Frequently Asked Questions

532 Atlanta Street SE, Marietta, GA 30060, next to the S.A. White Oil Company, on the east side of the railroad tracks. GPS coordinates: 33.939617, -84.543268. See Contact & Directions for map links.

The smaller building on the right, with four large sliding doors, is the club garage. The right bay houses the low lift, parts washer, sandblast cabinet, tire changer, tire balancer, bench and vise. The left bay houses the converter, high lift, strut compressor, hydraulic press and drill press.

The larger building on the left is leased to our sub-tenant and is off-limits to members, except for the shared office area at the street end, which has a desk, club library, refrigerator and restroom.

In the office area at the street end of the large building. The key is on a large ring inside the garage next to the entrance door. Turn the key clockwise to unlock and counter-clockwise to lock. Please leave it clean and make sure the door is locked when you leave.

Turn off the lights and the converter, and lock the office door, both sets of garage doors, the side entry door and the front gate. If our sub-tenant is on-site, leave the front gate as you found it.

Anyone who wants a place, tools and fellow enthusiasts for working on their own vehicle. We look for trustworthy, responsible members, since the club depends on everyone caring for shared tools and equipment. A recommendation from a current member is welcome. Visit during tool crib hours, ideally Saturday morning, for a tour.

Annual dues are $120, due each year on your membership anniversary. You can pay $120 once, or use the $10 monthly PayPal subscription. See Membership Dues & Fees to pay online.

If your dues are running late, talk to an officer at the tool crib.

A numbered key to the front gate and a numbered key fob that opens the garage side door. Pass the fob by the small black antenna box to the right of the door at the start of every visit, even if a large door is already open, since this is how member visits are tracked. Also sign in on the sign-in pad by the door.

Please do not copy keys. Unauthorized copies will be confiscated and the member’s access ended.

Yes. Training and certification by a club officer are required before using the high lift or the tire balancer, since both can be dangerous if set up incorrectly. Each has a one-time charge: $10 for the tire balancer key (includes a lifetime supply of wheel weights) and $20 for the high lift key (helps cover yearly inspections and maintenance). Watch the training videos below before your session.

Yes. We have a high lift, drive-on ramps, jacks and jack stands, oil drain pans and collection tanks. Used oil and antifreeze go in the separate marked drums outside. Please don’t mix oil and coolant, since it causes problems for recycling. Just bring your oil and filter.

Yes. We have a computerized dynamic tire balancer (standard, aluminum and hidden-weight balancing), a vertical tire changer, and a short-rise lift that makes it easy to pull all four wheels. Training is required for the balancer. You must take your old tires with you; tires cannot be left on club property.

Tire disposal is available through the club for a small fee. Ask an officer at the tool crib for the current procedure and fee. You can pay with the “Other Payments” button on the Dues & Fees page and note “tire disposal” in the description.

The garage has single-phase power, and the converter supplies the three-phase power the air compressor and tire balancer need. Make sure the tire balancer is switched off, then turn on the converter at the locked wall switch box in the back corner of the left bay. The air compressor starts after a short delay. Turn the converter off when you’re finished.

Unlock the latch at the center of each pair of doors from the inside, then slide the doors sideways on their top rollers. They roll left or right, not outward. Lock them again if you’re the last one out.

There is a faucet with a short hose at the right front corner of the garage, in front of the concrete pad. Another faucet is on the ground under the steps to the office door, with no hose.

Engine rebuilds or swaps and transmission removal are not allowed without advance approval from the club President, since they tie up space for too long. Engine hoists, engine stands and transmission jacks can be checked out to use at home instead.

You may work alone, but we recommend having a second person with you and keeping your phone handy. Always use jack stands under a vehicle raised by a floor jack. Eye protection, gloves and sturdy shoes are recommended. Family helpers must stay with a member, and minors must be kept out of the work area and supervised at all times.

Tools are checked out at the tool crib on Thursday, 4:30–6:00 PM and Saturday, 10:00–11:00 AM. Most tools are loaned for 7 days; engine stands, engine hoists and transmission jacks for 14 days. Fill out the sign-out log with your name, phone, due date and the officer’s approval. See the Crib Schedule for which officer is on duty.

Shop equipment available at the garage includes a wall-mounted strut compressor, 5-ton hydraulic press, bead-blast cabinet, parts washer and a distributor machine for testing older distributors (points or magnetic pickup, not Hall effect). Dozens of other tools can be checked out, such as A/C service equipment, OBD-II code readers, a timing light with spark advance, tap and die sets, pullers, engine hoists and stands. Most are included with membership.

Some larger equipment has a rental charge to cover wear and consumables. Rentals are paid to the officer at the tool crib, and a copy of your driver’s license is required. The member is responsible for any damage during the rental.

Rental equipment includes the MIG, stick and stud welders, pressure washer, tow dolly, utility trailer, transmission jack and portable compressor. Ask the officer at the tool crib for current rates, rental periods and any deposit. Read the tow dolly and trailer instructions and watch the videos below before checking them out.

Pay at the tool crib, or online with the “Other Payments” button on the Dues & Fees page.

Email the club with the tool, why we need it, its cost and a suggested source. The officers will consider it as the budget allows.

Other members and officers at the garage are usually glad to help. For questions, email the club. Members also keep in touch through the club’s GroupMe group.

These YouTube videos show how to use equipment like ours. Some are for similar, not identical, models.

• Tire balancer
• Tire changer
• High lift
• Low lift
• Strut compressor (also this one)
• Tow dolly
• Utility trailer
• Sandblast cabinet
• Parts washer