LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Va –
The strong scent of oil and metal shavings permeated the air. The sound of pneumatic drills and hydraulic lifts rang from the garage bay doors. One man labored amid the chaos, creating his mechanical masterpiece.
U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Michael Daniel, a car enthusiast, worked on his 1976 Datsun 620 pickup truck at the Langley Air Force Base, Va. auto hobby shop July 12, tirelessly devoting his time and effort into his truck.
"Working on cars relieves a lot of stress," said Daniel. "It teaches patience, which helps me deal with problems at work."
Daniel started building cars after his son requested one before he joined the Army in 2004 and has since then built his own engines and performed body work. Although he has no formal education in the automotive field, he installed a custom-built engine and electrical system for his Datsun.
Daniel didn't always use Langley's shop, but once he did, he fell in love.
"When I started on my daughter's car, I would come from Fort Dicks, [N.J.] to do all the services," said Daniel. "I like this one; I like all the guys working here, so I keep coming back."
After performing numerous jobs here, Daniel said other bases just don't have the same quality of service and equipment offered at Langley's auto hobby shop.
"You have a lot of certified mechanics here," said Daniel. "If you need help or just another hand, they are there for you."
The mechanics are proficient in everything from a brake job to an engine change, said Ronnie Miller, 633rd Force Support Squadron auto hobby shop manager. Shop personnel can also perform state inspections, and the shop offers fluids, filters, bulbs, fuses and other parts for sale.
Aside from the services, equipment is provided for self-help users.
The auto hobby shop features four bays dedicated to long-term work, and six flat bays for shorter jobs. Five hydraulic lifts are available for easy access to change tires, brake pads, oil and more.
Tools and jacks are provided, and each bay comes equipped with a pneumatics system.
"The amenities keep me coming back," said Daniel. "Most shops don't provide tools."
The shop also contains disposal bins for oil, windshield-wiper fluid, brake fluid and more, free of charge. However, the shop charges two dollars per tire for their disposal.
Special jobs can be performed at the shop as well. The shop is equipped with a rotor bench, a press for bearings, a strut machine, two tire balancers and three tire machines for removing tires from rims.
A computer program is available that provides manuals and instructions on how to do repair work on various vehicles. The electronic job guide lists step by step instructions so amateur mechanics can (with help) do nearly any job on their cars, said Miller.
In addition to repair and maintenance, the auto hobby shop offers resale services for cars, boats, motorcycles and RVs. For a fee, interested sellers can put their vehicles on the "lemon lot" in two week increments.
Furthermore, shop personnel host seminars and classes to help participants with basic maintenance, and to educate on services provided by the personnel and the equipment offered. On August 8 and September 12, a "Lady's Night Out" event is scheduled from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. The class is designed to show participants basic maintenance for automobiles, such as how to change a tire and check fluids.
For more information about the auto hobby shop or upcoming events, call 757-764-4607.