News
INSULATION IS IMPORTANT
Apr 20th
Grip, crimp, strip insulation and cut wires – all these functions are part of this new fully insulated set of long-nose pliers from Laser Tools (part number 8423). VDE-marked and manufactured to IEC 60900 standards for 1000vAC / 1500vDC live working, these pliers are part of Laser’s extensive range of insulated tools and workshop safety equipment designed for use on hybrid and electric vehicles.
These really are useful and versatile pliers: the long-nose jaws open to 95mm and the VDE insulated handles are equipped with slip guards. They are tough and robust, with strong plier body hardness of 42-48 HRC (Hardness More >
A PIG OF A JOB!
Apr 20th
One for our North American readers … New Pig absorbent mats and other products have been soaking up spills, leaks and other messes in industrial settings for almost 40 years.
Now you can get that industrial-quality power for your home workshop with New Pig Absorbent Mats.
The mats are made from multiple layers of thermally bonded polypropylene that won’t rip, tear, or fray even when saturated with oil, grease, coolant, solvent, or most other liquids.
The mats have a dimple pattern to quickly absorb liquid for faster, easier clean-ups and the highly absorbent fibres won’t leave liquids or residue behind. The mats can More >
CATERHAM CARS GOES XL – NEW HOME FOR CATERHAM CARS
Apr 14th
As part of their ‘fifty years of the Caterham Seven’ celebrations, Caterham Cars has announced that they’ll be moving to a new 54,000 sq/ft factory just down the road from their current home. They hope to be moved in by the end of 2023.
One problem that they have had is building Sevens quickly enough and they claim that the new facility will enable them to build over 750 cars a year.
“It’s fitting that, in our 50th anniversary year, we can invest in new premises to facilitate our ambitions, for the future of the Seven and the brand as a whole,” More >
NEW LIGHTWEIGHT JOINS THE XCS CLUB!
Apr 14th
A brand new stripped-out track-orientated model has recently been announced by XCS Designs. It’s called the Clubsport and we’ll let XCS Designs’ boss Harvey Rice describe the car to you:
“The 427 Clubsport package was conceived after looking at Cobra replicas in motorsport and the research and development team at XCS has taken a ‘clean sheet’ approach and designed a spaceframe chassis that allowed crash forces to be correctly distributed around the driver, offering considerably stronger rollover and side impact protection. The added bonus is that the resulting chassis has exceptional torsional rigidity, which allows our camber compensation set-up to work optimally.
“Many have shied away from taking this kind of car into a More >
NOT JUST RIMBLADES
Apr 14th
As well as being the pioneers of the alloy wheel protector Somerset-based Rimbladesâ has just launched a new range of valeting products all with great packaging and bright colours. The range includes Tyre Shine Remover, Wheel & Tyre Cleaner, Alloy Wheel Cleaner, Glass Cleaner, Multi-Clean, Tar & Glue Remover, Ceramic Detailer and Ceramic Car Shampoo.
Prices are very attractive too and start at just £8.99 for a 500ml bottle.
Meanwhile, the product that made the company famous, Rimbladesâ are available in several styles and colours and available in DIY-fit form.
Visit www.rimblades.com or call the company on 01823 662 800, for more information. ENDS.
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VARIED SILICONE HOSE SOLUTIONS FOR YOUR KITCAR
Apr 14th
A silicone hose company that I have been hearing a lot about lately is Mirfield, West Yorkshire-based Auto Silicone Hoses.
The company has a huge range of hoses available in shapes and sizes, suitable for air, vacuum, oil and fuel, available in no fewer than fifteen colours including classic black. So whether it’s straights, couplings, elbows or even bespoke shapes you are after they can help.
They also do stuff like rubber hoses, metal pipes, air ducting, PVC/layflat hoses, clips, clamps and filters.
They offer fast shipping and their prices are very good, too.
More information from www.autosiliconehoses.com or call them on 01924 496 111 More >
THAT’S A WRAP!
Apr 14th
In addition to being a long-established supplier of performance parts and enhancements, Merlin Motorsport has long been a company used extensively by kitcar enthusiasts.
What I like is that you get a bit more from Merlin in that they have a regular stream of ‘how-to’ articles on a variety of subjects on their website. For example, I’ve just discovered a great
‘HOW TO’ ARTICLE ON PACKING & WRAPPING YOUR EXHAUST This includes – the difference between E-Glass and Basalt and how packing works.
Merlin also sells their own branded BASALT EXHAUST WRAP which comes in four colours – Brown, Natural, Black or White. These are very More >
EASY RIVETING
Apr 14th
Here’s one for our North American readers – Using a manual rivet gun can be a hand-cramping experience, especially if you are popping a load of them into a panel.
The Performance Tool Rivet Gun Drill Adapter Kit from Summit Racing solves that problem by converting your corded or cordless drill into a power rivet gun.
The adapter has an alloy steel nose and gearing to handle aluminium or stainless steel rivets.
The oversized nylon-reinforced ABS adapter body makes the tool easy to use.
The Performance Tool Rivet Gun Drill Adapter Kit comes with 3/32in (2.4mm), 1/8in, (3.2mm), 5/32in (4mm), and 3/16in (4.8mm) rivets.
Find More >
GET THE FLARES ON
Apr 14th
New to the Laser Tools range is this comprehensive brake pipe flaring tool kit (part number 8522), suitable for on-vehicle brake pipe repair and maintenance even when access is restricted. Everything you need is included in one box – the kit is based around a hand-held 3/16in SAE flaring tool that can form both single and double flares in copper and cupro-nickel brake pipes.
This is a compact flaring tool, ideal for getting up into tight areas underneath the vehicle, enabling a neat flare without removing the brake pipe.
Also included is a ratcheting, self-adjusting mini brake pipe cutter to suit 3/16in (4.75mm) pipe and is ideal More >
A REALLY GOOD READ
Apr 6th
When our Natalie raced in the 750 MC’s Kit Car Championship one of the friendliest competitors was Dave Roberts. He’s just written this excellent book
Chiselbury, the independent publisher, is pleased to announce the republication of ‘The Blunt End of the Grid’ by author Dave Roberts. When first issued it was shortlisted for the Royal Automobile Club’s ‘Motoring Book of the Year’ in 2019.
This is a book which tells the story of the world of amateur motor racing. Far from the glamorous world of Formula One, it describes the real challenges, spills and thrills of the sport that grips thousands of More >
