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Choosing the right brake lathe impacts efficiency, accuracy, and turnaround time in any repair shop. Two main options dominate the service bay: on-car brake lathes and bench (off-car) brake lathes. Each type offers distinct advantages depending on the job, vehicle, and technician preference. 

On-car lathes eliminate rotor runout caused during installation, cutting true to the hub without extra setup. Bench lathes give you control at the workbench, handling rotors and drums off the vehicle for broader service capability. Some shops lean into speed and precision at the wheel, others prefer the flexibility of a standalone machine. 

However, the right decision depends on shop size, technician skill, service volume, and the types of vehicles rolling in. Knowing how each lathe fits into real-world operations makes it easier to invest in tools that pay off in results.

The Purpose and Function of a Brake Lathe and Why it’s Still Essential

A brake lathe restores the surface of brake rotors or drums, removing imperfections like warping, scoring, and uneven wear that develop through normal use. Even high-quality brake components can’t perform properly if the rotor surface isn’t true and smooth. 

A lathe cuts away a minimal amount of material, creating a clean, even surface that allows new pads or shoes to make full contact, essential for consistent braking power, noise reduction, and extended part life. Despite the availability of replacement rotors, resurfacing remains a cost-effective solution for many customers and a profit-generating service for shops. It also helps reduce parts waste and supports higher-quality repairs when new rotors are unavailable or poorly machined. For shops focused on delivering safety, performance, and reliability, having a brake lathe on hand keeps service levels high and customer satisfaction even higher.

What Is an On-Car Brake Lathe?

An on-car brake lathe is a precision tool that resurfaces rotors while they remain mounted on the vehicle. This method compensates for any misalignment between the hub and rotor, correcting lateral runout caused during installation or due to worn hub components. Because it machines directly on the vehicle, the finished cut is perfectly aligned to the braking system’s true axis. This results in smoother stops, less pedal pulsation, and reduced likelihood of comebacks.

How On-Car Brake Lathes Work

The lathe mounts onto the hub and spins the rotor using the vehicle’s drivetrain or an integrated motor. Cutting bits remove just enough surface material to restore rotor flatness. Many models feature digital control and automatic feed for consistent, precise results.

Ideal Use Cases for On-Car Lathes

• Shops dealing frequently with pedal pulsation or comeback issues
• Late-model vehicles with thin or composite rotors
• High-volume environments focused on fast, efficient service
• Scenarios where hub-to-rotor misalignment is a known issue
• Technicians looking to avoid unnecessary rotor removal and reinstallation

What Is a Bench Brake Lathe (Off-Car)?

A bench brake lathe, often referred to as an off-car lathe, is a standalone unit used to resurface brake rotors and drums after they’ve been removed from the vehicle. Known for versatility and durability, bench lathes have been a mainstay in automotive repair for decades. Technicians mount the rotor or drum onto the lathe’s arbor, allowing for controlled, precise cuts. This off-vehicle approach offers flexibility for working on a wide range of rotor sizes and configurations, making it ideal for general-purpose repair environments.

How Bench Brake Lathes Work

The rotor or drum is secured to the arbor, centered, and spun at a set speed while cutting bits shave down the surface to eliminate grooves, warping, and corrosion. Many models include adapters for various vehicle types and optional drum cutting capabilities.

Ideal Use Cases for Bench Lathes

• General repair shops working on a variety of makes and models
• Situations requiring both rotor and drum resurfacing
• Technicians who prefer to inspect and measure components off the vehicle
• Jobs involving heavily rusted or damaged rotors
• Low-volume or specialty repairs that allow more time for teardown and inspection

On-Car vs. Bench Brake Lathes: Side-by-Side Comparison

Feature	On-Car Brake Lathe	Bench Brake Lathe
Rotor Position	Stays on vehicle	Removed from vehicle
Accuracy	Cuts true to the hub	Requires careful mounting/alignment
Setup Time	Faster (no removal needed)	Longer due to rotor/drum resurfacing
Use Case Focus	Precision, speed, comeback, prevention	Flexibility, rotor/drum resurfacing
Learning Curve	Moderate	Lower
Ideal Shop Type	High-volume, late-model service	General repair, mixed fleet work
Drum Service	Not typically supported	Fully supported
Space Required	Smaller footprint	Requires a dedicated workbench area

How to Choose the Best Brake Lathe for Your Auto Shop 

Choosing the right brake lathe starts with understanding your shop’s day-to-day demands. On-car lathes are a strong fit for high-volume shops focused on speed and precision. These machines reduce setup time by cutting rotors while still mounted, and they correct hub-related runout in the process. Shops dealing with frequent pedal pulsation complaints often lean toward this option to boost customer satisfaction and efficiency.

Bench brake lathes, on the other hand, offer unmatched versatility. Because they handle both rotors and drums, they’re a smart choice for general repair shops servicing a wide range of vehicles. They also allow for deeper inspection and more control over the cutting process, especially useful when working on older or heavily worn components. For technicians who prefer to measure and clean parts off the car, the bench lathe remains a dependable workhorse.

Many shops find that a combination of both tools delivers the best results. Using an on-car lathe for everyday brake jobs keeps bay turnover high, while a bench lathe stands ready for complex repairs, specialty work, and drum service. Investing in both expands service capabilities, reduces outsourcing, and supports a wider range of technician preferences, making your operation more flexible and profitable.

SVI International Has the Brake Lathe and Parts You Need

The right brake lathe can make everyday jobs more efficient and improve service consistency across the board. SVI International offers both on-car and bench brake lathes, along with a wide selection of replacement parts to support long-term use. From cutting bits and adapters to arbors and silencing bands, our inventory covers the needs of most makes and models in the field today.

Some shops are looking to add new capabilities, while others are focused on keeping existing machines in top condition. In either case, having the right equipment and support makes a difference. SVI has spent decades working directly with repair professionals to make sure they have what they need to stay productive.

Ready to upgrade your brake service operation? Contact SVI today or browse our full brake lathe product line and parts. 

Brainstorming how to install another car lift in the shop can be stressful when floor space is in short supply. That’s why some decide to install an outside car lift.

Even when the shop has room for an additional auto lift, you may notice that limited ceiling height is not compatible with the lift type you want. Perhaps you feel that installing a car lift outside the shop is your last remaining option and are questioning can you put a car lift outside. Deciding to install a car lift outside comes with many considerations. Although you can install a lift anywhere outside your auto shop, it might not be the wisest option. From outdoor hazards to the additional installation measures and maintenance needed, we discuss everything you should know about installing a car lift outside before you make the final call. 

Outdoor Car Lift: What Are Outdoor Hazards?

A typical car lift appears seemingly indestructible with its heavy-duty composition and thick metal framing. However, if installed outdoors, the natural elements inevitably deteriorate and compromise the structure of an outdoor lift through several different avenues.

Temperature

Installing a car lift automatically subjects the machinery into unmanageable temperatures. Car lifts were manufactured with indoor use in mind, intended for installation in a temperature-controlled environment. A car lift should only operate in temperatures ranging from 41-104 degrees Fahrenheit with 30-95 percent humidity. When temperatures descend below this range, the hydraulic fluid will no longer pump properly, preventing the lift arms from being raised or lowered. Such malfunctions could cost your auto shop a great amount of time and money to repair. In any scenario where temperatures could rise above 104 degrees Fahrenheit, you run the risk of drying out the hydraulic lines within your open-air car lift.

Sunlight

Keeping your car lift outside allows full exposure to sunlight, which will bring extensive damages over time. Consider also the factor that sunlight will heat the metal frame of your lift. A surface too hot to touch could impact how often you use the outdoor car lift. Additionally, extended exposure to harmful UV rays breaks down the plastic parts of your car lift like the reservoir tank and dries out hydraulic lines. Therefore, installing and keeping a car lift outside with exposure to sunlight will ultimately result in regular repairs and component replacements.

Water Damage

Though your lift is largely comprised of metal and plastic components, moisture will damage any electrical wiring or rubber parts within the lift unit. Even if you ensured that all wiring and rubber parts are protected from water damage, your metal components will quickly rust with regular contact with moisture. Keep in mind that if your chains and cables begin accumulating rust, your car lift will become a safety hazard. Though you can lift a rusty car, you should never service a car with a rusty lift.

Salty Air

If your auto shop is located near any coastline or area with frequent snowfall, salty air or roads may be the most harmful outdoor hazard to your car lift. Just as moisture causes rust, salt quickly corrodes in contact with metal. As a result, installing a car lift outside will require extra maintenance and attention when the snowplows begin salting the roads.

Installing an Open-Air Lift Outside Your Shop: What’s Different 

Before installing an open-air lift outside your shop, be sure to adhere to all installation protocols. Though similar to a standard lift installation, an outdoor car lift has two key changes: electrical and concrete compliance.

Electrical Compliance

When installing an outdoor car lift, you must ensure that all electrical work meets the local codes. For example, you may need to check that the electrical wiring complies with Ground Fault Interrupter (GFI) circuit breakers and watertight conduit and fittings.

Concrete Compliance

Did you know of the 3000psi requirement for a car lift’s installation? If your outdoor lot is asphalt, know that you cannot not meet the compliance requirement. With heat, asphalt will soften and release lift anchors. The only way to continue installation on an asphalt lot is if you remove a section and pour a concrete pad where the lift will go.

How Can I Maintain an Outdoor Car Lift?

Though similar to the preservation and upkeep of standard lifts, maintaining an open-air lift requires more time and attention due to the outdoor hazards. While many super structures may be coated to resist rust, they will need to be inspected more often to ensure their integrity. Again, if your auto shop resides near a coastline or in a climate subject to snow, your greatest concerns will be temperature, moisture, and salt. Therefore, perform routine inspections of your outdoor lift to prevent your lift from rusting or corroding. If your shop is in a hot and dry environment, consider installing a hanger or other method of shade to protect your hydraulic lines from drying out.

Specialty Custom Applications Solved with SVI International

If you still intend to install a car lift outside the shop after consideration, we are here to help. SVI International, Inc is the industry leader in automotive lifts and lift repair parts, providing over 40,000 parts for a plethora of lifts. SVI is dedicated to find innovative solutions to your industry challenges. If a required part has been previously discontinued by its original maker, our team of fully degreed mechanical engineers design an alternative solution that others won’t be bothered to help with.

Maintaining the integrity of existing lifts is a crucial component to proper usage, and we strongly discourage the use and operation of a damaged lift. Our three “Ready-Ship” warehouses ensure that our solutions are delivered quickly, without affecting a business’ bottom line. If you are in need of repair parts or complete new lifts, explore our extensive inventory. To inquire about our products or request a quote, contact our team today at (800) 321-8173 or via our online contact form.

Regardless of the services you provide, your auto shop is only as effective and reliable as your team of technicians. Finding quality auto technicians with the necessary background and knowledge can feel difficult at times. However, maintaining top talent as part of your team may be additionally challenging.

Are you looking for new strategies to prevent valuable employees from leaving? In the content below, we discuss the top five tips to retain quality auto technicians.

Retain Quality Auto Technicians with These 5 Tips

#1. Make Your Shop a Desirable Company to Work For

Although income drives applicants to certain jobs, that’s not the only considerable factor. Regardless of the industry, every employee wants to be valued and respected in a company.

Some automotive service shops do not offer a desirable level of treatment to their employees. As a result, a shop’s employee retention rate plummets. Instead, make your shop a place where technicians want to work. Give praise, reward their hard work, and create a welcoming culture.

Below are two ways in which you can make your shop more desirable to current staff and future applicants.

Encourage a Welcoming and Efficient Work Environment

We understand that auto shops aren’t always the most aesthetically pleasing facilities. However, you can certainly keep a clean and welcoming shop for your employees and customers.

Not everyone can leave the shop while waiting for their car’s servicing to be completed. Therefore, keep the reception area clean and comfortable. Have multiple seating options, create a snack and coffee area, and maintain a temperature-controlled environment. As a result, your clients will remain satisfied while waiting, and your auto mechanics can grab refreshments between servicing projects.

Regarding the service bay, make the environment welcoming for productivity. Provide as much lighting and organizational storage possible to allow your employees a safe and efficient workspace. Ensure your shop has proper exhaust removal products in place. Additionally, install air conditioning elements so your auto technicians are not inundated by seasonal weather and temperatures.

If your shop currently lacks these essential workspace components, you may see unsatisfied technicians.

Provide Training and Continued Learning Opportunities

Your dealership should embrace training programs and employee education to attract quality employees and applicants. Entry level auto technicians value career training and continued education while on the job. As a result, technicians are more inclined to work for companies that offer both.

Therefore, offer initial job training to help them launch their career and create a budget dedicated to continued education. Not only will supporting continued learning make auto technicians feel valued, but it will also help your dealership offer improved service. Additionally, you can better retain technicians who received certification through your company.

#2. Provide Fair Pay

Auto shops may provide hard-working auto technicians with unfair salaries. As a result, shop owners may notice lower efficiency or a decrease in workplace morale.

Quality auto technicians earned their worth with experience, efficiency, and dedication to the job. Therefore, compensate your employees fairly, according to their value.

Has a mechanic completed their certification through your continued education program? Does your automotive technician prioritize efficiency and productivity over completing a job quickly? If you noticed reliable performance and dedication to furthering their career path, reward your mechanic with pay raises and bonuses. Furthermore, assess your current shop’s budget and see how you can show value to your auto technicians.

#3. Adjust Compensation Rates

Before inspecting under a vehicle’s hood, a job may appear like a simple fix. However, sometimes technicians encounter additional auto repair issues. As a result, a simple, two-hour service could take half a day. Unfortunately, the mechanic only receives two hours’ payment.

Auto technicians often face an unequal ratio of time spent in the shop and compensation received. For example, when mechanics stay all day without any clients or vehicles to service, they do not receive compensation.

Retaining quality auto technicians may be as simple as adjusting how you reimburse their time. Therefore, consider offering your technicians a fair pay rate system where their compensation accrues from time spent at the shop. 

#4. Network Effectively

Waiting for auto technicians to approach your shop is not the most effective way to find true automotive talent. To find quality technicians, put considerable effort into how you network and advertise open positions.

As a shop owner or manager, actively seek new hires by attending job fairs in addition to posting online ads. Distribute fliers at high schools and automotive technician schools, offering free incentives such as paid training or a sign-on bonus.

Support a Simple Hiring Process

Attract potential applicants and keep them excited about the possibility of working for your dealership. Since most job-related research is conducted online, your dealership should support simple online applications directly on your website’s career page.

Once an applicant becomes a candidate, quickly move them through each step of the hiring process. Distribute skills assessments, schedule and conduct interviews, and complete background and reference checks in a timely fashion. If you delay a candidate’s hiring, you risk losing them to a competitor.

When you decide on a candidate, continue with digital onboarding and other HR-related tasks. Both simpler and faster, implement a paperless onboarding process for your auto technicians. For example, digitally send the company’s HR handbook and required tax documents. Help today’s auto technicians confidently navigate digital onboarding to better prepare for a productive first day on the job.

#5. Provide Efficient and Updated Equipment

Most auto shops require their automotive technicians to provide their own hand tools. To offset their investment, proactively seek how you can update your current repair and servicing equipment. Ensure that your shop has reliable auto lifts, tire changer parts, and anything pertinent to your services. Additionally, supply necessary resources such as disposable latex gloves and effective shop towels. As a result, you will keep your mechanics happy and productive, feeling valued.

Retain Quality Auto Technicians with Quality Auto Equipment and Repair Parts

Valuable employees know that repairing an auto with poor-quality parts and equipment is unfair to the customer. That’s why at SVI International, we manufacture reliable and effective auto equipment repair parts, lifting equipment, and complete new lifts. Our team of experts are dedicated to our clients. Therefore, we provide on-time delivery on in-stock parts, from any of our three, “ready ship” warehouses nationwide.

Our team is ready to assist you in your search for the proper repair parts! If you are ready to partner with SVI International, please do not hesitate to contact us at 800-321-8173.

Scissor lifts commonly apply to a variety of tasks from performing building repairs to reaching materials stored in corporate warehouses.

Though it may be easy to assume a scissor lift’s general capabilities, you might be wondering what contributes to the successful operation of a scissor lift. In the content below, we explore how scissor lifts work effectively and which industries greatly benefit from their applications.

What Are Scissor Lifts?

The name behind the scissor lift derives from the crisscross X-pattern formed from its collapsible, supporting beams. Together, the hinged beams under the work platform make the assembly look like several sets of connected scissor blades as they move up and down.

A scissor lift includes five crucial parts: the platform, base, scissor legs, hydraulic/pneumatic cylinder, and motor or alternative power source.

1. The Platform

The platform is the uppermost part of the lift, where a person or an object is positioned, to reach a desired elevation. Platforms intended to transport people include rails, whereas platforms without rails typically only transport materials. A platform comes in a variety of shapes, sizes, and weight capacities, allowing you to select a model according to your lifting needs.

2. The Base

The bottom, or base, of the scissor lift consists of strong rigid brackets. Serving as the most essential component of the unit, the engineered purpose of the base is to guide the rollers at the bottom of the scissor legs. Additionally, the base supplies the necessary stability to hold everything in place and ensure safe operation.  

The base of a scissor lift depends on its intended use as some models have mobile trucks or carts for transport. However, some scissor lifts perform while stationary. Complex scissor lifts capable of elevating their platform to greater heights need strong bases to ensure they remain in place as the upper components move. Some may require fastening to a heavy, reliable platform; others are screwed to the ground.

3. Scissor Legs 

The vertical scissor legs bridge the gap between the base and platform and are what allow the lift to raise to a designated elevation. The X-shaped composition of the scissor legs allow the lift to return to a compact size when not in use.

4. Hydraulic Cylinders

Without the use of hydraulic cylinders, the operation of scissor legs is impossible. Responsible for raising and lowering the scissor lift, hydraulic cylinders actuate via high pressure. Typically, a scissor lift will have between one and four cylinders attached to it. The cylinder’s contents depend on the type of scissor lift. For example, a hydraulic scissor lift has a cylinder filled with hydraulic fluid, while a pneumatic cylinder pump is filled with compressed air.

5. The Power Supply

The motor, or power supply, is a paramount component, operating both the hydraulic cylinders and the overall movement of scissor lifts. The power supply typically derives from diesel, gas, or electrical motors. Alternatively, scissor lifts may operate pneumatically with the use of a high industrial compressor. 

How Does a Scissor Lift Work?

Given that scissor lifts only operate in a vertical fashion, the up and down movements typically originate from hydraulic, pneumatic, or mechanical systems. The power supply provides the necessary power to activate the hydraulic or pneumatic pump, which in turn pushes out or pulls in a mechanical component in the hydraulic/pneumatic cylinder. As a result, the push and pull movements cause the scissor legs to move and propel the platform up or down.

How Do Operators Safely Use Scissor Lifts?

Operating a machine while suspended in the air automatically creates safety risks. To ensure the safe operation of scissor lifts, here are four precautionary steps to take.

Complete Scheduled Maintenance

A scissor lift operates to its fullest potential when regular repairs and maintenance are performed. To prevent any damages or excessive wear-and-tear to the scissor lift, stay on track with regular maintenance inspections.

Conduct Training for Crew Members

Before using a scissor lift, confirm that each crew member who operates the equipment is familiar with its use. As a precautionary act, hold a training meeting with your staff and demonstrate safety protocols and procedures of the scissor lift.

Clear the Surrounding Area

It’s imperative to create a wide and unobstructed path for the scissor lift to maneuver through. Removing any potential safety hazards such as electrical cords and sharp objects from the scissor lift’s path helps prevent any risk of damage to both the lift and nearby employees.

Perform a Pre-Operation Safety Check

Before stepping foot on the scissor lift, inspect the entire lift. Confirm that everything works properly, including the brakes and emergency stop button.

What Are Some Scissor Lift Applications?

Manufacturing engineers are always redesigning the scissor lift for various uses. Below, we provide two common avenues in which your shop or business can implement a scissor lift.

Automotive Industry – Above Ground Scissor Lifts

Scissor lifts serve as reliable and efficient auto lifts. For the automotive industry, stationary, above ground scissor lifts offer a great value by resembling the functions of two-post auto lifts.

Warehousing Applications

Scissor lifts serve as reliable equipment for many warehouse needs. For smaller projects, scissor lifts prove efficient in the following applications:

• Lifting and transporting large quantities of heavy products such as boxes, pallets, and sheet metal with ease
• Raising a forklift to perform maintenance on the underside
• Weighing platforms to weigh heavy machinery and equipment
• Extending a work area when renovating or remodeling a deck
• Providing a safer alternative for reaching higher areas of a building as opposed to a ladder

Secure, Reliable Lift Replacement Parts with SVI International

At SVI International, we are the industry’s leading supplier of repair parts for all types of automotive lifts. Besides traditional, every-day parts, SVI is known in the industry as the problem solver – tackling specialty lift concerns with innovative products. Our supply of high-quality products can play a significant role in protecting your auto lift investment.

We’re just a phone call away. If you have questions, concerns, or need help placing an order, please reach out at (800) 321-8173 or via our online contact form.