Tech ‘N Mechs, I Need Your Advice

[Fanny]

Seeing as how many of you guys seem to be experienced, talented mechanics and technicians (do I really need to differentiate?), I’d like your $.02 on a semi-auto-related question.

Should I become a technician/mechanic?

I know that’s an awfully broad question, but here are some facts:

1. I was never particularly interested in cars until I first drove, and now I’m fascinated by all things automotive
2. I’m prepared to pay for an education if I have to.
3. Ive got a 4-wheel drive Chevy SUV and 1993 Chevy Lumina an some junkyard parts that I can hone my skills with.
4. I’m not the type of person to quit on an investment. So if I run into a rough patch, I’ll probably tough it out.

So what do you think?

If yes, here are some questions:
1. Will I need to buy my own tools? If I do, what tools should I look for?
2. Would I be better of going to a community college, tech school, or should I just wing it with no education.
3. How hard is it to earn ASE certifications for someone of average intelligence and moderate skills?
4. Are any particular states more fruitful in terms of payment and employment? Like, would I find better hours in Ohio, but better pay in Oklahoma?
5. Should I search for a job at a dealership or a ma and pa garage?
6. Is being a tech/mech as stressful as some people say it is? I’m always hearing that the reason there’s such a high demand for techs is because working conditions and pay are usually mediocre at best so few people enter the trade and even fewer stay.
7. What advice would some of you seasoned guys have for a newbie?
8. If someone steals my tools, can a hit ’em over the head with crowbar, breaker bar, or wrench? :angry:
9. Is there much stability as a mechanic/technician? What I mean to ask is if I’ll make $2500 on month and $800 the next.
10. Are there any other skill sets that’d compliment me as a mech/tech, like welding.
11. Should I focus on any area in particular? Since cars are relying more on computers and other “necessities”, should I focus on electric more than other areas? Also diesel cars seem to be getting more popular here in The States, so would specializing in diesel be an advantage?
12. Any shop etiquette that I should know?
13. Should I join a union?
—–
Anyone’s input would be appreciated whether they’re a former or current tech/mech.
Thanks if you read all that!
Please forgive any minor grammatical errors or missing letters; I’m dyslexic 🙂

Topic

[Kevin Criswell]

[quote=”FannytheFartcan” post=79843]
If yes, here are some questions:
1. Will I need to buy my own tools? If I do, what tools should I look for?

Yes, most shop require you provide all your own hand tools.

2. Would I be better of going to a community college, tech school, or should I just wing it with no education.

I would personally recommend a tech school/college. Not only can you get a degree (starting to make a difference in our field) but you get good orientation to new technology and often tuition includes your first set of professional tools

3. How hard is it to earn ASE certifications for someone of average intelligence and moderate skills?

You wont need to worry about ASE for a few years, they require you have at least 2 years on the job experience or 1 year on the job plus schooling before you may take the tests for certification.

4. Are any particular states more fruitful in terms of payment and employment? Like, would I find better hours in Ohio, but better pay in Oklahoma?

Not sure to be honest. Look at it this way, locations that have more cars on the road will likely mean more opportunity to find employment

5. Should I search for a job at a dealership or a ma and pa garage?

Well, it is trade off. Dealerships are less personal, you are often removed from the customer completely, you often get locked into a single make and rules and regs come from the top, but dealerships have better specialty tools, better information and better benefits (wage wise). Independents are more personal, you get to know your customers and you work on a wide variety of vehicles, but they often use aftermarket specialty tools (which can hamper you) have less repair information and often less pay and benefits.

6. Is being a tech/mech as stressful as some people say it is? I’m always hearing that the reason there’s such a high demand for techs is because working conditions and pay are usually mediocre at best so few people enter the trade and even fewer stay.

YES YES YES

9. Is there much stability as a mechanic/technician? What I mean to ask is if I’ll make $2500 on month and $800 the next.

Depends on flat rate vs hourly

10. Are there any other skill sets that’d compliment me as a mech/tech, like welding.

I recommend welding and light fabrication, basic machining skills, knowledge of basic chemistry, mechanical theory, HVAC and electronics.

11. Should I focus on any area in particular? Since cars are relying more on computers and other “necessities”, should I focus on electric more than other areas? Also diesel cars seem to be getting more popular here in The States, so would specializing in diesel be an advantage?

Electronics YES and diesel YES

12. Any shop etiquette that I should know?

Eric does a great video on that.

Please forgive any minor grammatical errors or missing letters; I’m dyslexic 🙂

Don’t feel bad, so am I. Typing is something that took me AGES to get down.

[/quote]

[Fanny]

Thanks, Raistian!
As far as tools go, I guess I’ll need box wrenches,steel sockets for an impact (I think Eric himself said not to use chrome sockets on an impact), ratchets, socket extensions, an air compressor, wrenches, a warp drive, spline attachments (Damn you, Germany!), soldering gun, screwdrivers, about tree fiddy, a ball pein hammer, hose cutters, clamps, vice grips, jacks and stands, pliers, etc… Oh, and diagnostic systems! 😆

PS: I’m still open for more perspectives from more people. I’d like to hear as many people’s thoughts as possible.

[William]

Tools can be tricky if money isn’t really your thing. For school, I suggest getting a few brand name things, but I wouldn’t splurge.

1. Go with Matco or Snap-On ratchets and wrenches. They feel soooo much better in your hand than a lower-end Craftsman. Craftsman works just fine, and with a lifetime warranty they are a good deal, but after hours and hours of pulling and pushing on those handles, your hands will hurt. The higher-end brands are more expensive, but are well worth it!

1a. Get a set of Craftsman sockets or something of that quality.

2. Get a good quality torque wrench. DO NOT go out to Menards and buy a Tool Shop piece of crap.

3. An impact gun, go with Ingersoll-Rand. Essentially, Snap-On and Matco buy these and slap their names on it and mark it up. Again, do not get a wimpy impact from Menards or Lowe’s or whatever you have by you. I’ve done it, and it’s a waste of money.

4. Tool boxes? Start small. I had a wonderful, little 21″ box for my time in school. I think it was $500. I suggest working your way up to the big ones. I say this because if school doesn’t turn out the way you want, you haven’t put yourself thousands of dollars in debt because of a tool box.

5. I’d go thrifty on screwdrivers. I personally don’t see them as important as the rest, and most of the time they are easily replaceable.

[Fanny]

Thanks!

[Author]

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