Owner:
William Light
Railroad Avenue Auto Repair (RRAAR)
Pine Plains, NY
Box:
He won't tell anyone, but William Light by reputation is considered one of the best technicians in the New York area. This ASE master certified technician not coincidentally has a massive toolbox to house the tools that a true A-tech needs.
"I purchased it in approximately 2007 after out growing my last box, the Matco Limited Edition Hot Rod Box," recounts Light. "I had to choose between a new car and a new toolbox, so I chose a new toolbox and wanted the biggest one I had ever seen. I added the top locker several years later in 2010."
The toolbox draws plenty of comments and his previous bosses, before he went to business for himself, would post images of the box on Facebook in order to convey the shop's professionalism.
Light simply likes that the toolbox has enough "room for most of my tools," which he estimates costs more than $100,000.
"I own many scan tools and pride myself on having the most up-to-date diagnostic equipment. Some of my diagnostic equipment includes the Snap-on Modus, OTC Genesis and Fluke 1587," explains Light. "I'm always happiest with a scope in my hands. I enjoy diagnostic work the most, because it is challenging. In this line of work you tend to do the same things over and over again. It becomes repetitive. Each time the problem has to be diagnosed, that's when I love my job the most."
Having attended training from local parts stores and from Technicians Service Training, Light is convinced that his mind is his most valuable tool.
"Tools are great to have, but no tool can compare to the one we were all born with," he says. "With that said investing in my knowledge through training has been the best tool investment I have made, by far."
The fact that Light has been able to fill up his toolbox is, to him, evidence of how far he has gone in his 20 years as an automotive technician. His experience has taught him that "having the right tool for the job makes the job easier and less time consuming."
After spending years working for shops and being the go-to guy in private repair shops, Light has gone into business for himself. Railroad Avenue Auto Repair in Pine Plains, NY is operated by himself and his girlfriend, Kerri.
"We work on all areas of cars old and new, excluding body work, to 'make your car RRAAR like new,'" says Light.
With enough hard work, training and the right toolbox, Light is able to get that done.
