You Won’t See These Technicians on the Job without Their Faves
In anticipation of the upcoming Auto Glass Technician competitions at Auto Glass Week™, AGRR magazine reached out to a few competitors, past and present, to discover what tool they can’t live without. Chances are if you watch them compete at the event you will see the tool, and the tech, in action.
James Chapman
Richardson Glass Service, Inc.
Auto Glass Technician
Competing in 2021
Q: How long have you been in the AGRR business?
A: I started in 2003 in auto glass and have been going strong ever since.
Q: What is your favorite tool to use?
A: It is a toss-up between WRD sting ray blades or the power caulking gun.
Q: Why can’t you live without it?
A: The blades are a go-to because of clean cut and minimal damage, if any, to paint or pinchweld. The caulking gun–when I first started I had to use a manual gun. Manual caulking guns are for men. That was such a blessing when the power gun came along—no more Popeye forearms!
Christopher Edwards
Optic-Kleer
Director of training
Competing in 2021
Q: How long have you been in the AGRR business?
A: I have been in the industry for a little more than three years now.
Q: What is your favorite tool to use?
A: The Opti-Aim Calibration Tool.
Q: Why can’t you live without it?
A: I can’t live without this tool because this is the future of windshield replacements.
Jason Martin
Wisefly Auto Glass
Owner/Technician
2018 Gold Medalist in AGTO competition
Q: How long have you been in the AGRR business?
A: I have been in the business for more than 25 years.
Q: What is your favorite tool to use?
A: Hands down, the Raptor.
Q: Why can’t you live without it?
A: It’s very user-friendly, and its versatility is unmatched.
Omar Landin
Klear Fix Repair Mobile Auto Glass
Auto glass technician
Competing in 2021
Q: How long have you been in the AGRR business?
A: I became aware of the auto glass industry about 12 years ago. But to give an accurate number—it would be nine years doing chip repair, and eight years doing auto glass installations. The field came to me through an event marketing company that promoted chip repair service–this was my introduction to the field of auto glass. As time went by, I parted ways with them, then decided to become a chip repair tech and repair local business to restore glass. Over the course of a year, I proceeded to market my services to the private sector. My services went from chip repair to replacement and installations. Through the freedom and exposure to automotive vehicles, I built a love for the craft as well the industry. Nowadays, it has pushed me to pursue newer ways to improve the industry and my technical skills to others as I was taught by other glass brothers in the industry. I am looking forward to see what is next.
Q: What is your favorite tool to use?
A: The tool would have to be a specialty tool. The tool has many names, one of them is an O-ring removal tool. This tool is by far my favorite and very hard to find when lost or broken. It can be used for many small crevices avoiding any damage to the body or clips attached to hidden moulding panels. This tool has saved me a lot of stress. It allows me to remove small clips or to unlatch parts from tight angles with the right pressure.
Jorge Sandoval
KD Auto Glass
Owner
Competing in 2021
Q: How long have you been in the AGRR business?
A: My first year was back in 1999.
Q: What is your favorite tool to use?
A: The Transformer/PowerPump combo.
Q: Why can’t you live without it?
A: I love the fact that it hardly slides while cutting a windshield.
To view the laid-in version of this article in our digital edition, CLICK HERE.
