrench

Specialty hand tools
• Caulking gun
• Channel driver
• Cutout knife
• Door-handle spring clip tool
• Door-panel tool
• Glass cutters
• Glass cutting pliers
• Hook tool
• Insert/lacing tool
• Long-reach utility knife/banana knife
• Molding release tool
• Plastic paddles
• Rearview mirror tools: Chrysler, Ford, General Motors
• Razor-blade holder
• 1/4-inch rivet gun
• Rivet head removal tool
• Vacuum cups/suction cups
• Weatherstrip closing tool
• Window retaining-nut removal tool
• Windshield wire handles
• Wiper puller

Specialty power tools
• Air-powered tools
• Battery-powered tools
• Oscillating electric windshield knife
• Pneumatic windshield cutout knife
• Power caulking gun
• Reciprocating windshield cutout knife
• Ultrasonic leak detector
• Vibrating windshield cutout knife

Additional suggested tools and supplies for a mobile unit:
• Portable belt sander
• Bumper, fender and dashboard covers
• Cordless drill
• Fire extinguisher
• First-aid kit
• Glass racks
• Hair dryer or heat gun
• Jigsaw or metal shears
• Small ladder
• Lidded metal trash can
• Portable cutting table
• Portable generator, or inverter or compressor
• Portable glass stand
• Portable grinder
• Storage cabinets
• Tool tote
• Vacuum cleaner

 

Content courtesy of MyGlassClass.com, a state-of-the-art online technical school created by the National Glass Association, McLean, Va. MyGlassClass.com offers a new line of windshield repair courses covering the repair of laminated automotive glass, the science of windshield repair, and windshield repair procedures and equipment. For more information, visit www.myglassclass.com.