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Just thought I’d copy and paste MDK22’s list to here:
Fine tooth Ratchets: 1/4″,3/8″,1/2″ (3/8″ and 1/2″ in Flex if possible Expert, Snap-On, Gearwrench)
Sockets/adapters/Extensions/Universals to Match: 8mm-22mm, 1/4″-1″ (Impact over chrome if you can afford. Rarely will the thinner chrome sockets be needed starting off Grey Pnuematic or “Craftsman USA Made only” for starting out)
Decent Brand Normal Combination Wrenches: 8mm-22mm, 1/4″-1″ (Do not get sets that skip sizes. Gearwrench)
1/2″ Breaker Bar. (Craftsman is normally good and cheap)
1/2″ Impact (A good brand: Ingersol Rand, Air Cat, Snap-On)
Screwdriver Set (with Torx if you can afford. Craftsman)
Oil Filter Wrenches Big and Small Riveted plier style. Harbor Freight (Buy Blue Point FWA62121A if you do a lot of oil changes)
Creeper a cheap one will do to start. (You will need a different one in about 6 months)
A cheap pick set. Harbor Freight or Craftsman if you can afford (Buy a tool truck brand when you can)
A wire brush set. Cheap set is fine. (You’ll need this for batteries)
A cheap valve stem removal tool. I used a slimez brand from pepboys it is cheap.
A cheap dual chuck tire inflator without gauge and a separate tire gauge (Then buy a tool truck one when you can)
A set of decent brand pliers: needle nose, regular, slip joint (Channel Lock, Knipex, Klien)
A good pair of diagonal side cutters (Knipex)
1 pair of Vise Grips 7wr Original with curved jaws
1 chisel of decent quality (Craftsman or better)
A good prybar set. (Craftsman professional driving head or Mayhew driving head available @ Home Depot)
A good brand hammer: Ballpeen or 3lb Black Smith (Suggest hickory handle Vaughan, Estwing, Plumb, Craftsman)
A good engraver or punch set (Put your initials on your tools. It is better/easier to start now)
A place to keep all your tools.Good info here. Has anyone put together a list of tools suggested for lube techs, GS(general service techs) etc? Company I used to work for had a list of stuff for the entry level guys, and they referenced what all I had way back in the day as I covered most of what I needed. While I was helping and watching the other techs, I paid close attention to the tools they used, how often they used them, etc.
Good info here. Has anyone put together a list of tools suggested for lube techs, GS(general service techs) etc? Company I used to work for had a list of stuff for the entry level guys, and they referenced what all I had way back in the day as I covered most of what I needed. While I was helping and watching the other techs, I paid close attention to the tools they used, how often they used them, etc.
[quote=”Fopeano” post=122366][quote=”streetglideok” post=122304]Our one GS, with his three degrees in whatever he has, has been there 6-7 months and still changes oil. Why do you ask? Today is a classic example as to why. We had a car come in for flat repairs, given to him. All four tires had multiple screws in them, appearing that a whole box of screws busted open in front of the lucky driver. I would guess 10-15 screws per tire to give you an idea. I walked by, saw this and told the GS multiple times that these tires are not repairable, too many punctures, with shoulder punctures to boot. He argued instead, and after 15 min he finally let the writers up front know. Four tires sold, be there later in the morning. He decides he wants to pull out all the screws in the tires. Why do you ask? Because he wants to know how many screws were in the tires, and as he put it, he has nothing else to do. An hourly paid guy, and he has nothing better to do, and he is whining they wont give him engine work. As Pitt put it, attitude is everything. Our GS still doesn’t get it sadly. Keep yourself busy, make yourself useful. Taking initiative, and being self motivated will show your bosses you’re worth keeping around and worth investing in. Standing around instead of cleaning, or helping the techs is a fast way to the check out line.[/quote]
You have a really good attitude, I like you, I hope you remain around here. Everything I’ve seen you post adds something new and useful to the discussion.[/quote]
Thank you very much!
[quote=”Fopeano” post=122366][quote=”streetglideok” post=122304]Our one GS, with his three degrees in whatever he has, has been there 6-7 months and still changes oil. Why do you ask? Today is a classic example as to why. We had a car come in for flat repairs, given to him. All four tires had multiple screws in them, appearing that a whole box of screws busted open in front of the lucky driver. I would guess 10-15 screws per tire to give you an idea. I walked by, saw this and told the GS multiple times that these tires are not repairable, too many punctures, with shoulder punctures to boot. He argued instead, and after 15 min he finally let the writers up front know. Four tires sold, be there later in the morning. He decides he wants to pull out all the screws in the tires. Why do you ask? Because he wants to know how many screws were in the tires, and as he put it, he has nothing else to do. An hourly paid guy, and he has nothing better to do, and he is whining they wont give him engine work. As Pitt put it, attitude is everything. Our GS still doesn’t get it sadly. Keep yourself busy, make yourself useful. Taking initiative, and being self motivated will show your bosses you’re worth keeping around and worth investing in. Standing around instead of cleaning, or helping the techs is a fast way to the check out line.[/quote]
You have a really good attitude, I like you, I hope you remain around here. Everything I’ve seen you post adds something new and useful to the discussion.[/quote]
Thank you very much!
Our one GS, with his three degrees in whatever he has, has been there 6-7 months and still changes oil. Why do you ask? Today is a classic example as to why. We had a car come in for flat repairs, given to him. All four tires had multiple screws in them, appearing that a whole box of screws busted open in front of the lucky driver. I would guess 10-15 screws per tire to give you an idea. I walked by, saw this and told the GS multiple times that these tires are not repairable, too many punctures, with shoulder punctures to boot. He argued instead, and after 15 min he finally let the writers up front know. Four tires sold, be there later in the morning. He decides he wants to pull out all the screws in the tires. Why do you ask? Because he wants to know how many screws were in the tires, and as he put it, he has nothing else to do. An hourly paid guy, and he has nothing better to do, and he is whining they wont give him engine work. As Pitt put it, attitude is everything. Our GS still doesn’t get it sadly. Keep yourself busy, make yourself useful. Taking initiative, and being self motivated will show your bosses you’re worth keeping around and worth investing in. Standing around instead of cleaning, or helping the techs is a fast way to the check out line.
Our one GS, with his three degrees in whatever he has, has been there 6-7 months and still changes oil. Why do you ask? Today is a classic example as to why. We had a car come in for flat repairs, given to him. All four tires had multiple screws in them, appearing that a whole box of screws busted open in front of the lucky driver. I would guess 10-15 screws per tire to give you an idea. I walked by, saw this and told the GS multiple times that these tires are not repairable, too many punctures, with shoulder punctures to boot. He argued instead, and after 15 min he finally let the writers up front know. Four tires sold, be there later in the morning. He decides he wants to pull out all the screws in the tires. Why do you ask? Because he wants to know how many screws were in the tires, and as he put it, he has nothing else to do. An hourly paid guy, and he has nothing better to do, and he is whining they wont give him engine work. As Pitt put it, attitude is everything. Our GS still doesn’t get it sadly. Keep yourself busy, make yourself useful. Taking initiative, and being self motivated will show your bosses you’re worth keeping around and worth investing in. Standing around instead of cleaning, or helping the techs is a fast way to the check out line.
Guess I should clarify things, I was on lunch earlier,lol. There are certain areas in the country that seem more lucrative than others. While in Oklahoma, I found pay to be lack luster at best. Granted this was from working at a chain store where the wage was high but only 15-25hrs a week at best. Houston area seems to pay well, a former coworker is looking for an A tech right now at his shop in a suburb there. Out here in Colorado, we don’t have the blasted rust, except on vehicles from out east. Lots of travelers, as well as commuters along the front range. Lot of shops out here, but not a huge amount of top quality facilities or techs to match. Plenty of demand however for guys or gals that want to work, pass a drug screening, and can turn out good work. I know of a couple of shops needing help as we speak(they have asked me, but I’m happy where I am). Costs plenty to move, but you have a spectacular view, and cost of living is likely less to boot. Just food for thought.
Guess I should clarify things, I was on lunch earlier,lol. There are certain areas in the country that seem more lucrative than others. While in Oklahoma, I found pay to be lack luster at best. Granted this was from working at a chain store where the wage was high but only 15-25hrs a week at best. Houston area seems to pay well, a former coworker is looking for an A tech right now at his shop in a suburb there. Out here in Colorado, we don’t have the blasted rust, except on vehicles from out east. Lots of travelers, as well as commuters along the front range. Lot of shops out here, but not a huge amount of top quality facilities or techs to match. Plenty of demand however for guys or gals that want to work, pass a drug screening, and can turn out good work. I know of a couple of shops needing help as we speak(they have asked me, but I’m happy where I am). Costs plenty to move, but you have a spectacular view, and cost of living is likely less to boot. Just food for thought.
Chicagoland area? Have you stopped at various shops and left your resume? Sometimes shops won’t advertise for help, but are looking. I have walked into 2 jobs that way. Granted you may need to visit 10 shops to find one. What about relocating to more lucrative markets without the god forsaken rust? Plenty of.jobs out here.
Chicagoland area? Have you stopped at various shops and left your resume? Sometimes shops won’t advertise for help, but are looking. I have walked into 2 jobs that way. Granted you may need to visit 10 shops to find one. What about relocating to more lucrative markets without the god forsaken rust? Plenty of.jobs out here.
Ick, it really sucks when management/ownership does not tend to their responsibilities. Most shops with any age will have something that breaks or wears out, that’s a given in the business. It’s not acceptable to have the ownership/managers not reinvesting into the business. If things break, fix it. If things need updating, get it done. When I worked for midas, it became a chronic issue to get the scan tools updated. One franchise insisted on using OTC. Been there, done that, good for old OBD I vehicles, but not worth the hassle of modern cars and trucks. Last midas franchise I worked for, had SO Modis scan tools in the shops. They were all 2-3 years out of date and missing keys needed for various models. I grew tired of waiting and bought my own Solus. Then they finally updated them, lol. What’s sad, is the guys they hired, used it as a code reader for the most part. It grew old fixing their comebacks, so I moved on. Just a few months ago, I took a position as a shop foreman at a small independent in town. He was trying to turn his business around and get rid of his problems. Had a drunk for a master tech that was tipping beers back in the shop at 11am. Typical car returns 3x before it may get fixed. The staff consisted of an owner with no automotive knowledge, his daughter in law to handle marketing, and 4 entry level techs. Shop was a filthy mess of oil and floor dry on the floor. 4-6 engines laying around, and that many trannys as well. Half the lifts were not operational, the other half were questionable at best. 2 leaked fluid badly, one had a switch wired wrong, so you had to disconnect the 220v connector when you wanted the lift to stop. Bathroom was disgusting. Hadn’t been cleaned in months, soap about an inch thing on the sink and walls. Worked there for 3 weeks, making these guys learn to clean, and spending most of my time babysitting them and fixing all the comebacks. After the owner hired a wizbanger parts guy from autozone to service write, and he was claiming to customers he was a master mechanic, I was done. Saw him diagnosing from the counter, and selling stuff not needed. For the first time, I found another job and walked out as soon as I received my first paycheck. If the shop is ran that bad, its not worth the misery of staying and encouraging it. There are better shops out there, just have to find one that is interested in keeping the doors open.
Ick, it really sucks when management/ownership does not tend to their responsibilities. Most shops with any age will have something that breaks or wears out, that’s a given in the business. It’s not acceptable to have the ownership/managers not reinvesting into the business. If things break, fix it. If things need updating, get it done. When I worked for midas, it became a chronic issue to get the scan tools updated. One franchise insisted on using OTC. Been there, done that, good for old OBD I vehicles, but not worth the hassle of modern cars and trucks. Last midas franchise I worked for, had SO Modis scan tools in the shops. They were all 2-3 years out of date and missing keys needed for various models. I grew tired of waiting and bought my own Solus. Then they finally updated them, lol. What’s sad, is the guys they hired, used it as a code reader for the most part. It grew old fixing their comebacks, so I moved on. Just a few months ago, I took a position as a shop foreman at a small independent in town. He was trying to turn his business around and get rid of his problems. Had a drunk for a master tech that was tipping beers back in the shop at 11am. Typical car returns 3x before it may get fixed. The staff consisted of an owner with no automotive knowledge, his daughter in law to handle marketing, and 4 entry level techs. Shop was a filthy mess of oil and floor dry on the floor. 4-6 engines laying around, and that many trannys as well. Half the lifts were not operational, the other half were questionable at best. 2 leaked fluid badly, one had a switch wired wrong, so you had to disconnect the 220v connector when you wanted the lift to stop. Bathroom was disgusting. Hadn’t been cleaned in months, soap about an inch thing on the sink and walls. Worked there for 3 weeks, making these guys learn to clean, and spending most of my time babysitting them and fixing all the comebacks. After the owner hired a wizbanger parts guy from autozone to service write, and he was claiming to customers he was a master mechanic, I was done. Saw him diagnosing from the counter, and selling stuff not needed. For the first time, I found another job and walked out as soon as I received my first paycheck. If the shop is ran that bad, its not worth the misery of staying and encouraging it. There are better shops out there, just have to find one that is interested in keeping the doors open.