Advice please

[Santos]

I want to learn about mechanics to add to my welding background.how should I go about this school is a good option but. I went to school for welding so don’t want another loan out. So what is some advice and tips for tools and equipment on how to go about this.

Topic

[Bluesnut]

Don’t go to one of those overpriced tech schools such as UTI, etc. You can take automotive courses at a community college or vo-tech school for comparative pocket change.
You could get into an entry level position as a lube tech and possibly work your way up depending upon aptitude and so on.
Be advised that working in the mechanic field can be brutal. There’s politics, backstabbing, BS to no end, and policy changes with every sun-up.

As for tools, that is going to be an expensive and never-ending proposition. You will never quit buying tools. Just when you think you have the bases covered some car or truck will throw you for a loop with yet another specialty tool.

With a welding background have you considered getting into fabrication for a heavy truck company? The Mack truck franchise here has grown by leaps and bounds over the past 20 years and their fabrication guys stay swamped with work.

[Santos]

Thanks I know school would be the number one way but with work we are out of town for the week and i just wouldn’t have the the time so I want to jump right in with YouTube and Google search I should be relatively okay I think so we will see is harbor freight tools ok for now

[Bluesnut]

I’m retired from the mechanic field after a long time. I bought a number of high priced tools off of the Snap-On, MAC, and Cornwell trucks because they were convenient by dropping around the shop every week.

Some of those tools are excellent and some, in spite of the name, are garbage. If I could back my life up quite a few years I would have just marched into Sears (I have a lot of Craftsman tools) and bought one of those large tool collection sets they sell or used to sell that had most of the wrenches, sockets, screwdrivers, and so on it.

I’ve also got some Harbor Freight and other no-name tools that actually have been very good. I just never could bring myself to go into debt on a Snap-On toolbox the size of a ship and full of SO tools with payments equal to a car payment each month just for a tool storage facility.
I bought most of my tools one or two at a time and paid cash for them because I hate owning anybody anything.

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