inside - Snap-on

Transcription

inside - Snap-on

Compliments of your Snap-on Dealer
No Varnish Here
INSIDE:
Tech idea
Ted Nugent
Thunder Ride
earns cash
hunts the hogs
a booming success
Tech is published quarterly by Snap-on Incorporated. Editorial contact: High Velocity Communications LLC,
2444 North Grandview Blvd., Waukesha, WI 53188. 262.544.6600. E-mail: [email protected].
Advertising contact: Costin Media Group 847.658.6451. Snap-on® and MODIS are trademarks of Snap-on Incorporated.
Volume 2 Number 4. Other marks are marks of their respective holders.
© 2006 Snap-on Incorporated. All Rights Reserved.
Features
Welcome to the Winter issue of Tech Magazine. One of the stories
you’ll read about in this issue is the recent Snap-on Thunder Ride
in Tennessee. It was one of those great events that allowed me to
mix business with one of my passions – riding motorcycles.
After a few days at the Sturgis motorcycle rally, we trailered
my 1997 Harley Road King and my wife, Marty’s, 1998 Dyna
Superglide to Elizabethton, Tenn. The ride through the Smokey
Mountains was spectacular. And it is always great to be able
to spend time with customers, franchisees, employees and
retirees.
8 Who would do this?
Techs say ice fishing is worth it – seriously
10 On track
Techs keep sleds screamin’
Snap-on and its employees were proud to show off the
Elizabethton manufacturing plant where we make world famous
Snap-on® wrenches, ratchets and other products. At the end
of the tour, we handed out 500 commemorative wrenches as
momentos. We obviously underestimated the amount of interest in
the tour as we had more than 800 people go through the plant.
World’s oldest licensed competition racer
16 Short work of a big problem
As the event wound down, there was a couple that had just
completed the tour, but by that time we had run out of the
commemorative wrenches. Sensing their disappointment, my wife
gave the couple her wrench. The woman broke down and started
crying, saying how much it meant to them. My first reaction was,
“Hey, it’s just a wrench.” But then, I was reminded that our tools
are so much more. They are the way our customers earn a living,
a means of supporting a family and a means to help defend our
country.
All of us at Snap-on are proud to be able to provide you with these
tools. We hope you enjoy this issue and, again, thanks for your
business and support.
Al Biland
Senior VP, Snap-on Incorporated
President, Snap-on Tools LLC
On the cover:
Techs Al Shimpa and Corey Berberich
keep the Arctic Cat snowmobile racing
team flying high. How do they wrench
through the long racing season – not to
mention the long winter season? They
explain how, in their own words,
starting on page 10.
43
15 90-year-old shows ’em up
MODIS comes through again
20 Ted hunts the hogs
Freshly stabbed jungle pork BBQ
23 Not just green anymore
38
Choose the right antifreeze
24 Fill your freezer
A primer for deer season
Support Tech advertisers
28 A plastic engine?
Tech Magazine is brought to you in part by advertisers who value
professional technicians and your contributions to building, maintaining and
repairing everything mechanical in the world around us. When possible,
please support these advertisers:
34 Boost your take-home pay
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Back Cover
Red Wing Shoes
Arctic Cat ATVs
WYOTECH
Snap-on Diagnostics
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Log onto their web sites to learn more about their products or services or go
to the links at snapon.com/techmagazine/. Let these advertisers know that
you appreciate their support of Tech Magazine.
24
This one really works
Tool purchases deliver tax savings
36 A hoot to ride
JASPER-themed trike takes off
38 Earn cash for your product idea
Dream comes true for inventive tech
40 A booming success
Bikers roll during Thunder Ride
43 Special Delivery
40
Vintage ’54 4x4
Nuts & Bolts 4 • Techs After Hours 5 • Destination 6 • Finance 31 • Health 33 • Gift Guide 47 • Tech-nology 48 • Rear View 50
TECHS AFTER HOURS
Nuts & Bolts
‘Fill er
’ up – regular’
JUKE BOX HERO
This cruiser didn’t come with A/C
You can tell this photo was taken long ago; it’s a full-service
gas station.
Back in the early 1900s, heavy machinery was long
on power, but a little short on comfort, at least by today’s
standards. And in outlying areas, it was not uncommon to see a
behemoth like this 1922 Best 60 Tracklayer come rumbling into
the local filling station.
A forerunner of the modern Caterpillar brand, this gaspowered beauty weighed in at 14 tons, was 23 feet, 9 inches
long and generated a whopping 75 hp – a considerable amount
of power in those days. This particular unit was fitted with
auxiliary track pads to keep from tearing up the pavement on
Main Street, but they still did some damage. And the convertible
top kept the sun off the operator, but that was about the only
creature comfort to be found.
Because this model tractor has a “ragtop,” it’s obviously a
“logging cruiser,” for forestry work. But you knew that, didn’t you?
Tech started collectin,’ ain’t never gonna stop
I
t started out like a trip through the past. “A
customer of mine asked if he could use my
garage to store a beat up old jukebox he bought
second-hand until he could clean it up and get all the
lights working,” says Stevan Miner, owner/operator
of Miner Auto Service in Winnebago, Minn.
“He didn’t want his wife to see what he had picked
up until he fixed it up,” Stevan explains. “He wanted
to stick in a tape recorder ‘for effect,’ which I
thought would have been a mistake. I told my friend
it would be a lot better if he simply restored it back
to its original condition. I’ve restored some cars
over the years, and it seemed similar. I didn’t know
how to fix it, but I offered to work on it if my friend
supplied a manual.”
Fast as a speeding bullet?
Ever wonder how photographers make those cool high-speed
photos of bullets shooting through balloons, soup cans or vases,
similar to the photo shown here? According to Gene O’Connell
of Tech Imaging Services, all you need is a camera, some special
gear, a rifle – and a whole lot of patience.
Tech Imaging is an Emmy award-winning, high-speed
industrial video company that also does high-speed still
photography. “Whenever a customer needs to see something too
fast for the human eye to pick out, they give us a call,” Gene says.
How it’s done
Gene and his photography partner, Ed Braverman, use a film
camera to capture the images. They hook up as many as four
special flash units costing thousands of dollars each; the high
cost is because their flash output is measured in microseconds.
Gene and Ed then use a sensitive microphone to trigger the
strobes. “The microphone picks up the shockwave when the rifle
fires, which triggers the strobes to freeze the action,” Ed explains.
“It’s pretty neat because you can actually see the bullet in flight,
thanks to the stop-action of the strobes.” The rest comes down to
adjusting the strobes’ time delay to fire at the appropriate instant.
For the ballistics, they use a bolt-action rifle firing a NATO
7.62 mm round, which has a muzzle velocity of 2,800 ft. per
second. “That’s a nice long bullet, which makes the slug fly
straighter,” Gene says. “We aim the rifle by removing the bolt and
using a tiny Laser to sight down the barrel, so we can see exactly
where the bullet will strike the object.”
“It takes a lot of re-shooting (pardon the pun) through dozens
of objects to get the best image, but it’s a lot of fun and the end
results are always very interesting,” Ed adds.
On the Web :
For more information, visit techimaging.com
After Stevan restored the old jukebox to its original
glory and plugged it in to hear it play, that one jukebox
just blew him away – to paraphrase Foreigner.
“Little did I know what a monster I was
creating when I fixed up that first one,” he
says. “I was warned by another collector
that jukeboxes are like potato chips – you
can’t have just one. He was right!”
Since restoring that first jukebox, his
passion for these relics of music history has
grown. Stevan now has his own collection of
16 restored vintage jukeboxes, not counting
the dozens he has restored for other people.
“I just love these things. They’re like works
of art; a lot of them have automotive styling
for that era, so they look good to a car nut like
me. They’re a lot of fun to work on; they all
have their own personalities.”
You can tell Stevan is hooked. He admits that
whenever he spies an old jukebox gathering
dust at a swap meet or someone’s back
room, he has stars in his eyes.
Stevan is definitely a hero to all those
old, vintage jukeboxes out there,
just waiting for a loving hand to
make them come alive. “And I’m still
looking for more,” he adds.
Share your story
Do you have a story idea for Tech
Magazine? If you’re willing to share it,
we’re eager to listen. After all, the best
ideas come from those in the field who
work as techs every day. If you have
an idea, please send us an e-mail at
[email protected].
• Tech Magazine I Winter 2006
Winter 2006 I Tech Magazine • Destination
An out-of-this-world experience
Kennedy Space Center launches new training program for families
A
s if the Kennedy Space Center didn’t offer enough to
see and do, now the whole family can train together to
become astronauts.
Designed to spark the imagination of children ages 8 to 14,
who may someday become astronauts and explorers to the
moon, Mars or points beyond, the new two-day Family
Astronaut Training Experience (ATX) promotes a positive
family experience while giving everyone a taste of life in
zero gravity. As a team, family members are immersed in
astronaut training, riding realistic simulators, building and
launching their own rockets, meeting NASA astronauts, and
going on a special tour of the Kennedy Space Center.
© Bruce Jones Design Inc. 2004
The experience reaches its zenith as the family team-turned-shuttle crew performs
a mission to the International Space Station in a full-scale orbiter mock-up and a
fully outfitted mission control.
The Family ATX program and pricing are designed to accommodate today’s diverse
family structures, so families of just one child and one parent or grandparent can
join in the fun as well. Not a bad way for the family to “get away from it all.”
Information: 321.449.4400 or kennedyspacecenter.com
Admission: $625 for one adult and one child; $275 per additional person
Includes: Overnight lodging at Hampton Inn in Cocoa Beach, behind-the-scenes
tour, Visitor Complex 12-month passes, ATX logo items, dinner, breakfast and lunch
Location: Central Florida; 45 minutes east of Orlando
Other Activities:
Live Space Launches
Kennedy Space Center Tour
U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame
IMAX® Space Films
Apollo/Saturn V Center
Lunch with an Astronaut
Spaceflight Simulator
Rocket Garden
Merritt Island Wildlife Refuge
Now what? Other possible stops:
u Walt Disney World
disneyworld.com
u Daytona NASCAR Center
daytonausa.com
u Gatorland Theme Park/Wildlife Preserve
gatorland.com
u Cypress Gardens Adventure Park
cypressgardens.com
u American Police Hall of Fame
aphf.org
Why are Red Wing work boots legendary for keeping the elements out? Because we put so much into them.
For waterprooﬁng, we use full-grain waterproof leathers and a special moisture-wicking barrier for a system
so effective, it’s guaranteed for one year. For warmth, we use genuine Thinsulate™ Ultra Insulation. Keep your feet
warm and dry with Red Wing Shoes. Built to ﬁt. Built to last. For a dealer: redwingshoes.com or 1-800-RED-WING.
© 2006 Red Wing Shoe Company
It’s below zero, and you’re not sure what’s colder: The ice you’re standing on or the wind that’s numbing your
face. You check your fishing line and, sure enough, the bait is gone. That means the gloves have to come
off, which is a very big deal, so you can put an icy minnow on an icy hook and drop the line into water so
cold it could stop your heart. But, hey, you’ll be warm again – like when spring arrives.
Dave Provencher
Ross Nord
Steve Blackhall
Techs say ice fishing is worth it.
Really. Seriously. No, we’re not kidding.
A
t its most basic level, ice fishing is holding
a line while standing on a block of ice.
Not too appealing? Well, maybe not
to you, but some say there’s more to it
than that. A whole lot more.
There probably are none better qualified to
make the case for this sport than a couple of
“yoopers,” a slang expression for those from
Michigan’s Upper Peninsula (or U.P., hence
the “yooper” designation).
The U.P. is home to those who fish on
inland waters, rivers and even the Great
Lakes. (So yes, every winter you can
find fishermen standing on a frozen Lake
Superior as the wind whips.) The U.P. is also
the home of David Provencher, Ross Nord
and Steve Blackhall – three techs with various
professional specialties who spend their
working hours with Snap-on tools and much of
their spare time in winter ice fishing.
Why do they do it?
1. Strengthening family ties.
Provencher’s interest in ice fishing began in the
1980s, when he was looking for a winter activity to
share with his sons. “For many years the boys and I
looked forward to those weekend ice fishing outings with
our friends,” Provencher says. The boys are grown, but the
ties remain.
Nord got his first taste of ice fishing at the age of 7, when his
father took him out on a local lake. “As a kid, it meant a lot to
me to be able to do something with my dad,” he says. “I had just
as much fun being with my dad as I did catching a fish.” Nord has
ice fished with his grandfather, father, sons, wife and someday
expects to soak an icy line with a grandchild.
Blackhall fondly recalls participating in an ice fishing derby
with his daughter. “Both of the orange flags on her tip-up poles
were constantly popping up,” he says. “People started drilling
holes near us, hoping for the same good luck. It was a once-in-alifetime fishing experience.”
TIPS
• Tread carefully. Make sure the ice
is thick enough and that you know the
location of currents and springs that can
weaken ice.
him to check out other spots on a lake or move to another nearby
body of water.
3. It’s a friendly sport.
Some sportsmen might be surprised by just how friendly ice
fishermen are. “You can walk out on the ice with your manual auger
and start scouting around for a place to drill a hole,” Blackhall says.
“The next thing you know, someone with a gas-powered auger will
tell you to come over their way, and they’ll be glad to help you by
drilling a hole.
“Most will be glad to tell you what kind of fish are biting that day
and what kind of bait they are using. There really are no secrets
between ice fishermen.”
Another fishing tradition Provencher, Nord and Blackhall enjoy is
putting on a fish fry for family and friends.
• Our experts say live bait, particularly
minnows, are the best – though some ice
fishermen use lures that are jigged.
• Manual augers are cheap, but if you’re
venturing out even a few times a year, you’ll
probably want to invest in a power auger.
• Many regular practices apply. For
example, Nord says fishing on many
lakes is usually best around sunrise
and sunset.
4. It makes a man out of you.
Ultimately, you’re standing on ice and putting your hands in
freezing water. You’re putting a freezing minnow on a freezing hook.
On some days the temperatures are well below 0 and the holes are
freezing about as fast as you can drill them. (Just don’t tell anyone
about the nap in the shanty.)
5. It’s still fishing.
2. You can escape to your shanty.
Shanties keep fishermen warm while they watch outside lines, or
even fish from inside. Many shanties are just four walls and a roof, but
some can get pretty elaborate – even sporting satellite dishes.
Nord’s current shanty (he has owned six or seven over the years)
features a 12-volt electric lighting system, cell
phone plug-in, propane heater and propane cook
stove. And don’t forget the bench that unfolds into a bed.
“More than once I’ve taken a nap while I’m fishing,” he says.
Blackhall uses a lightweight, portable canvas shanty, which allows
There is a thrill when the flag goes up and you feel the tug on the
line. Like summer fishing, you never know what you might find on the
other end.
One of Provencher’s winter highlights was watching his son pull in
a 10-pound northern pike. More than once last year, Blackhall had fish
snap 20-pound test line.
So is it worth it? The yooper techs say yes, and maybe we should
take their word for it. After all, they’ve had plenty of time to stand on
the ice and weigh the question.
Winter 2006 I Tech Magazine • Techs keep snowmobile
racers humming
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Name: Al Shimpa
Hometown: Euclid, Minn.
Age: As old as I feel – 57.
Job Description: My main
responsibility in
my position as drag/hill climb coordinator
for Arctic Cat snowmobiles is to manage the
technical applications of the race programs.
Years on Tour: I started working at Arctic Cat
in August of 1990 as a technician in the race
department. One of my first responsibilities in
the racing department was as a mechanic for
legendary cross country racer Kirk Hibbert.
The main effort was for cross country racing
and hill climb for Arctic Cat. Expanding on
my job responsibilities came quickly with the
need to have technical support for grass and
ice drag racing. By 2003, Arctic Cat’s efforts
increased in the hill climb arena and I had the
opportunity to help improve our position as a
strong competitor for hill climb racing.
Technology continues to change and improve.
10 • Tech Magazine I Winter 2006
My job requires me to keep up to date
with programming ECU’s (Electronic Control
Units) through laptop computers to improve
performance curves of modern sleds – which
proves an old dog can learn new tricks.
How did you get started in snowmobile
racing? Having been born in northern
Minnesota where there is (was) lots of snow,
my first ride on a snowmobile was in 1962.
I started some cross country racing with
my cousin, Merlyn Wiskow from Greenbush,
Minn., in 1968.
After I had two sons, I started building speed
sleds for them to compete with at local ice
racing events. My son Michael started racing
at age 12, and Bobby at age 10. Arctic Cat
made a model called the Kitty Cat, a 60cc
mini-sled for kids. Michael started riding
the track off that thing when he was 2.
That led to buying three-wheelers, ATVs and
motorcycles, all of which I kept modifying to
go faster. I guess you could say I have always
loved racing and making vehicles go fast. I
continue to enjoy it through my job and it
allowed me to spend time with my family.
Best Moment on the Job: I’ve been in this
game a long time and a lot comes to mind.
One of the greatest moments was at last
year’s legendary Jackson Hole Hillclimb. I
race-tuned a motor package for Kyle Tapio’s
Arctic Cat M7 and he won the King of Kings
title. Proud can’t describe my feelings! Beyond
that, I have years and years of great memories
of a long list of Arctic Cat racers.
surgery on my ankle, crushed vertebrae in my
back, a broken arm, and I was in a ton of pain.
I spent a lot of time in the hospital recovering
from that accident. At least my foot didn’t
have to be amputated – so life is good!
is a typical week like? It doesn’t seem
A moment I’d like to Forget: In March 1993 at What
like anything is “typical” in my world around
Island Park, Idaho, I crashed a prototype 440
snowmobile. I had to be airlifted by helicopter
to Idaho Falls and underwent reconstructive
here. Racing is an ongoing project.
In the summer, a typical week is different
than winter. Starting in April, I complete
the ISR (International Snowmobile Race
Association) specifications on all sleds
that are going to be raced for the coming
year. Lots of paperwork precedes the racing
season. Forms are required, including the
drawings and specifications of each sled,
and I have to complete the paperwork so
the machine is legal to race. For a hands-on
technical type like myself, I’d rather hold a
wrench than a pencil. This usually absorbs
most of my summer.
Planning for winter racing typically begins in
the fall. This includes strategies, meetings on
suspension and motor set-ups and reviews
of last season’s high and low points. During
the winter you basically do one thing several
times … test, test, test. Most times this
requires travel to find snow. Then I’m on the
road starting in January to give technical
support to the hill climb racers.
(Continued on page 12)
Please describe your travel schedule: How many techs work with you? When I’m Can you list some of the machines that are
It’s pretty simple: I leave home in January and
on the road, I don’t have any help other than in the races? For hill climb, all are Arctic
typically return the end of March.
How do you pass time on the road? I assist the
racers during the day, which is typically 13
hours long, and normally am so exhausted by
evening, I hole up in my hotel and fall asleep.
Boring, huh?
if a racer helps turn a wrench. Otherwise, it’s
just me.
What is involved in preparing each sled
for a particular rider? Each racer rides
differently, therefore, each sled is set up with
different suspension settings, clutching and
ergonomics.
How many sleds do you work on during a race,
or during the week leading up to a race? Other challenges?
It can be one to as many as 10. It just depends
on the week.
Nobody likes to lose –
especially at Arctic Cat. There is always
pressure to win. Adjusting strategy throughout
the day in response to changes on the course
is imperative. It becomes a challenge to
always find a competitive edge.
What are some typical adjustments you
might make during a race, or between
heats? Typically, suspension and clutching
for course or weather changes.
Challenges for your type of racing? In the
past, a good hill climb racer with a good setup
could make a very fast pass and normally win
by three to four seconds. Now, the racing
margin has decreased to the point where
a hundredth of a second could make the
difference between first and second. Among
the top 10 qualifiers in a class, the margin
between first and 10th could be two seconds.
This leaves very little room for error. This
effort is the reason for my gray hair(s)!
Cat Mountain snowmobiles: M6 Stock, M6
Improved, M6 Mod, M7 Stock, M7 Improved, M7
Mod, M8 Stock, M8 Improved, M8 Mod, M1000
Stock, M1000 Open Mod.
What do you do in the off-season, both in
terms of work and pleasure? I don’t think
there is much of an off-season, just different
responsibilities.
My wife, Marlene, says I have lots of toys in my
toy box, plus too many hobbies. I love to play
hard too! We are fortunate that we can spend
time together on my hobbies and projects. She
is right there with me.
I love to fly my 1975 Cessna 180 airplane
outfitted with skis. I’m starting to build a
Zenithair 701 kit plane utilizing an Arctic Cat
T660 Turbo snowmobile motor. It will be a twoperson pontoon plane.
I completely rebuilt a 1972 GMC Sierra Grande
pickup into a hot rod prostock truck. I built a
468 big block with a 671 GM Blower … it cranks
out over 750 hp.
I love to hunt pheasants with my German
shorthaired pointer, Teesha. My sons and I go
to Bismarck, N.D., each year. We also have a
lake cabin on Franklin Lake in Minnesota and
that is my “happy” place. If I can find the time, I
enjoy elk hunting and fishing. If I ever retire, I’ll
never get bored.
Al Shimpa counts on Snap-on
tools to help keep Arctic Cat
sleds running.
HAUL
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change? All you need is a pin to add a removable rear Speedrack™ or a full-sized
cargo box that gives you the same cargo capacity as a
TBX. At Arctic Cat we really do give you More to Go On.
*ATVs can be hazardous to operate. For your safety always wear a helmet, eye protection, and protective clothing. Never ride on paved surfaces or public roads. Never carry a passenger on a single rider ATV; never engage in stunt driving; riding and alcohol/drugs don't mix and
could cause injury or even death. Avoid excessive speeds and be particularly careful on difficult terrain. The Arctic Cat ATV may not be ridden by anyone under 16 years of age. Arctic Cat recommends that all riders take a training course, and that they read and understand their
owner's manual before operation. Along with concerned conservationists everywhere, Arctic Cat urges you to "Tread Lightly" on public and private lands. Ride only on designated areas or trails. Preserve your future riding opportunities by showing respect for the environment, local
laws, and the rights of others when riding. For safety or training information in the U.S., call the ATV Safety Institute at (800) 887-2887. In Canada, see your dealer. ©2006 Arctic Cat Sales Inc., ® Trademarks of Arctic Cat Inc., Thief River Falls, MN 56701. Arctic
Cat ATVs are world-class products from Arctic Cat Inc.
WWW.ARCTICCAT.COM
home for two weekends from November to
Name: Corey Berberich
Challenges of Snocross? The weather is a major
the end of March.
challenge. These snocross sleds run completely
Hometown: Brooks, Minn.
How do you pass the time on the road? You different on homemade snow, versus fluffy
Age: 29
fresh stuff, or even slushy snow. Lots of times
meet a lot of nice friends on the snocross race
you are battling weather from 40 degrees to
circuit. Other than spending time with them,
Job Description: Race shop technician
minus 40 degrees. These sleds also take an
I usually listen to my iPod while traveling or
Years on Tour: 10
extreme beating because the pro athletes are
watch movies.
How did you get started in snowmobile How many sleds do you work on during a race, flying 20 feet in the air and pounding through
racing? My dad used to take us to watch races or leading up to the race? Our team has six extreme terrain.
when I was younger. Then I started racing
Can you list some machines you work with?
sleds we work on at the races and during
and went on from there.
Best moment on the job?
Getting Kurtis
Crapo his first WPSA win last year at the West
Yellowstone race in front of all his friends,
family and Arctic Cat crowd. I was also
involved in helping Trevor John and Robbie
Malinoski capture their first WPSA Pro wins.
A moment I’d like to forget: I was on a test
trip in Cable, Wis., when the furnace blew up
in our race trailer. I got burned really bad and
had to be hauled 100 miles by ambulance to
the Duluth Burn Center.
What is a typical week like? Monday usually
starts witth off-loading the race trailer. After
that, we pressure-wash everything so we
can work with a clean snowmobile. The rest
of the week is spent thoroughly checking
over and breaking down each piece of the
snowmobile to ensure no parts are broken
and everything is intact. Then we load up and
head out again.
What is your travel schedule like?
Very
busy. For the close races we leave Friday and
return Sunday night. Then there are the races
out East where we are gone three weeks at
a time. Also, the X-Games, in Aspen, Colo.,
involve a long stretch of time considering
you test, test, test for a couple minutes of
television time on ESPN. Basically we are
the week. We also work on a few other sleds
during the week that the racers use as practice
machines.
I work on Arctic Cat Sno Pro 440 Stock machines
as well as Sno Pro 600 Mod sleds.
How many techs work with you? Just one,
the summer, I spend my time rebuilding
the snowmobiles we used in the past
race season so they can be sold to other
racers. Toward the end of summer, I set
up the shop for the upcoming season. For
pleasure I spend a lot of time at the lake with
my family and attend as many dirt track car
races as possible.
Brian (Hector) Olson.
What is involved in preparing each sled for
a particular rider? Each rider likes their sled
setup differently. We start by helping the rider
feel comfortable on the sleds. That involves
setting up their handlebars, risers and controls,
and – depending on the size of the rider
– sometimes we cut down the foam in their
seats if they are shorter. From there, we dial
in their shocks depending on their weight and
riding style.
Other challenges? Making sure everything is
ready for the weekend from the sleds to the
truck and trailer is a lot of work. We have
to keep everything running smoothly. If you
forget something at the shop and are on the
road for a couple weeks, it could cause you
some heartaches … or headaches.
Al Shimpa, left, and Corey
Berberich in the race shop
What do you do in the off-season? During
On the Web :
Want to learn more about snowmobile racing? Visit
arcticcat.com and click on the snowmobile image, then
the racing link.
Frank’s racket
Buster SBpec
s
605 cu. in. big-bl
ock Chevy
1,100 horsepow
er
682 ft. lb. torque
JE pistons
Carrillo rods
Crower crank, ch
rome plated
Dart 360 heads
Dart intake man
ifold
Holley 1150 carb
uretors (2)
LSM Systems En
gineering cam
Jesel timing and
rocker arms
Competition Cam
lifters
MSD Pro Billet fro
nt-mount distrib
utor
Turbo 400 trans
mission
Cheetah air shift
er
Dana 60 rear en
d w/4.56 gears
Weld Pro Star wh
eels
33.5 X 15 X 15
Goodyear rears
7.50 X 15 X 3.5
Goodyear fronts
Y
ou’d probably say the same thing if the
world’s oldest licensed competition racer just
laid an 8.61 whuppin’ on your butt. Frank Peardon
doesn’t mind. The 90-year-old has heard that refrain
and a lot worse over the course of the past 30 years.
That’s when he bought a used 1972 Chevelle Malibu
SS for $450 and turned it into a nice 11- to 12second street-class winner. But why stop there?
As told by the Fargo, N.D.-native, along about
1984 at age 68, he went “completely berserk.” Frank
began transforming the mild street machine into a
ground-pounding bracket buster. What emerged in
1990 was an 8-second door slammer that topped
out above 169 mph. Not bad for a great grandpa
whom none other than the NHRA has recognized
since 1994 as its current oldest licensed competitor.
Frank has been a regular at the Great Lakes
Dragaway in Union Grove, Wis., since 1960. His
proudest moment came over the 1994 Labor Day
weekend when he won eight of 10 match races and
lost the ninth by 1/1000. The front end pulls twofoot wheelies, and 1.22-second 60-ft. times are
the norm.
Since moving to Milwaukee at age 6 and starting
to work as a truck driver and a mechanic after the
9th grade, Frank has used more Snap-on tools than
he can remember. By his estimate, he’s retained
about $10,000 worth. “There’s nothing like ’em,”
says Frank. “You just can’t beat Snap-on.”
Although officially retired in 1979, Frank and
his 2006 Chevy pickup are still running messenger
trips throughout the state of
Wisconsin, including 500- to
600-mile round trippers. “Social
Security would like to see my
obituary,” he says with a twinkle
in his eye. In deference to the
up-and-comers, Frank and
his ’72 Chevelle are just about
ready to give up the business of
winning.
Winter 2006 I Tech Magazine • 15
I thought that tool does
everything?
by Scot Manna
>>MODIS
>>MODIS
™
™
W
hile fiddling with my shop laptop
configuring a new PC-based scan
tool one of the many tool distributors that stops by my shop asked me
what I was doing. When I told him,
he pointed to my MODIS sitting on its mobile cart and
asked why I needed another scan tool and said sarcastically, “I thought that tool does everything?” I began to
explain to him just how difficult it is to fix all the different
vehicles today and told him the story of the repair that is
featured here.
The problem vehicle was a 1996 Chrysler Sebring
with a 2.5 V6 that was brought to me from another shop
with an intermittent stalling complaint and slight surge
at cruise. The shop had performed some diagnostics
The scan graph shows an engine stall
event. The MODIS cursor has been
placed where the rpm begins to drop.
Figure 1
and replaced the distributor with a rebuilt unit and had
also tried another PCM but the problem remained. When
the engine stalled it would always start right back up. A
problem that happens intermittently and does not seem
to stay around long can be quite challenging to fix. I have
many different tools in my diagnostic arsenal so the first
step was to decide what to use. I grabbed the Chrysler
factory scan tool, a DRB III, to check data and use the nostart test page the tool includes just in case the engine
stalled during my first test drive. Of course the car ran
fine and never stalled. I let the car sit awhile and drove it
again later. Before I pulled off the lot the engine stalled,
and just as the other shop stated, it started right back up.
The DRB no-start test screen was going to be of no use
for this problem. I knew I needed to see critical scan data
when the engine stalled and this is what makes graphing
scan tools so powerful. I connected my MODIS, built a
custom data list of the PIDs that would help in a diag-
nosis like this, and took off on another test drive. When
the engine stalled at idle again, the MODIS graphs were
captured.
The scan graph in figure 1 (above) shows an engine
stall event and the MODIS cursor has been placed where
the rpm begins to drop. The other PIDs selected can now
be moved on and off the screen to see what their values
were when the stall occurred. As can be seen, the Crank
and Cam signals remained normal as well as the Current
> 2005 FAST-TRACK Component Tests
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(Burn Time)
> 2005 Domestic Coverage including Expanded Chrysler, Ford and GM
– 1996-2005 GM Body Control (BCM) Bi-Directional Functional Tests
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> New! 2005 Asian Import Proprietary Coverage for 13 Vehicle Makes
– New System Coverage for Models as Far Back as 1997
– 2002-2005 Proprietary Codes and Data for Honda/Acura ABS
> Enhanced Data Graphing Performance (MODIS/SOLUS)
COMPONENT TESTS AND LAB SCOPE ENHANCEMENTS
> 2004 Domestic ABS Troubleshooter
– Dodge Truck RWAL and 4WAL ABS System Coverage
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Descriptions and Procedures
– New Code and Symptom Tip Sections for Hyundai, Kia
and Mitsubishi
> Over 11,000 Unique New Troubleshooter Tips, Tests and Procedures
Figure 3
SCANNER™ VEHICLE COMMUNICATION SOFTWARE
Figure 2
Sync value, so I did not feel the stall was being caused
by either of these input sensors. I needed to look at
other input sensors.
The data in figure 2 shows the A/C Pressure sensor
PID, the Fuel Allowed PID and the Fuel Pump Relay
command. The PCM is not shutting down fuel delivery
or turning off the fuel pump when the stall occurs.
There have been problems with A/C pressure sensors
shorting the 5-volt reference from the PCM but the
pressure sensor data is normal.
The MAP sensor voltage graph seen in figure 3 tells
the story. The voltage dropped to 400 millivolts before
bouncing back and this event triggered the stall. Once
the engine died, the MAP voltage returned to normal
at 4.5 volts and the engine would re-start.
A replacement MAP sensor fixed this intermittent
stall problem. While the Chrysler factory scan tool is
excellent, it cannot display serial data in a graphical
format.
It has been said many times in this business that
you can’t beat the right tool for the job. Increasing vehicle complexity has created the need for many specialized tools, and no one tool can do everything, but
this vehicle certainly highlights the true power of a
graphing scan tool like the MODIS.
Once again the MODIS came through and made
short work of this challenging diagnostic problem
FAST-TRACK ® TROUBLESHOOTER
SOFTWARE BUNDLE 6.4
> Hard jobs need tough software.
Software Bundle 6.4 from Snap-on. It’s what pros like Tom count on for
powerful, manufacturer-specific tips and solutions.
New models. More complex operating systems. They make a tech’s job tougher every day. Fortunately, techs
and shopowners can count on Snap-on to keep up. So you’ll find a wealth of new diagnostic information in
Bundle 6.4. Including Fast-Track component tests for 37 makes through 2005 — available for both MODISTM
and Vantage PROTM
. Plus thousands of new real world diagnostic solutions from top techs in Fast-Track®
Troubleshooter, including 2004 Asian Driveability. Check out the specs. Then talk to your Snap-on dealer
about Bundle 6.4. You’ll discover that buying this tough software is a very easy decision.
> www.snapon.com/software > 800-424-7226
> MODISTM
> SOLUSTM
> Scanner TM
> Vantage PROTM
©2006 Snap-on Incorporated. All rights reserved. Snap-on, MODIS, SOLUS, and Scanner are trademarks of Snap-on Incorporated. All other marks are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders. Pictures are for illustration purposes only. Specifications are subject to change without notice.
S
Barbecue erupts
weet, sticky, hot flowing sweat poured off my face,
arms and body like a musky, musty waterfall of liquid
heatstroke.
My calves and thighs ached on fire. What were just
a few hours before a pair of brand new military combat boots now
fluttered in the jungle wind like shrapnel-tattered remnants of cloth,
leather and Vibram shards. I’ve never been more handsome, smiling
and giggling with every insane high-spirited lunge up and over one
jagged lava rock jamble after another.
The distant bellering of maniacal hound music lured me on as
if possessed by some primal force, providing SpiritWild adrenalin
dumpage the likes of which only Davy Crockett, Chesty Puller and
Lewis and Clark could have known.
I scrambled on, driven, inspired, called by the wild in all its
pureness. I was the tooth, the hog dogs, the fang, and somewhere up
ahead was an angry prehistoric hellporker, ready, willing and able
to provide deadly claw to round out the trifecta of predator, prey and
chase perfection. I was one with the wind. I began to howl dogspeak
in tongues. Rawdogs and warhogs are us.
I don’t remember any Hawaiian tourist brochures depicting what
is obviously the most powerful attraction to the Island Paradise, but I
don’t need no stinking brochure! I could taste the Good Mother Earth
in all her glory. I was the flea in the hair of the big momma dog. Eye of
her storm. Scream in her night. Growl in her belly.
Charge of the kill brigade up San Juan PorkChop Hill. Fire down
below, up and over, rover! The rip-roaring hound music was
getting closer. Maybe I am the MotorCity MadMan! Maybe I am the
WhackMaster! Maybe I am killboy McPork the BBQ god of hellfire!
Whatever. One thing for sure, if I don’t catch up to the pack of hounds
pronto, I would surely crash snoutfirst into the next labyrinthine
ravine of merciless lava rock and course vegetation, never to be seen
or heard from again. For no one other than addicted hunt nuts like us
would ever venture into such inhospitable terrain simply to kill a pig.
But, hey, that’s me and my BloodBrothers.
Another joint-snapping, skin-shredding struggle through a tangle
of snarling vines and impenetrable blowdowns, and suddenly, there
they were. Four wild pig-hungry hounds raising more hell than a gang
of bikers out of gas and dope. And one crazed, bristling, longtoothed
alpha Polynesian wild boar. It was beautiful.
Mark and I charged headstrong into the melee just as the lead
pitbull cross-snatched the boar’s right ear with a canine deathgrip
T-Rex would be proud of. Without hesitation, I yanked my hunting
knife from its sheath, and with blazing predator eyes and throbbing
hunter’s heart, I looked clean through the beast’s struggling armpit,
and lunged the 6-inch blade fast and hard into the pumpstation.
With an earth-shattering pigsqueal scream and a guttural snort, it
ended. The beast is dead, long live the beast.
BBQ erupted.
The kill was over in a blink. Blood covered my right arm to the pit,
knifeblade dripping bubbling crimson goo. The pack of this man’s
best friends worried the dead beast, and got even for a few minutes.
I call it true love, for the sheer glory and joy displayed by these
natural creatures of God’s perfect hunting design, howling, running,
yipping, chasing, hounding, bellering, barking, scrambling, climbing,
swimming, falling, jumping, snarling, biting, killing, chewing machines,
are like a ballet of primal scream artwork.
I pity the poor soul who never gets to join in a death-defying run
with these wonderful animals. Your nose hasn’t lived ’til it’s vacuumed
the skanky air surrounding the killsite of freshly stabbed jungle pork
and sweating, fuming dogs and men. Courtney Love wishes.
Hogs were made to hunt; this is certain. They were also made to get
away and survive, the latter being standard operating procedure. Hence
the challenge and relative fun factor. I like getting after them with bows
and arrows, compounds, recurves, longbows, crossbows, black powder
long guns and handguns. I like long-range scoped centerfire sniper rifle
“get even” hunts. I like ambushing them in the everglades, waylaying
them in hedgerows around croplands. My favorite is cutting them off
at the pass in acorn-carpeted oakwoods and over scattered kernels of
shellcorn by the river.
I’ve joined BareFoot Bob on chase, catch and tie hunts behind his
mystical hogmaster hounds. I’d like to shoot them out of helicopters with
riot shotguns and machineguns on pig infested grounds where such
damage control is critical as a result of foolish lack of quality control
where regular hunting methods have been compromised or outlawed.
when Ted hunts
the hogs
Even limited to proven, sound wildlife management methodologies,
hog hunting is a grandtime everytime, I assure you. But when ya
gotta get right in there, right in their faces with a knife to get ’er done,
something very special occurs, and you become one with the swine.
Invigorating, to say the least.
If ever the U.S. Marine’s warrior mantra of “improvise, overcome
and adapt” was pivotal, it is surely when knife hunting for pigs with
a pack of special ops trailing, fighting, catch and kill dogs. A higher
level of stamina and a much higher level of tactical awareness can
mean life and death. And not just for the hounds and hogs, but for the
hunter as well.
I have seen a peak-of-the-game, ultra-fit young man unzipped stem
to stern by the razorsharp whipping tusks of an angry boar before you
can know what is happening. They are that fierce and that fast. Think
Muhammad Ali with ninja fighting blades. It happens before you can
imagine. The real trick to killing the hog with a knife before he kills you
is all about knowing when and how to move. And of course that is all
predicated upon the valiant teamwork and experience of the dogs in
the fight.
The best packs of hog hounds I’ve run with make a pack of wolves
look downright clumsy. Full-time houndsman Scott Young of California
and the infamous BareFoot Bob of Abilene, Texas, are as good as they
get. There are the coldtrailers that pick up the oldest and faintest of
remnant scent in order to start the chase. Then you have the singers
by Ted Nugent
that can light up a mountain with their spine-chilling cacophony.
Good walkers, redbones, bloodhounds, blueticks, curs, black and
tans and other assorted trailing hounds have varying voice indicators
that will instantly tell the hunters if the hog or bear or cat is in sight,
bayed on the ground or treed. It is the tantalizing dogsong that is so
very special when the dogs actually see the critter and surround it,
working and raising hell as a team that really lights my fire.
The spirit of the moment has a powerful life of its own. Timeless,
pure, intense, earthly, primal, wild and wonderful.
When attempting to stab a very upset, defiant boar, the unique
talents of a catch-and-hold dog must be perfected. Bulldogs, Mastiffs,
Rhodesian Ridgebacks and ultra tough pitbulls can have it in them
to be trained to latch onto an ear, the head, snout and/or legs and
haunches of a circled boar and hang on like there is no tomorrow.
It is then, amongst the adrenalin slamming outrage of insane dog
noise and twisting, spinning delirium that an accurate lunge must be
made directly into the heart of the hog.
At this moment, the dogs have control of the pig, the other dogs are
keeping his life and death struggle overwhelming, and an instant hard
thrust of the knife blade must go low into the crease behind the fighting
hog’s foreleg. In deep with a hard push and a twist, then out fast and
back away. With the hounds still all over the outflanked porker, the
bloodflow will spell near instant doom for the valiant combatant. Once
the pig runs out of steam, the pack of hounds will lose interest, and an
amazing quiet and calm will come over the arena.
And don’t feel sorry for the big, black ugly pig. More times than not,
the dogs never catch up. And just as often, they only briefly get in some
fighting and have their own hides severely damaged by a powerful
adversary that is well equipped to take care of itself. Many a welltrained dog has bled to death after taking a tusk or two in the belly.
Many more have had life saving impromptu suturing in the field, forced
out of the race for weeks and weeks of recovery. The hunt goes on.
So get after those hogs. Let the big dogs run. And run with ’em.
The hell with Stairmasters and treadmills and stairclimbers. Why
would anyone pay to go to a sterile, indoor gym for exercise when the
Great Call of The Wild beckons you back into the bowels of the Good
Mother Earth?
Life ain’t no spectator sport, kids. It’s supposed to be “hands on.”
Hounds on. Knives in. BBQ on. Get ’er done. Get it on. Hit the wild, back
where you belong. And give the mighty warrior mutts an extra biscuit
and fresh heart and liver for old Uncle Ted, won’t ya?
They deserve it.
On the Web :
For more Nuge hunt stories in his book, “Bloodtrails – The Truth About Bowhunting,”
or to book a hunt with Ted Nugent, visit tednugent.com or call Sunrize Safaris at
800-343-HUNT (4868).
Antifreeze not
‘simply green’anymore
T
hough it’s easy to forget, just over
10 years ago the antifreeze and
coolant market was still “simply green” –
nearly all coolants were basic conventional
silicated formulas, green in color, and
provided standard 2-year/24,000-mile
protection.
Beginning in 1995, the entire OEM
antifreeze market began its shift to
5-year/150,000-mile Extended Life
technology with the introduction of GM’s
Dex-Cool formula. For consumers, this
lengthened the antifreeze changeout
interval considerably. Today, new vehicles
from all automakers roll off the assembly
line with some form of extended-life
antifreeze.
Adding to the complexity, many
carmakers changed the color of their
antifreeze to include almost all the colors
of the rainbow. As a result, choosing the
proper aftermarket antifreeze became
confusing for both do-it-yourselfers and
professional technicians. Even worse, it
became unacceptable to “top-off” or flush
and fill a vehicle’s cooling system with just
any antifreeze – special care needed to
be taken in selecting the right antifreeze
based on the make, model and year.
Fortunately, new all-makes-and-models
antifreeze products like PEAK® Global
LifeTime™ and PEAK® Long Life® emerged.
These items make antifreeze simple
again, providing up to 5-year/150,000mile protection for all cars and light-duty
trucks, regardless of make, model, age, or
original antifreeze color.
To make antifreeze recommendations
with confidence, professional installers can
rely on these easy-to-remember guidelines:
n All-makes-and-models extended
life products such as PEAK Long
Life and PEAK Global LifeTime are
recommended for:
u1994-newer GM vehicles
u2002-newer Ford and
Chrysler vehicles
uAll Saturn vehicles
uAll Asian and European
vehicles
n For consumers who choose
not to upgrade to an allmakes-and-models extendedlife formula and still wish to
purchase a Conventional Green
2-year/24,000-mile antifreeze
for 1994-older GM or 2001-older
Ford or Chrysler vehicles, PEAK’s
original conventional green
antifreeze is ideal.
On the Web :
For a detailed application chart and more
info on each of these products, visit
peakantifreeze.com
By Mike Hanback
Y
ou’ve worked hard all year and your
hunting vacation is right around the corner.
To help you make the most of your days in
the woods, I’ve pulled these popular Q&A topics off
my BIG BUCK ZONE blog at outdoorlife.com. I hope
a tip here or a tactic there will help you stack your
freezer with venison – and maybe put a nice rack on
your wall. After you’re done reading, get out there and
shoot your bow, sight-in your gun and start scouting.
Another deer hunting season is almost here!
Q. Every time I sneak into my tree stand I jump four or
five deer. What am I doing wrong? Travis, N.Y.
A. You are trying to access your stand from the wrong
direction, likely walking too close to or through a deer
bedding area. Check an aerial photograph and map a
new route 200 to 400 yards right or left of where you’ve
spooked deer. Put the wind in your face when you sneak
in, and use foliage and terrain breaks to cover your
moves. Get to your stand or blind without bumping one
deer and your odds of seeing a shooter buck later in the
day go way up.
Q. Should I use a traditional three-blade broadhead
or one of the new mechanical heads for bowhunting?
Tom, Mont.
A. This is a frequent question with no clear-cut answer.
If you’ve had good success with a good old 100-grain
Muzzy or Thunderhead over the years, stick with it.
But don’t be afraid to test-shoot an expandable model,
which is designed to fly more accurately like a field
point, especially with today’s carbon arrows. If you put
a mechanical with a 2-inch cutting diameter in the right
place – behind a deer’s shoulder and
through both lungs – that animal
won’t go far, and the heavy blood
trail will be easy to follow.
Q. I haven’t had much luck hunting
buck scrapes. What do you suggest?
Em, Pa.
A. A University of Georgia study found
that three, five or more bucks might
paw like crazy on one ridge, while
scrapes only 300 yards away might
go cold overnight. If you hunt a set
of scrapes for two or three days and
don’t see a buck, pull out of there and
scout for hotter scrapes on the next
ridge or in a nearby bottom. You might
hit the mother lode. The Georgia study also found that
when scrapes are red-hot, almost every buck large and
small that travels through the area will veer over to smell
and/or paw them.
Q. What scent should I use, buck or doe? Dave, Minn.
A. Probably 80 percent of the deer lure sold in America
is doe-in-heat, but I’ve actually had better success with
buck urine or “tarsal.” I set some out from Halloween
through Nov. 10, when bucks prowl hard for the first does
to breed. If an 8-pointer smells your tarsal, he’ll think a
rival is working the area for does, too. He might come to
investigate your stink and give you a shot.
Q. I’ve seen a huge 10-pointer feeding in a soybean field for
two weeks. Will he still be around when bow season opens
next month? Tim, Mo.
A. Chances are he will, especially if you hunt 300 acres or
more with a good variety of crops, acorns and other foods.
Most mature bucks have home ranges of only several
hundred to 1,000 acres. If you spot the “hard-horned”
buck once or twice more after he strips the velvet
off his new rack in mid-September, you can
figure he’s settled into his fall core area and
will live close by for the next few months.
Q. What’s the best rifle bullet for whitetails?
Sheri, N.C.
A. Since you’ll usually get only one or two
chances at a buck each fall, I say use a hardhitting, premium bullet, like the
Nosler Partition, Trophy Bonded Bear
Claw or Remington Core-Lokt (my three
favorites). Any cartridge from the .270 to
the 7mm Magnum that shoots a 140- to
165-grain bullet accurately will work fine
for whitetails.
Q. What is the best big-buck sign to scout for? Jim, W. Va.
A. Wide, deep, splayed tracks 3 inches or longer are left by a
buck. As a rule, only a buck with a good-sized rack mauls trees
4 to 8 inches in diameter in late October and November. Find
a concentration of big, fresh tracks and rubs and you’ve got a
nice 8- or 10-pointer working your area.
Mike Hanback, the deer-hunting editor for Outdoor Life
magazine and outdoorlife.com, has been writing about the
outdoors for more than 20 years. He is co-host of the TV
show “Whitetail Revolution” on the Versus channel. For
your daily fix of deer stories and photos, hunting news and
the latest tactical and gear advice, check out his BIG BUCK
ZONE blog at mikehanback.blogs.com
Q. I hunt in a shotgun-only area.
Will I do all right with a 2-inch slug
or should I go with a 3-inch load?
Sam, Iowa
A. The only real advantage with a
3-inch slug is the extra bullet weight.
This gives you a bit more terminal
energy (on-game energy). You’ll also
have a slightly flatter trajectory than a
2-inch load, but it’s negligible. Heavier
slugs also produce more heavy recoil.
Most deer hunters should stick with a
2-inch slug.
Q. I read in one of your Outdoor Life
articles that you pee off your tree
stand. Is that right? Rob, Md.
A. I once used a urine bottle, but now
I look around to make sure no deer
are coming and then go right off my
stand. Urine is some 95 percent water
and virtually toxic-free. Several of the
country’s top whitetail biologists go
as far as to say that human urine is
actually an attractant for mammals,
including deer. Sounds weird but go
ahead and pee in the woods, it won’t
hurt a thing.
Q. I live in an area of several small
farms and houses. A giant 12pointer is living among us, but he’s
a ghost. I saw him once two years
ago and a neighbor saw him one
day last November, but that’s it,
even though we hunt most every
day. The buck makes big rubs and
scrapes everywhere, but we just
can’t see him. Got any suggestions?
Paul, Tenn.
A. You guys have been hunting this
monster too hard, turning him into
the secretive, nocturnal ghost that
he is. Try this: Stay out of your best
stands until three days before the
peak of your rut in November. Then
sneak in and hunt those stands
hard for the next seven to 10 days,
when the rut-wired beast will move
the most in daylight hours. You
might finally perform your longawaited exorcism.
On the Web :
Check out Mike Hanback’s BIG BUCK ZONE blog at
mikehanback.blogs.com
As a complex piece of kinetic engineering, Dan’s creation
allows toddlers, gearheads, and people who haven’t the faintest
idea how internal combustion engines function to view their
inner workings in action. “A lot of hot rodders have told me
they’ve learned something from it,” Dan says. “And because it’s
built out of K’nex, kids are drawn to it. I think they get a sense of
what they could accomplish if they put their minds to it.”
Dan is honing his extensive practical experience with real
engines at Universal Technical Institute, an automotive school
where he is studying auto repair and diagnosis. He is graduating
in October and has a bright future. “My short-term goal is to
work for a dealership and learn the ropes,” he says. “Maybe
someday I can open up my own shop.”
“A lot of hot rodders have
told me they’ve learned
something from it.”
Definitely N t
Child’s Play
This unusual engine enlightens and entertains
D
an Jacob has spent the last two years of his life building
what must be one of the most unusual engines in the
world. Whenever he displays his creation at local car
shows, he draws a mob of awestruck adults and kids that is
often larger than the one surrounding the most tricked-out ride
on display.
Relying solely on his practical knowledge of automotive
engineering and mechanics, 22-year-old Dan, of Arlington
Heights, Ill., has designed and built a one-off V8 engine from
scratch, along with an attached supercharger and threespeed transmission. And boy, does this baby purr, even at
maximum rpm.
What makes Dan’s accomplishment truly unique is that his
engine is constructed entirely from 5,000-6,000 pieces of a
plastic toy called K’nex.
If you’re unfamiliar with K’nex, you must not have kids.
K’nex makes modeling and construction sets designed to
encourage youngsters’ imaginations. Prepackaged kits, some
containing hundreds of parts ranging from tiny hinges to large,
multi-toothed gears, can be bought to build toy roller coasters,
airplanes, boats and more.
Granted, K’nex is a toy. But make no mistake: Dan’s engine
is anything but a toy. And you certainly won’t find a kit like
this on the shelves of Toys “R” Us. This full-size working
engine features:
• Eight pistons rotating around the crankshaft
• Chain-driven camshaft, which opens and closes push rods,
rocker arms and valves
• Distributor that rotates off the camshaft
• Chain-driven, roots-style supercharger
• Two four-barrel carburetors, with linkage that opens and
closes butterflies
• Scoop mounted on top of the carburetors, with butterflies
synced to open and close with the carburetors
• Exhaust headers
• Manual transmission, with three forward gears and reverse,
coupled to a U-joint.
The engine isn’t powered by gasoline, nitrous, or any kind of
fuel. (Hey, it is plastic after all.) It gets its power from a cordless
Snap-on drill attached to the crankshaft. And it’s capable of
handling rpms that nearly top out the drill.
Based on his experience and abilities, this unpretentious,
amiable young man should have no problems getting off to
a good start; anyone considering hiring Dan need only take
one look at the plastic engine to see what Dan is capable of.
Among other things, it shows real engineering genius; keep in
mind the rods and many other K’nex pieces he used to fashion
the various components come in only a few sizes, significantly
complicating the design process. Overcoming that obstacle
underscores his tenacity and attention to detail – essential
traits for a good technician.
“Dan’s engine is very realistic,” says Dan Scholl, master
mechanic for Automotive Engine Rebuilders in Waukesha,
Wis. Scholl should know; his job is to build and rebuild the real
thing. “Building (a plastic engine) would be really tough,” he
says. “It would have to be strong enough to handle the torque,
Dan Jacob
Finance
plus there’s a lot of math to figure out, or the thing just
won’t run. For example, he would have to determine the
amount of stroke in the crank, index the crank shaft so the
piston timing is correct, and set the cam timing in relation
to the cylinders.”
Scholl adds that figuring out timing issues is only one of
many challenges. “Just for a guy to build a camshaft out of a
plastic toy and have it work properly is pretty impressive.”
Dan began working (it could hardly be called playing)
with K’nex when he was a wee lad of 10 years. “My older
brother Nick and I would always take the K’nex kits a step
or two farther than shown on the boxes,” he says. “We both
loved cars, and after a while we started building racecars
and dragsters a couple of feet long – some with full working
suspensions. You could take those cars and drop them from
a height of more than 4 feet and the suspension would
handle the drop.”
“My older brother Nick and I
would always take the K’Nex
kits a step or two farther
than shown on the boxes.”
Parents Nick and Tina Jacob
support Dan in his creative and
technical aspirations.
Dan credits the television show “American Chopper”
with providing the spark that fueled his imagination and
inspired him to take a childhood hobby to the extreme.
“When I saw them building custom bikes, I thought, ‘Hey, I
could do something like that!’ That got me thinking about
using K’nex, which I still fool with once in a while when I
have nothing else going on. I just finished customizing my
Chevy Nova and building an engine was an easy choice.
“The first time I took the completed engine to a car show,
I was really worried people would think, ‘Boy, is that dumb.’
But before I even finished unloading it from the car I had a
crowd of people gathered around,” Dan says.
One would think that a young man who spends his free
time with a kid’s toy might be thought of as a geek by his
friends. If anything, it has brought him more respect. “At
first, all my friends thought I was crazy for spending time
on something like this. But now that they’ve seen the final
result, they think it’s pretty cool,” he says.
When it comes to his hobby, Dan is already mulling over
his next project. “If I can get enough K’nex pieces, I want
to add on a full-size drive train complete with rear axle,”
he says.
One can only wonder if an entire full-size car made from
K’nex is not far behind.
On the Web :
knex.com
Saving for College? 529 it!
There are three givens:
1.Kids grow too fast.
2.College is expensive.
3.The time to start planning, and saving, is now.
Y
our child’s college or technical school
tuition could be one of the biggest
expenditures you ever make. And, if you
have more than one child … oh boy! If
there’s comfort in numbers, you’re facing
the same financial challenge as millions of others.
Fortunately, there are good options beyond a passbook
savings account at your bank or stuffing greenbacks
under your king-size mattress.
One powerful new investment vehicle is the 529 college
savings account. The odd name refers to Section 529 of
the Internal Revenue Code, which controls education
savings plans operated by a state or educational
institution designed to help families set aside funds for
future college costs.
Four significant advantages a 529 plan provides:
1. You get unsurpassed income tax breaks. Contributions
are made with after-tax monies, but your investment
grows tax-deferred, and distributions to pay for the
beneficiary’s college costs come out federally tax-free.
Plus, contributions can be made by anyone – parents,
grandparents, relatives and friends.
2. You, the donor, control the account. With few
exceptions, the named beneficiary has no rights to
the funds. You are the one who calls the shots; you
decide when withdrawals are taken and for what
purpose. Most plans even allow you to reclaim the
funds for yourself any time you desire, no questions
asked. (However, the earnings portion of the “nonqualified” withdrawal will be subject to income tax
and an additional 10 percent penalty tax.)
3. It can provide a very easy hands-off way to save for
college. Once you decide which 529 plan to use, you
complete a simple enrollment form and make your
contribution (or sign up for automatic deposits).
Then you can relax and forget about it if you like. The
ongoing investment of your account is handled by
the plan, not by you. Plan assets are professionally
managed either by the state treasurer’s office or
by an outside investment company hired as the
program manager. You won’t even receive a Form
1099 to report taxable or nontaxable earnings until
the year you make withdrawals. If you want to
move your investment around, you may change to
a different option in a 529 savings program every
year (program permitting) or you may roll over your
account to a different state’s program, provided
no such rollover for your beneficiary has occurred
during the prior 12 months. (There is no federal limit
on the frequency of these changes if you replace the
account beneficiary with another qualifying family
member at the same time.)
4. Everyone is eligible to take advantage of a 529 plan,
and the savings you can accumulate are substantial
(over $230,000 per beneficiary in many state plans).
Generally, there are no income limitations or age
restrictions.
Thinking about going to college in the future? Then set
up a plan for yourself!
On the Web :
savingforcollege.com/tutorial101/
IT’S GOING TO BE EASY
TO SEE WHO’S BEEN NAUGHTY
AND WHO’S BEEN VERY,
VERY, VERY NICE.
Health
Use caution in handling
workplace fluids
Given the incredible mechanics of the human
body, it can become too easy to ignore commonsense safety procedures when handling harmful
toxins found in typical tech work environments.
Techs work with many potentially health-harming
substances. For instance, used motor oil typically
contains toxic substances such as benzene,
lead, zinc, and cadmium. Automatic transmission
fluid, brake and power steering fluids also should
be handled with extreme care since harmful
substances can seep into your skin, forcing the
body’s detoxification system to take over.
THE HENRY GOLDEN BOY
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Guns & Ammo
Rifle of the Year
The rifle that brings out the West in you.
Henry rifles shoot great, look great, are built with the
smoothest actions, come with the famous Henry name and sell
for affordable prices. That’s why so many Henry rifles will be
given as gifts for the upcoming holiday season.
The Henry Lever Action, well known for its’ reliability,
accuracy, handsome looks and smooth action, is available in .22 LR,
Henr y Sur vival Rifle .22
Henr y Lever Action .22
Henr y Pump Action .22
Henr y .22 Magnum
Henr y Big Boy .44 Magnum
destined to be a family heirloom that will be handed down from
generation to generation.
The unique Henry U.S. Survival rifle is ideal for any
outdoorsman seeking a rifle that easily fits in a backpack.
Our Henry Pump Action .22 brings back the days of the
old-fashioned shooting gallery.
Thinking about that first rifle for a youngster? Choose from
the new Henry Mini Bolt .22 or the Henry Lever Action Youth .22.
The new Henry Big Boy .44 Magnum and .45C were inspired
by the overwhelming demand of Henry rifle enthusiasts for a
centerfire rifle with a smooth and slick action. The solid brass
receiver and octagon barrel harken back to the first Henry rifles
built 140 years ago. It’s bound to satisfy the needs of big-game
hunters and Cowboy Action shooters as well.
Contact us today for our free color catalog. It will guide you
in selecting the Henry rifles that are just right for the loved ones
on your holiday shopping list. We wish all of you a joyous and
healthy holiday season. Have fun! Shoot safely! Enjoy!
Antifreeze, which contains ethylene glycol, is
probably the worst stuff that techs encounter.
Exposure to large amounts of ethylene glycol can
damage the kidneys, heart, and nervous system.
The stuff is slightly syrupy at room temperature
and is odorless, but has a sweet taste. Clearly,
all the safety garb should be used in handling
antifreeze and all precautions should be taken to
assure its proper disposal.
The human body has detoxification mechanisms
in place that work pretty darn efficiently, when not
overloaded.
We have seven ways to disable and eliminate
poisons:
•Liver – Changes harmful toxins into
substances that can be safely eliminated
through the colon or kidneys.
•Colon – Eliminates toxins from the liver and
digestive system.
•Blood – Transports wastes and toxins to
other channels of elimination.
•Lymphatic System – Eliminates wastes
from cells and blood.
•Skin – Eliminates wastes and toxins through
perspiration.
•Lungs – Expels toxins through breathing.
Deep breathing stimulates lymphatic flow to
eliminate toxins.
•Kidneys – The liver sends water-soluble
wastes to the kidneys, where they are
further filtered and eliminated through urine.
Filters nutrients and wastes from the blood.
Certainly, the body’s detoxification mechanisms
are designed to keep it running smoothly. But, like
a car engine, when the engine gets dirty, the car
does not run efficiently. When the body becomes
“dirty,” we can experience fatigue, headaches,
constipation, brain fog, depressed immune
function … and even worse.
Order your free Henry catalog
at WWW.HENRY-GUNS.COM/TECH
mail the coupon or call 718-499-5600
HENRY REPEATING ARMS CO.
110 8th Street
Brooklyn, New York 11215
Henr y Varmint Express .17 HMR
(Scope not included)
Henr y Mini Bolt .22
Name
Address
.22 Magnum, and the new .17 HMR varmint cartridge.
The award-winning Henry Golden Boy .22 LR or .22 Magnum,
a headturner with its octagon barrel and gleaming receiver, is
City
State
Zip
TECH
HENR Y REPEATING ARMS COMPANY
110 8th Street, Brooklyn, New York 11215 • Phone: (718) 499-5600 • Fax: (718) 768-8056 • www.henr y-guns.com/tech
A tax
A
break
that benefits
You
re you benefiting from a Tool Expense Program? What’s that, you ask? It’s a simple concept that separates
the value of your tools from the value of your labor and results in higher take-home pay for you. Repeat,
higher take-home pay for you.
With a Tool Expense Program, your tool
investment expense is either partially or
fully exempt of income tax – and the various
employment taxes that both you and your
employer pay.
Most techs know tool purchases are crucial
to a successful career. To even qualify for a first
job, apprentice techs must own an assortment
of basic tools. Tool ownership also is essential
for career advancement; additional tools help
seasoned techs become more efficient and
productive by keeping up with the latest vehicle
designs and systems technologies.
Investing in Your Career
Techs need a method to minimize the net
cost of tool purchases, thereby increasing their
take-home pay and making it easier for them
to reinvest in their careers. Cash Management
Systems, or CMS, has developed a program that
does this.
Key to the program is accurately separating
the value of the technician’s tools from his or
her labor pay. CMS applies the technician’s tool
expense, thus reducing the tax burden on the
tool portion. The percentage of tool pay will
vary based on the tech’s circumstances.
Instead of receiving 100 percent pay for labor,
techs will receive two entries on their pay – for
example, 70 percent pay for labor and 30 percent
for tools. “This results in increased take-home
pay and offers technicians the ability to buy
more and/or better tools in order to advance
their careers and be more productive,” said
Bruce Lemay, Executive Vice President of CMS.
Removing the Complexities
Although Tool Expense Programs first
appeared during the 1940s, the accounting
issues are cumbersome and complex, which
is why few employers have set up such
programs. In recent years, the concept has
become increasingly popular as third-party
administrators such as CMS have made
programs easier to implement.
“It isn’t impossible for a company to launch
this on their own, but close to it,” Lemay said.
“Administering a Tool Expense Program, as well
as keeping all the financial information straight,
would require voluminous record keeping for
any payroll department.
With a Tool Expense Program, everyone
wins, Lemay said. “Techs are going to keep
more of their hard-earned dollars. They have
more money to reinvest in their careers, and
new tools, which makes them more productive.
We also work closely with employers and
employees, encouraging the technicians to
direct some of the monies to their 401(k) or
retirement plan.”
Employers like the tax savings, but the biggest
benefit is that the program gives businesses a
competitive advantage in terms of attracting
and retaining quality employees, Lemay said.
“Progressive business owners realize the
techs’ tool investments help them become
more productive,” Lemay said. “Offering our
program demonstrates a higher commitment to
technicians and their careers.”
The program is set up between CMS and
employers. CMS earns a processing fee from
the business owner and from participating
techs. The fee is a small portion of the tax
benefit, so techs always have more money
in their paychecks. There also is peace of
mind knowing that CMS stays up-to-date on
constantly evolving tax codes.
On the Web :
To learn more, ask your employer to contact Cash
Management Systems at 866-4CMSPAY (866-426-7729)
or go on-line at cmspay.com. You can even e-mail Bruce
Lemay at [email protected].
Tech Benefits
• Increased take-home pay
• No enrollment fees
• Enhanced job performance,
productivity and promotion
opportunities by investing in tools
• Increased retirement security
through additional contributions to
savings and/or 401(k) plans
‘They’re
a hoot to ride’
T
he development of the JASPERthemed V8 trike took months. And
just like that, the project became
a blur.
“We did some tweaking and I took
it for a test drive,” says Scott Barrier
of Vendetta V8 Motorcycles, which
developed the JASPER trike. “I was doing
120 somewhere between an eighth and
a quarter mile. It’s so much fun you can
hardly stand it.”
The trike has caught plenty of
attention, especially when it slows
down long enough to take a look at. It
was enthusiastically received during an
event at Jasper Engines & Transmissions.
On hand were camera crews because
the development of the trike has aired
on the Men’s Channel, and is likely
to show up on other broadcasts. It
also made a splash at the Minnesota
Street Rod Association show, where it
drew the admiration and questions of
automotive enthusiasts whose eyes are
always caught by a beautiful piece of
machinery.
Shortly after the Jasper Engines &
Transmissions reception, Barrier did his
“tweaking” and then hit the road for
the infamous test drive. “No, I was not
disappointed,” he says with a laugh.
The power that builds speed in a
hurry is supplied by Jasper Engines &
Transmissions. JASPER is supplying all
V8s to Vendetta, a Spencer, Ind.-based
business that started only a few months
ago, though the founders are not new to
the game.
“I’ve been building things out of steel
for 25 years,” Barrier says. The other
Vendetta partners, Warren Evans and
Scot Hough, carry similarly impressive
credentials.
The business partners had a relationship
Engine:
with JASPER before forming the new
company. Their knowledge of JASPER
made it their first choice.
“I could not be more pleased to team
up with Jasper Engines & Transmissions,”
Evans says. “With their power plant in our
Vendetta V8, we will set a new standard
by which all other automotive-powered
motorcycles will be judged.”
The fit works for JASPER as well.
“We are always looking for new markets
for our line of quality remanufactured
engines, and Vendetta has offered us a
very unique one,” says Tom Schrader,
Vice President of Strategic Development
for JASPER.
It’s clear both JASPER and Vendetta
will benefit, but the ultimate winner is
whoever climbs on the trike.
“They are just horsepower crazy,”
Barrier says. “They’re just screamin’
machines. They’re a hoot to ride.”
On the Web :
jasperengines.com
vendettav8.com
300 hp 350 c.i. small-block
Chevy by Jasper Engines &
Transmissions – the exclusive
automotive V8 supplier to
Vendetta
Frame:
VENDETTA V8 TIG welded
chrome molly
Radiator:
Two-core – rear placement
Headers:
VENDETTA V8 insulated w/heat
shield
Exhaust:
Dual glass packs w/chrome tips
Fuel injection: Holley Ram Stealth multi-port
Distributor:
Mallory Billet
Heads:
Cast iron
Fan:
Electric
Water pump:
Electric
Transmission: Two-speed w/reverse – shorty glide
Torque converter: 2400 Stall
Brakes front: Dual disc
Brakes rear:
Disc – automotive
Front wheel:
3.5-21"
Front tire:
Avon 120/70-21
Rear wheels:
10.5-18"
Rear tires:
Nitto 305/55R18
Suspension:
Independent w/Air Ride
Technologies – dual controls
Wheelbase:
88"
Weight:
1,500 lbs.
Seat:
Stock aftermarket Softail – 25" seat height (approx.)
Fuel capacity: 11 gallons (est.)
MPG:
20
Red line:
5800 rpm
Max speed:
136 mph
b
bb
Prototypes of the new tool
in the hands of inventor Gus
Wessel, right. Below are more
prototype pieces.
How an idea becomes a Snap-on product
A
t age 14, Gus Wessel developed a
tool to help open tightly sealed jars.
He dreamed of bringing it to market
and hitting it big.
But the invention never got off the ground
– at least not for Wessel. “Years later I
saw it in a store,” Wessel says. “Someone
else came up with a similar idea and it
eventually made it to market. Now they’re
all over the place.”
Wessel, 45, didn’t hit the jackpot as a
teen, but he didn’t stop inventing, either. He
has come up with a few other ideas since,
and one is now being marketed as a new
product by Snap-on.
“It’s a dream come true,” Wessel says of
the development of his invention, the FZ1
– a 3/8" female and 3/8" male extension
capable of connecting various socket and/
or ratchet elements. The main application
is for accessing nuts and bolts in hard-toreach areas – including bell housing bolts,
engine mounts, and behind 10-wheeler
truck dashboards.
Wessel, of Royal Palm
Beach, Fla., came up
with the tool idea while
working as a technician on
Mercedes Benz vehicles.
“Mercedes has an
engine mount that won’t
allow you to get to the
top fastener,” Wessel
says. He fought with
that mount for the
better part of 10
years while working
as a tech. Eventually
he pulled out the
torch and bent an
existing tool here
and another tool
The final product
there. “I was able to
get to it,” he says.
It was rudimentary, at best, but it gave
him an idea. He later developed a working
tool that was a significant improvement.
And now, a production version of that tool
is being sold exclusively through Snap-on.
How did Wessel go from an idea to a
contract with Snap-on?
The process started with his Snap-on
Dealer, who supplied him with the
necessary paperwork. The completed
documents were forwarded to a Snap-on
review committee, and then the idea was
shown to professional technicians for input.
“After we receive the feedback, the
product development team decides if it
will proceed,” says Dan Eggert, product
development manager for handtools at
Snap-on.
One benchmark is whether the tool can
be applied in several applications. The
development team believes Wessel’s tool
meets that requirement.
“A lot of techs will find applications that
we haven’t thought of yet,” says Scott
Amundson, product manager at Snap-on.
“It can be used with ratchets, extensions,
breaker bars, and crowfoot wrenches.
You can use one connector or multiple
connectors depending on how difficult it is
to get at the fastener. There will be plenty
of applications.”
If the field tests
are positive, as
they were with
Wessel’s invention,
the development team
works with the manufacturing plant or
vendor to bring the product to market.
It took about six months from filing the
paperwork to bringing the product to
market in October, Wessel says.
He has a few inventions under his belt
– including a chain wrench. He invented
that tool years ago and tried to market and
distribute it himself. Doing so was more
difficult than coming up with the invention,
Wessel explains.
“Inventing is easy,” he says. “Marketing
is tough. The beauty of Snap-on is the
dealers see a million techs each week. If I
went out and did it on my own, how could I
match that marketing?”
Wessel advises other inventors to apply
for patents because “it protects you and
adds credibility to your product.” He
also recommends letting the pros do the
marketing.
He is thrilled to have his idea become
a working tool. “I’m absolutely glad I did
it,” Wessel says. “Part of the reason is I
get satisfaction out of knowing I created
something that is of use to others.
“When somebody buys it and uses it, it’s
like, ‘Wow, they really thought something of
my creation.’”
Send Us a Winner
Snap-on will pay you for an idea we bring to
market. And from now until the end of the
year, you can win a roll cab or other valuable
prize just for a great tool idea. See the tool
suggestion form in this issue for details.
T
he day started out too windy, rainy and dreary for a
pleasant motorcycle ride. But that didn’t discourage the
dozens of participants in the first-ever Snap-on Tool
Thunder Ride, which took place in August in the picturesque
hills near the Snap-on plant in Elizabethton, Tenn.
The dedicated technicians, dealers, plant employees
and Snap-on corporate staff, all of whom share a love of
motorcycles, were rewarded for their optimistic expectation
of better weather. While it looked a little bleak at first, the
rain and clouds graciously parted and gave way to a glorious
afternoon, perfect for riding through some of the most beautiful
scenery in the country.
There is a certain poetic justice in the fact that Mother
Nature extended the courtesy
of good weather to
the Thunder Riders.
That’s because the
Thunder Ride owes
its existence, and its
purpose, to that same
concept of courtesy.
“Last year I came
down to visit the
Elizabethton plant,
which is our primary
wrench, ratchet and
puller facility, and
when the guys found
out my wife and I each
have our own Harleys,
they invited us to
come back sometime and go for a ride,” says Al Biland, Senior
Vice-President, Snap-on Incorporated, and President, Snap-on
Tools LLC. “I could tell they
were sincere, and that really
meant a lot to me. Then when
I learned that the Tennessee
State Harley Owners Group
was going to hold their 2006
rally in that area, I just knew
we had to do something.”
The Elizabethton plant
sits along the edge of the
Appalachian Mountains,
a stone’s throw from the
famous Appalachian Hiking
Trail. Established in 1974, it
produces more than 2,500
tools. There are no official
figures on how many of the
plant’s 400 employees are
motorcycle enthusiasts,
but judging from the
warm reception the Thunder Riders received, it’s a significant
number.
“We thought this would be a great way to let our customers,
dealers, and plant employees know how much we
appreciate them, and to have some fun at the same time,” says
Kai Kazarian, Manager of Sales Communication. “More than
a few people in the plant are motorcycling enthusiasts. So we
thought, what
better way to say
thanks for their
efforts than to
organize a relaxing
motorcycle ride!”
“What makes the
Thunder Ride so
special is that it
gives everyone
a chance to
mingle and get
The first-ever Thunder Riders..
The day was perfect for Thunder Riders to
cruise through the picturesque Tennessee
countryside.
to know each other in a friendly, casual setting – almost like
a family reunion,” says Biland, as he makes some last minute
adjustments to his 1979 Harley-Davidson Police Road King.
“And we’re all bikers – just about the friendliest bunch of
people in the whole world – so you know it’s going to be a
good time.”
As part of Thunder Ride, the plant was opened up for a few
hours, so the riders and their families could see first-hand the
many steps that go into making Snap-on tools. “We thought
it would be nice to invite people from the HOG Rally to come
by too, and quite a few of them showed up,” says Kazarian.
“Everyone who went on the tour received a special engraved,
commemorative half-inch combination wrench. Thunder Riders
also received a special do-rag and commemorative patch.”
By the time Biland said a few words of thanks to the crowd
and the riders took off en masse, the skies had brightened
considerably. The riders enjoyed perfect weather as they
cruised side roads heading toward the
northern part of Cherokee National Forest.
Covering 640,000 acres, the forest is the
largest tract of public land in Tennessee,
and is home to more than 20,000 species
of plants and animals. It is nestled in the
Southern Appalachian Mountain Range,
and bisected into two regions by the Great
Smoky Mountains. The park’s majestic peaks
and lush valleys form an ever-changing
panorama, representing Mother Nature at her
very best.
Near the highest point on the trail, riders
were limited to speeds of 15 mph in order to
navigate the narrow, twisting path through
dense forest. After that, they crossed Butler
Left to right,
Snap-on Dealer
Al Santiago with
his wife, Denise;
tech Ron Kelly
with daughter
Robin and wife,
Jean
Bridge, a two-lane span several hundred feet long
and hundreds of dizzying feet above the forest
valley below. The long, narrow bridge was a favorite
among many Thunder Riders.
“We couldn’t believe the mountains, and that
bridge was really something,” says Ronald Kelly,
who owns Stoney Valley Service in Dauphin, Pa. He
rode in with wife, Jean, and they hooked up with
his daughter Robin. “The whole experience was
awesome!”
Bobby Wilkins, owner of Wilkins Garage, rode in
from Holly Hill, Fla. He says his favorite part of the
ride was the twisting trail. “The more crooked the
better, and we had a lot of that. This was a really
great trail.”
Later, the convoy thundered in to the rest stop
at Lake Watauga for some well-deserved rest and
refreshments, and of course, more breath-taking
scenery. Lake Watauga spans more than 6,400 acres
at a level of 2,000 feet, and is a favorite destination
of boaters and water skiers, for its postcard-quality
view and calm, mountain-fed waters.
The riders dismounted their steel steeds, drank
in the scenery along with some hydration, strolled
along the shore and took pictures, and sat in the
shade. “This whole trip is what motorcycling is
all about,” says Wilkins, who just had his picture
taken with some dealer friends. “I can’t imagine
anything better than this.” Judging from the smiles
and camaraderie among his fellow Thunder Riders,
neither could anyone else.
’54 4x4
Tech Bobby
Wilkins (front
left) surrounded
by Snap-on
Dealers
The Clover Hill Vineyards & Winery at
Breinigsville, Pa., provided a very appropriate location
to photograph Craig Brinker’s Vintage ’54 4x4
L
Marty and Al Biland
ike aging a fine vintage wine, it took Craig Brinker of
Kutztown, Pa., seven years, thousands of hours and
a small pile of cash to accumulate parts, modify, and
restore a 1954 Chevrolet Sedan Delivery. Whether measured by chrome plating, powder coating, uniqueness of
the running gear or attention to detail, this very cool ride
attracts admiring stares everywhere it goes and shows.
Found in a Hemmings Motor News classified ad, the $300
truck was dragged home from Berwick, Pa., on the hook
of the Brinker’s Garage tow truck. At a lunch stop only 30
minutes into the trip, the sedan delivery attracted plenty of
attention and a very generous purchase offer. Craig’s answer
was a resounding, “Thanks, but no thanks!” The first two
years of ownership were devoted to attending swap meets
and scouring salvage yards for parts and trim. The hood
halves were found in two locations. A ’54 Bel Air donor car
provided much needed trim pieces, and a ’54 210 wagon was
purchased primarily for its heavy-duty heater with a few odds
and ends thrown in. NOS front fenders completed the gathering phase.
Conversion to a 4x4 was at the center of Craig’s vision.
After evaluating many options, he settled on a ’74 Jeep
Wagoneer chassis. It provided a near perfect match in terms
of length, width and wheelbase. The frame was stripped to
bare metal, mounting brackets were
removed, and unneeded holes were
filled. Special pedestals were fabricated
to match the sedan delivery’s 10 threaded body mounts.
To accommodate a Chevy small
block, the firewall was recessed 8 inches.
The rear axle was moved 5.5 inches forward. The full array of mounts and brackets for the drive train and other running
gear required careful attention to detail.
Based on trial-and-error engineering,
many prototypes were fabricated before
the final pieces were cut, machined and
fitted. Frame cross pieces were added for
extra support. Five muscle-toned friends
can attest to Craig’s penchant for perfection. They helped him lift the body on and
off 20-25 times to make sure everything fit
and functioned to his high standards.
The Jeep running gear was retained, including the
heavy-duty transfer case and a 3-speed transmission. The
front-wheel drive is fully functional. The 3.54 rear gear is
ideal for cruising comfortably at freeway speeds. Chevy
steering components keep the 4x4 tracking straight and
true. Stainless bolts hold everything together. The chrome
plater and powder coater loved to see Craig walk in their
doors. With the entire chassis and all running gear either
powder coated black or chrome plated, the bumper-tobumper underside is absolutely gorgeous.
A .030 over 350 Chevy provides plenty of snap. It sports
an Offenhauser intake and three Rochester 2-barrels. Large
Corvette exhaust manifolds were selected for their 2.5-inch
outlets. The cast iron was smooth-ground to perfection and
coated with Jet-Hot. The ignition is GM. For those sensitive
to reflected light, eye protection is recommended when the
hood is opened.
Craig’s penchant for detail carried over to the bodywork
and the interior. New rocker panels were fabricated, and
the floor pans from a ’55 Chevy were installed. A license
plate pocket from a ’77 Chevy van was molded into a
replacement rear door. A rear bumper from a 2-door sedan
without the step-down for the plate completed the look.
A right-rear power antenna is placed in the exact same
position as the gas cap on the left. The original visor was
stashed in the back when the sedan delivery was purchased. Stainless Bel Air splashguards replaced the rubber originals. Craig
settled on a PPG nonmetallic light blue,
base-clear from a ’71
Chevy pickup.
The stock dash utilizes all OE knobs. Reproduction vintage gauges are fitted to the original bezel. A Bel Air glove
box door adds a touch of class, and a rosewood steering
wheel sits on top of an early ’70s tilt column that includes
the ignition. For ease of rear access, hinged seats from a
’54 2-door were used. Power was added to the seats, windows and door locks. The carpeting, seats, door panels and
headliner were all redone in complementary shades of blue.
As you might expect, the cargo space didn’t escape the
Brinker touch. The original plywood floor has been replaced
by tongue-and-grooved red oak. Matching paneling is used
on the sides along with replated original trim pieces. The
floor has compartments for the battery and fuses, a toolbox
and the spare tire. A 5-foot long, 21-gallon gas tank is concealed under the left side.
Not satisfied with off-the-shelf wheels, Craig had a oneoff set of Boyd 6-lug, 15-inch polished aluminum wheels
designed especially for him. The turbine blades rotate in
the same direction on both sides. Precisely specified wheel
offsets and spacers in the rear bring the tires into a flush
position with the body sides. For the front drive hubs, Craig
machined a set of perfectly matched cylindrical covers from
billet aluminum. Jetzon 31x10.50x15 R1SLT Revenger II
C
raig Brinker grew up around cars and
learned plenty helping his father at his
repair garage. During a 12-year drywall career, he helped his dad on nights and
weekends. After his dad passed away in 1982,
he continued the business on a full-time basis.
In 2003, he added an office and the shop
expanded from two bays to four.
From the beginning, Craig has
relied on Snap-on tools and diagnostic equipment for his full-service
mechanical repairs and state inspection service. “Snap-on tools can’t
be beat,” says Craig. “The quality is
there, and my dealer and the company
tires provide plenty of grip.
Wherever Craig and his wife,
Marcy, go, his most unusual creation
attracts admiring stares, finger pointing and smiles. His many best-ofclass and best-of-show trophies attest
to the excellence of Craig’s work.
Whether at car shows or in the supermarket parking lot, the thing he enjoys
most is talking with
other connoisseurs
about his carefully
crafted and wellaged vintage ’54
4x4 Chevy Sedan
Delivery.
always stand behind the product. The service is outstanding.”
Craig’s affinity for Snap-on goes well
beyond most. He may just have the world’s
largest collection of Snap-on die-casts, beverage glasses, mini toolboxes and a host of
other collectibles and novelty items. From
the welcome mat to the light fixtures, a
special room in the basement of his historic
home and some fine custom cabinetry are
devoted to everything Snap-on. For the
casual observer, it would be quite easy to get
the impression that Craig really values the
Snap-on brand, both professionally
and personally.
Gift Guide
The ultimate shopping tool
Snap-on gift guide makes it easy to give – and receive
T
he holiday shopping season is just beginning, but your
worries are over.
On this page is a list of tools to make any tech smile.
Simply cut out the list, check the boxes adjacent to the gifts you’d
like to order and forward the tally to your Snap-on Dealer. It’s all
over but the wrapping.
Under $25
o Supercuff Tech Black Gloves GLOVE500BL
o Supercuff Tech Red Black
Gloves GLOVE500RL
o 5/8" Sparkplug Socket S9724RHS
o 13/16" Sparkplug Socket S9704RHS
Under $50
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
Long Reach Needle Nose 911BCP
1 Watt Aluminum Flashlight ECFB1
Knife Sharpening System GAT10003
Folding Chubby Knife KER1440
4 pc Mini Screwdriver Set SGDX40A
Night Spot Rechargeable Spotlight CTL3918
LED Flashlight ETB14410
Supercuff HD Black Silver Glove GLOVE502BL
Under $100
o 6 Pc. Soft Grip Screwdriver Set SGDX60
o 3 Pc. Pliers Set (Needle Nose &
2 Cutters) PL300ACP
o Oval Tube Creeper JCW8
o Cordless Vacuum ETB14414
o Dale Jr. 5 Pc. Screwdriver Set SDDX50RDJR
o 5 Position Ratchet Screwdriver SGDMRCE44
If your feet can’t work, you can’t work. It’s as simple as that.
Those feet of yours take their share of punishment. Walking. Standing. Cold floors.
Hot sun. Water. Snow. Whatever it is, you’re standing in it or walking through it.
You need the right tools. You know the right tools for your hands come from that Snap-on truck.
And if you didn’t know, the right tools for your feet come from that same place. Snap-on work
boots are comfortable, durable, and they make your feet look good.
And they’re also comfortable—did we say that?
We’ve got you covered. Right down to the Snap-on in your sole.
Ask your Snap-on Dealer about the complete line of Snap-on shoes.
Dealer orders are accepted through the web at coastalboot.com or toll free at 800-972-7627.
Under $250
o
o
o
o
Motorcycle Road Kit CycleSet
3/8" Cordless Drill Driver ETB14420
Camo Jump Pak PMIALSPP110
Battery Tester YA2612A
Under $500
o
o
o
o
1/2" 18 Volt Cordless Impact CT4850
Service Jack and Stand Set RACEJACKSET
1/2" Chuck 18 Volt Cordless Drill CDR4850
1/2" Dr. Impact Wr. ATC500
Over $500
You also can use the list to inspire
those who shop for you. Or maybe you’d
like to buy yourself a little something.
Just check the boxes and your Snap-on dealer will take it
from there.
Or, if you prefer, visit snapon.com and click on the gift guide.
o
o
o
o
o
o
Tire Pressure Gauge YA243A
Magnetic Tray MRB10
Metric Socket Organizer YA38MET
Inch Socket Organizer YA38FR
Auto-Loading Utility Knife PK150
12' Tape Measure YASG153
o
o
o
o
o
o
Spray Nozzle YA571
Tire Pressure Gauge YA206
Combo Bow/Hack Saw HS25
3-Pc Finger Socket Driver Set
Mini Magnetic Bowl MRB4A
Tire Valve Tool GA143A
o
o
o
o
o
o
Supercuff HD Red Black Glove GLOVE502RL
5 Pattern Water Spray Nozzle NOZZLE360
4 Pc. Seal Removal Tool Set SGSR104
Magnetic Wrench Rack WRM15
Stripper/Crimper/Cutter PWCS9
Supercuff Impact Black Silver Glove
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
Utility Knife Kit PK80
Pro Hold HexWrench Set - Inch AWBPH13
Hubcap Tool HCH1A
Pro Hold HexWrench Set - Metric AWMBPH9
Power Tool Bit Set 32 Pcs PTB32K
Magnetic Wrench Rack WRM10
25' Red Tape Measure YASG155
o
o
o
o
o
Dale Jr. Ratchet Screwdriver RRDJR
7 Pc. Mini Electronic Screwdriver Set
Battery Service Kit 2004BSKA
Long Reach Cutter 312CP
52 Pc. Cordless Drill/Screwdriver
Bit Set YA52PBSQC
GLOVE501BL
o Supercuff Impact Red Black Glove
FSD3KT
GLOVE501RL
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
Mini Ratchet Screwdriver SGRMINI107
2 Watt LED Flashlight ECF960
Smart Meter MT454
3 Pc. 3/8" Dr. Locking Ext Set 203FXLBP
6 Pc. Ratchet/Bit Set TM936SET
7 Pc. Screwdriver Set BSGDX70
5 LED Flashlight ECF950
3 Pc. 1/4" Dr. Locking Ext Set 103TMXLBP
SDE70
o 3/8" Dr. Impact Wr. AT380
o 1/2" Dr. Impact Wr. AT123A
o 51 Pc. Inch/Metric 1/4" Dr. General
Service Set BLPGSS1451
o Cordless LED Trouble Light ECFSP30
o 3 Watt LED Flashlight ECF970
o 3.6V Cordless Screwdriver ETBSL3650
o 3 Pc. Quick Release Ratchet Set (1/4"3/8"-1/2" Dr.) BPR703
o 1/2" Dr. 250 ft. lb. Torque Wr. TQFR250E
o 100 Pc Combination 1/4" & 3/8" Dr.
General Service Set BLPGSSC100
o 10 Pc. Inch Comb Wr. Set OEX710
o 10 Pc. Metric Comb Wr. Set OEXM710B
o Folding Cordless Impact Wr ETB14425
o 3/8" Dr. Cordless Impact Wr. ETB14438
o 4 1/2" Cordless Angle Grinder
o Master Tool Set ECSET1
o Air Compressor BRA5DV30VP
ETB14440
Tech-nology
Cool Stuff
Worx for me
Cool tunes
While you don’t spend hours of your workday shooting hoops,
you’re still on your feet for hours at a time. Redwing Shoe’s
line of WORX shoes blurs the line between work and play,
offering a heavy-duty shoe that’s comfy for standing yet
versatile enough for a pull-up jumper over Yao Ming. The
lightweight shoe is rated for oil/gas, chemical abrasion,
traction and comfort on concrete.
The Koss P15 Portable Earbuds are ultralight and
comfortable. And they look cool. With an extended
frequency response of 40-20,000 Hz with electrodynamic element, the rugged P15 delivers incredible
sound from your iPod or other MP3 player. It includes
wind-up spool carrying case, wrap-around strap for
storage, 4-foot cord and L-plug that fits all players.
redwingshoes.com
$14.99 koss.com
Snazzy snowshoes
Track light
Crescent Moon Snowshoes make some of the most high-tech,
affordable snowshoes south of the Yukon. Their Silver Series
shoes are perfect for winter hunting and tracking, as well as
backpacking or hiking. The single-pull loop binding is one
of the best in the world, holding your feet securely in place
with virtually no adjusting. The ultra-lightweight frame is made
of TIG-welded aluminum, and the tear-dropped shape ensures natural
walking or running across any terrain. Adult models can support up to 215 lbs;
women’s and kid’s sizes are also available.
This flashlight is like something from a crime show, and is a must-have
for serious hunters. When tracking a wounded animal at night or in lowlight situations like dusk or early morning, the GerberGear Carnivore
makes spotting the trail of a wounded animal a breeze. The Carnivore uses
sophisticated LED technology to emit a special blue/red light that causes the
red of fresh blood to appear to jump off the ground, separating it from leaves
and other debris on the trail. Once you’ve picked up the trail you can easily
toggle between the bright-white xenon light and LEDs to locate your trophy
and find your way back to camp.
Prices range from $159-$189 crescentmoonsnowshoes.com
$49.99 gerbergear.com
Little Bigfoot
A bright idea
The Solio Universal Hybrid Charger uses the power of the sun to
quickly recharge the batteries of your iPod, cell phone, or other
handheld device. Measuring only 4.7˝ x 2.5˝ x 1.4˝ (closed), the Solio is
one of most compact chargers in the world. Simply unfold the three
wing-like solar panels, place it in the sun, and connect your unit. Or,
you can plug it into a wall socket to charge your device. The Solio has
an interchangeable tip system for multiple units, and comes with a
suction cup for attaching to a window.
$89.95 solio.com
The Traxxas Radio Control Stampede is a killer set of
wheels. This high-performance 1/10 scale electric
monster truck can hit speeds in excess of 30 mph,
hammer wheelies on demand, and thanks to its
4-inch ground clearance, crawl over obstacles and
crush anything – even your buddies’ puny RC cars.
Electronic speed controls feature
three programmable drive
profiles for sport, race,
or training; the latter
limits power for
younger drivers
or rookies. Fully
adjustable fluid
shocks make this
a competitionlevel race truck
that can grab big
air, corner and run
flat-out with the best
of them.
$310 traxxas.com
Rear View
TELL US ABOUT
FE ord Pak
ven though he’s not totally adverse to bowties, the
whole world pretty much knows that Gary McCormick is
a “Ford guy.” He and his wife, Paula, currently own four
steel-bodied beauties. Neighbors Chuck Gray (body work) and
Everett Gray (mechanicals) have been instrumental in these and
prior restorations.
The ’29 Model A Roadster that Paula’s father gave her when
she turned 16 is a car they will never sell. Somewhat of an
anomaly, a Chevy 350 powers the PPG cherry-red rocket.
A ’32 3-window is Gary’s most recent project. It features a
302 Mustang with GT40 fuel injection and a Ford AOD transmission. A Winters quick-change rear and a Deuce Factory dropped
I-beam front provide the awesome stance.
A gift from Paula for Gary’s 50th birthday proved a tad too
difficult to wrap. Actually, two cars and four truckloads of parts
YOUR RIDE
Share your ride with your fellow Tech readers.
Just mail a brief description and a photo or send
an e-mail with a digital photo to:
Tech Magazine
Snap-on Tools
PO Box 1410
Kenosha, WI 53141-1410
[email protected]
came to life as a PPG torrid-red ’40 Deluxe Convertible.
A slightly bored 460 big block churns a C6 trannie and a beefy
9-inch rear. Airbags at the four corners can easily alter the car’s
ride height and provide varied looks.
A PPG Mack blue ’32 Victoria Sedan with its unique flame
paint completes the Ford Pak. A 302 drives a C4 automatic and
a Jaguar rear end.
Gary’s been serious about hot rodding and about his tools
for more than 20 years. “The Snap-on brand instantly says
‘best’,” Gary opines. “There’s just no better source for quality,
selection, feel, specialty items, dealer service and a no-hassle
warranty.”
The next time you’re at an NSRA or Good Guys event, stop
by and check out one of Gary’s rides. No formal introductions
or bowties required.
Vendetta V-8 Motorcycles designed and built this unique
themed ride for Jasper Engines and Transmissions.
A state-of-the-art JASPER FULLY REMANUFACTURED
350 cubic inch Small Block Chevy Engine provides the
go-power.
Did we mention that JASPER is the exclusive supplier
of automotive V-8 engines to Vendetta? That’s because
JASPER remanufactures engines that MEET OR EXCEED
OEM requirements, and backs every gas engine with a
36 month/75,000 mile nationwide
transferable parts and labor warranty.
Ryan Newman
Kurt Busch
You may not see a 300-horsepower trike very often, so we
decided to show you a few other things that you might just
see every week during the racing season. JASPER supplies transmissions and differentials to well-known racing
teams, and our performance is rated on a demanding
scale of 2 to 64.
We remanufacture engines for unique rides, yes…
and we build great products for everyday driving.
Kurt Busch
Ryan Newman
Jamie McMurray
Steve Wallace

inside - Snap-on

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