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When you were discussing removing broken fasteners you emphasized “be patient.” This goes for all tech work. Be patient. If there is one main, huge thing that I’ve learned in my tech school it’s this. When I started I was all gung-ho on my jobs, ready to dive right in, and get stuff done, and I’d often forget things. If I did do something like… break off a bolt, I’d get upset and lose the enthusiasm to work. Patience is one of the best things someone can learn before being a technician. Yeah, flat rate is kind of a bugger and you want to get work done more quickly, but personally, I’d rather get the job done right without hassle than screw something up.
That’s also something you demonstrate in all your videos– patience– and I believe it’s a good subliminal message for aspiring techs (but I’m sure we don’t always see the whole job). 😉
When you were discussing removing broken fasteners you emphasized “be patient.” This goes for all tech work. Be patient. If there is one main, huge thing that I’ve learned in my tech school it’s this. When I started I was all gung-ho on my jobs, ready to dive right in, and get stuff done, and I’d often forget things. If I did do something like… break off a bolt, I’d get upset and lose the enthusiasm to work. Patience is one of the best things someone can learn before being a technician. Yeah, flat rate is kind of a bugger and you want to get work done more quickly, but personally, I’d rather get the job done right without hassle than screw something up.
That’s also something you demonstrate in all your videos– patience– and I believe it’s a good subliminal message for aspiring techs (but I’m sure we don’t always see the whole job). 😉
The only tools I’ll buy from Matco/Snap-On are the tools I will use A LOT, and I will not buy sockets from them– ratchets, wrenches, pliers, and good precision tools like torque wrenches and micrometers. The rest of my tools come from the price-saving stores. Because, like you said, and it’s not an opinion, Matco/Snap-On are way overpriced. It’s sickening sometimes.
The only tools I’ll buy from Matco/Snap-On are the tools I will use A LOT, and I will not buy sockets from them– ratchets, wrenches, pliers, and good precision tools like torque wrenches and micrometers. The rest of my tools come from the price-saving stores. Because, like you said, and it’s not an opinion, Matco/Snap-On are way overpriced. It’s sickening sometimes.
I do really like AllData’s layout and vehicle selection. They don’t ask you for every little detail before you can look up stuff. ProDemand is kind of picky. I want to look up torque spec for caliper bracket bolts– they want to know the year, make, model, engine, submodel, drivetrain, VIN, number of doors, body style, license plate number, paint code, CD or cassette, interior fabric, last three owners, cigarette lighter, and if there are napkins in the center console.
I do really like AllData’s layout and vehicle selection. They don’t ask you for every little detail before you can look up stuff. ProDemand is kind of picky. I want to look up torque spec for caliper bracket bolts– they want to know the year, make, model, engine, submodel, drivetrain, VIN, number of doors, body style, license plate number, paint code, CD or cassette, interior fabric, last three owners, cigarette lighter, and if there are napkins in the center console.
[quote=”Raistian77″ post=79722]I use Alldata, a bit cheaper than Michell On demand, but I did have Mitchell when I ran my repair shop in town and loved the wiring diagrams.[/quote]
I used AllData all the time at school. I assume it’s AllData Pro you use? If so, do they have colored wiring diagrams and better pictures? The basic AllData is horrible with those two aspects.
Not to mention some of the torque specs were wrong. I found out the hard way. :pinch:
[quote=”Raistian77″ post=79722]I use Alldata, a bit cheaper than Michell On demand, but I did have Mitchell when I ran my repair shop in town and loved the wiring diagrams.[/quote]
I used AllData all the time at school. I assume it’s AllData Pro you use? If so, do they have colored wiring diagrams and better pictures? The basic AllData is horrible with those two aspects.
Not to mention some of the torque specs were wrong. I found out the hard way. :pinch:
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.
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.
Yeah, you’re probably right. However, we won’t be able to tell 100% until there’s a global movement for people to change every 5-7K, because the industry isn’t going to get results from people stuck in the old ways, myself included, who religiously change oil every 3K.
But on the upside, it can’t hurt. There’s still less potential for wear/damage than waiting around for higher mileage.
Yeah, you’re probably right. However, we won’t be able to tell 100% until there’s a global movement for people to change every 5-7K, because the industry isn’t going to get results from people stuck in the old ways, myself included, who religiously change oil every 3K.
But on the upside, it can’t hurt. There’s still less potential for wear/damage than waiting around for higher mileage.
I use Mitchell ProDemand, mainly because it’s the only one I can access from home. It’s pretty good. I like it because you can calculate out cost for people– parts, labor, shop equipment, etc– if you’re running your own business on the side. I do some work, and I used to get hung up with what to charge people, now I can throw it all together and print it off to show I’m not just throwing numbers up.
It also has great wiring diagrams if you do a lot of electrical work.