Episode 50 is a milestone — and it’s also my longest, most tool-packed episode to date.

In this episode of The All Access Podcast, I break down the must-have PDR tools for 2026, along with new tools to watch heading into Mobile Tech Expo (MTE) 2026. This isn’t theory, hype, or “tool influencer” talk — these are real tools I use every day in the shop, on hail cars, door dings, and large collision repairs.

Some of these tools are brand new.
Some have been around forever.
All of them earn their place in my cart.

This episode is designed to help you:

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  Build a smarter, more efficient tool setup

  
  


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  Stop over-switching tools mid-repair

  
  


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  Understand why certain tools matter — not just what they are

  
  


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  Prepare for what’s coming at MTE 2026

  
  

What We Cover in This Episode

🔧 Must-Have Shop Tools (Old School & New)

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  Wedges, blocks, and leverage tools that never leave my cart

  
  


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  Why simple tools still matter more than flashy ones

  
  


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  How proper leverage saves time, fatigue, and paint

  
  

🔨 Hammers & Paddles I Trust

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  My go-to blending hammer

  
  


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  Finishing paddles vs. power paddles (and when to use each)

  
  


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  Why handle design and material matter more than most techs realize

  
  

🎯 Tips, Precision Tools & Tight-Access Solutions

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  Small-diameter rods and tight-access tools

  
  


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  Phenolic and specialty tips for clean, aggressive pushes

  
  


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  Why buying all the tips actually saves money long-term

  
  

🧲 Knockdowns That Changed How I Work

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  Shock-absorbing knockdowns vs. traditional styles

  
  


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  Tip materials, weight, and control

  
  


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  Why I stopped switching knockdowns mid-repair

  
  

🔥 Glue Guns (Hot & Collision-Grade)

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  My everyday cordless glue gun setup

  
  


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  High-output collision glue guns for large pulls

  
  


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  When multiple guns beat one “do-everything” gun

  
  

❄️ Cold Glue Systems & Slide Hammers

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  Why I was wrong about cold glue (and what changed my mind)

  
  


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  My finishing-stage cold glue setup

  
  


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  Slide hammers I rely on — and why I own more than one

  
  

🔗 Lateral Tension & Large Damage Movement

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  My preferred tension tools for unlocking repairs

  
  


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  Why lateral tension changes everything on collision damage

  
  


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  Tools that move metal without creating new problems

  
  

🌨️ Hail-Specific Tools That Are Non-Negotiable

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  Carbon fiber rods and extensions

  
  


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  Long-reach knockdown setups

  
  


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  Tools that save your body during large hail jobs

  
  

🎓 MTE 2026 Education Day

I also talk about my upcoming Education Day session at Mobile Tech Expo 2026, where I’ll be teaching:

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  Lateral tension strategies

  
  


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  How to unlock repairs and stay unlocked

  
  


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  Tool setups that expand what’s possible in PDR

  
  

Tool Companies Mentioned in This Episode

(Listed for reference — this episode is not sponsored)

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  Anson PDR

  
  


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  Dent Craft Tools

  
  


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  KECO Tabs

  
  


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  VIP PDR Tools

  
  


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  Dent Slayer / A-1 Tool

  
  


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  Finesse PDR Tools

  
  


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  Black Plague PDR

  
  


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  Dent Vision Tools

  
  


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  Glexo

  
  


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  Perfect Pull Dent Repair

  
  


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  JVF Tools

  
  


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  Fast PDR Tools

  
  


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  CamAuto

  
  


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  Carbon Tech PDR

  
  


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  Willy Quick

  
  


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  Dent Gents

  
  


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  Stuckey Tools

  
  

Final Thoughts

Episode 50 isn’t about buying more tools — it’s about buying better, using fewer tools more intentionally, and working smarter instead of harder.

If you’re heading into 2026 feeling overwhelmed by tool options, this episode will help you:

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  Simplify your setup

  
  


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  Speed up your repairs

  
  


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  Protect your body

  
  


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  And get better results with less effort

  
  

🎧 Listen to the full episode
📺 Watch on YouTube
📍 Join me at MTE 2026 – Education Day