Star Flexer tool

[screenman]

Judging by some of the repairs I see a centering tool would be very useful for some guys. As for a mirror, extremely important in my opinion, the better you can see the damage whilst working on it the better and safer you can fill it.

[DryStar]

Judging by some of the repairs I see a centering tool would be very useful for some guys. As for a mirror, extremely important in my opinion, the better you can see the damage whilst working on it the better and safer you can fill it.

Used a mirror upon start up 16 years ago but haven't since. Not sure if any of the winners in the last 4 WSR Olympics have used one either. Correct me if I'm wrong. I guess it's good for starters but unnecessary for others. JMO

[t4k]

Judging by some of the repairs I see a centering tool would be very useful for some guys. As for a mirror, extremely important in my opinion, the better you can see the damage whilst working on it the better and safer you can fill it.

Used a mirror upon start up 16 years ago but haven't since. Not sure if any of the winners in the last 4 WSR Olympics have used one either. Correct me if I'm wrong. I guess it's good for starters but unnecessary for others. JMO[/quote)

What did you use it for 16 years ago?

[puka pau]

While it's true that a $300 bridge will probably outlast a $50 bridge, $300 will buy six $50 bridges. I'm not so sure that you'll get six times the life from a $300 bridge and even if that's the case if you lose, get ripped off for or break a $300 bridge you're out another $300 to replace it.

Cheers;

Puka Pau

[t4k]

While it's true that a $300 bridge will probably outlast a $50 bridge, $300 will buy six $50 bridges. I'm not so sure that you'll get six times the life from a $300 bridge and even if that's the case if you lose, get ripped off for or break a $300 bridge you're out another $300 to replace it.

Cheers;

Puka Pau

I am in my twentieth year with the same bridges I started with, so I think I am ahead of the game.

[DryStar]

I think we drifted away from original post...so I'll be the first to close.

[puka pau]

I use very few tools and old cheap ones at that. Actually you could call me a WSR tool luddite. I did buy a moisture evaporator because it's a tool that facilitates, simplifies and otherwise streamlines an issue previously inadequately addressed by any of the established tool vendors. I don't see much value in inspection mirrors, centering tools, or expensive bridges, or the star flexor tool for that matter. However, if the use of any of these makes you a better technician and results in better repairs, by all means, use whatever you deem necessary. I find it just a tad hypocritical for someone to negatively criticize a tool that he/she doesn't use yet defend a tool that someone else criticizes that they themselves use.

Cheers;

Puka Pau

[screenman]

Is this forum not about opinions, you give yours I gave mine. Have we found anyone that uses this tool yet. As you say quite well use what you are comfortable with, I like to use nice quality looking tools, I certainly still own the older style one's I started with 23 years ago I keep them as museum pieces.

Nobody ever regrets buying quality!

[t4k]

I use very few tools and old cheap ones at that. Actually you could call me a WSR tool luddite. I did buy a moisture evaporator because it's a tool that facilitates, simplifies and otherwise streamlines an issue previously inadequately addressed by any of the established tool vendors. I don't see much value in inspection mirrors, centering tools, or expensive bridges, or the star flexor tool for that matter. However, if the use of any of these makes you a better technician and results in better repairs, by all means, use whatever you deem necessary. I find it just a tad hypocritical for someone to negatively criticize a tool that he/she doesn't use yet defend a tool that someone else criticizes that they themselves use.

Cheers;

Puka Pau

Who's being hypocritical? Stating one's opinion is not being hypocritical, it is the act of voicing our thoughts as previously requested. We are allowed to give our opinion, are we not?

[Brent Deines]

Many of the tools Delta Kits and other windshield repair tool suppliers manufacture are done at the request of customers. Mirrors and centering tools are prime examples of this. I learned to repair windshields without either of these tools and got along just fine so I've never pushed them, but because of all the requests we had for them we felt it would be a disservice to our customers if we did not offer them. I often find that just because I got along without a tool in the past does not mean that I won't find it useful in the present or future, particularly as my eyesight continues to fail.

My point is that while I have very strong opinions about the use of certain tools, there are some that are personal preference. If there is a demand for a particular tool we will sell it, but we don't try to load up customers with things they don't need. What we include with our windshield repair and headlight restoration systems are the tools we feel are essential to do a quality job and the tools most commonly requested by our customers.

I should add that we don't sell a star flexer tool. In fact I've never had a request for one and never seen one, so I can't comment on that specifically.