As editor-in-chief of a leading (some may say the best) truck maintenance magazine, my inbox is constantly deluged with emails touting the latest and allegedly greatest commercial vehicle and automotive parts and tools. Allegedly is the key word here, as until a large enough number of a new product gets into the hands of end users, who really knows how great it is?
I’ve bought plenty of tools and gadgets that seemed great at first, but weren’t made to last. Like the manufacturing executives who cheaped out on materials to save a few pennies, these products simply lacked integrity. It makes you appreciate the oil-soaked tools with peeling handles that still get the job done after 20 years.
We do our best to filter out the junk fit for the bin from the toolbox treasures, but over the several decades Fleet Maintenance has been in print, it’s likely more than a few have slipped past. That’s bound to happen when you publish several hundred a year, yet get to see and hold, let alone use, only a handful. That’s why I appreciate all the technicians who test tools for us and write up their thoughts. The ones I have dealt with earnestly want to provide an honest review to help their colleagues get the best results. And they know putting their stamp of approval on a shoddy tool could lead to a lifetime of mockery in the shop.
With so many new tools coming out each month, we could use more help vetting the best of the best. We’d love to hear your thoughts, so if you want to gush or gripe about a particular tool or piece of shop equipment you use, send us an email at [email protected]. All emails will be considered off the record until we can confirm details by speaking directly with you. We also welcome requests from those who want to become a reviewer or want us to review a certain product.
We hope together we can add more integrity into the tool and equipment purchasing process, doing our part in helping fleets and shops reach new levels of safety, productivity, and uptime.
