Workshop Organizers - How we targeted speed AND reliability

Ok, we admit... the title is more exciting than the content, but this is the type of tech tip that makes all the difference, and we take this seriously. No kidding. 

Accurate, repeatable, high performing results. 

Our background in aerospace engineering taught us a lot, but something that your run of the mill engine building shop won't have is aerospace level cleanliness. 

Sounds ridiculous huh, but let's talk. 

 

Why Clean, Organised Engine Workspaces Create Better Results

If you had the chance to walk into an aerospace engineering workshop and you’ll notice something right away: it’s clean, organised, and methodical. Almost scientific.

Every tool has a place. Every part has a label. Every surface is spotless, and it's not just for show—it’s because cleanliness and organisation directly improve efficiency, repeatability, and quality. Things that aerospace demands. 

At HRB, we took our experience from aerospace and applied it to performance engines, so we take workspace organisation seriously. We follow tight processes to keep our engine room—and our heads—clear. We even designed our own tools to help other professionals and enthusiasts do the same, and when we say "designed", we mean 3D model and CNC cut billet tools, not your run of the mill engine shop hack togethers. You might say that we went overboard, we don't agree 🤣

Clean Room = Clear Thinking

Believe it or not, an important part of squeezing every last ounce of reliable power out of an engine, is a clear mind. Another trick we learned from the high pressures of aerospace. Cluttered minds make mistakes. But it's easy to fix

TIDY. 

When we work, we work with only what we need, nothing else. We know it takes these specific tools to do a job, so thats whats on the bench. Our parts are laid out and labelled, isolated on the bench in their own area. Everything is noted and recorded

Our engine room is cleaned down daily, and when we say cleaned, we mean CLEANED 😅. Tools used during the day are cleaned throughly, wiped down, and returned to their designated home. This simple discipline means we start every morning ready to work—not wasting time searching for sockets or degreasing yesterday’s mess.

Laying out your parts is equally as important, and here's our low tech secret- We use brushed stainless steel workbenches in our clean room for good reason. They’re easy to wipe down, they don’t absorb fluids, and we can write directly on them with marker pens to label laid-out components—ideal when dealing with complex valve train assemblies or timing systems.

Valve Train Organisation Makes All the Difference

This may have been one of our first over engineered solutions. We wanted a REAL organizer, the plastics ones just weren't doing it for us. 

Here's the problem:

When you’re rebuilding multiple engines or refreshing heads side-by-side, it’s critical to track what goes where, and parts either fall out of or don't fit into the classic plastic organisers and they don't stack when full 🤷. That’s where our HRB Valve Train Organiser Trays shine. These trays are engineered to solve those problems, being laser-cut aluminium and anodised for durability and corrosion resistance, they can't be beat. 

Each tray holds valves, retainers, springs, shims, and buckets in a logical layout that mirrors cylinder head configuration. There’s even an integrated compartment for collets and spring bases. They’re perfect for writing on with a marker, so you can note cylinder numbers etc — Better still, they stack flat when not in use, and can also be stacked while fully loaded with parts—ideal for shops working on multiple engines or managing jobs across several days.

Not to be impressed with simply a universal tray, we designed engine-specific versions of our trays, including a Nissan SR Valve Train Organiser and a Mitsubishi 4G variant. These are shaped specifically for those valve train components and save even more time during rebuilds. What a dream. 

Tool Storage Should Work for You

Let's get real, we can't do what we do without tools, and theres only so many that you can hang on a nail. 

Tool clutter leads to wasted time and mistakes. That’s why HRB engine tool kits come with a wall-mounted storage bracket, it's quick to access and easy to see whats missing. When your crank lock kit or valve compressor tool is stored visibly and accessibly, you’re not only working faster—you’re keeping your workshop safer and more efficient.

 

Efficiency Isn’t Just About Speed—It’s About Results

Our final thoughts- Keeping your workspace clean and your parts and tools organised isn’t just about looking professional—it’s about achieving better builds. You’re less likely to mix up parts, less likely to forget a torque step, and less likely to waste hours re-checking work. Get organized. Keep it clean. 

We’ve designed our range of engine building tools to support that mindset. From in-car valve spring tools to full engine-specific kits and storage solutions, everything we make is intended to help builders stay organised and get the job done right.

If you’re managing a performance workshop or building an engine at home, creating a clean, logical workflow is one of the easiest ways to improve your results. The tools—and the habits—make the difference.

Trust us.

Go get it.