Becoming a mechanic?

[WaterTorture]

I'd like to start working on cars and maybe one day opening up a shop. I'm mechanically inclined and enjoy getting my hands dirty and stuff. But, I really dont know how to really get as familiar with cars as I am with computers.

So, if any of you mechanics or wanna be mechanics can help me w/ a few questions I'd appreciate it.


1. Tools - What range of sizes of sockets/wrenches should I have? Should I invest in air tools? What types of saftey equipment?

2. Where can I get really cheap cars to work fix up? I'm kinda intimidated by junk yards and stuff because I dont know how they work. So, any info will be great here

3. Books or training courses? whats the best way to approach having some formal learning? ( Or is anything even nice to have?) I do know working towards your ASE certifications are important

4. Anything else you think I should know?


Thanks for reading this, I did a lot of searches on google. But, I keep coming up w/ car repair questions that doesnt answer the questions Im looking for.

 

[Evadman]

how old are you?

 

[Mo0o]

You should probably just get a tool chest if you're really serious about it. When you're fixing things you're bound to need differen't pieces of equipment at one point or another.

 

[CTrain]

One Question ? WHY ?
I don't think I have ever heard of a rich mechanic.

 

[Mo0o]

Some people like it, if it makes him happy, why not.

 

[Bistromath]

Heaven Forbid someone pick an interest that might lead to a career based on anything other than it's income.

 

[Wingznut]

I was an ASE Master Mechanic for 10+ years in my previous career. My best advice... DON'T DO IT!

Don't get me wrong, fixing cars isn't bad at all... And the knowledge of being able to diagnose/repair cars is priceless. But dealing with the pay structure, co-workers, and customers made me absolutely miserable. Not to mention the sleazy sales people (in both car sales and repair sales) and the fact that too many good people get ripped off.

There are just so many better ways to earn a living in this world.



NOTE: I know there are quite a few professional mechanics on this board. If I offend you guys, I sincerely apologize, as I do have the utmost respect for you guys (presuming you aren't ripping everyone off). But I truly wish someone had said the above to me before I got started.

 

[WaterTorture]

I'm 24, I hope I didnt come across as sounding younger than that. I just have absolutely nobody to ask these questions.


I have a small tool chest that I can do brake jobs and tune ups with. I just wasnt sure what types of tools are needed when you go deeper in a engine (ive never had one apart, Ive always been too scared to work on the cars that I've had)

 

[fredtam]

Originally posted by: CTrain
One Question ? WHY ?
I don't think I have ever heard of a rich mechanic.

I know several.

 

[WaterTorture]

Originally posted by: Wingznut
I was an ASE Master Mechanic for 10+ years in my previous career. My best advice... DON'T DO IT!

Don't get me wrong, fixing cars isn't bad at all... And the knowledge of being able to diagnose/repair cars is priceless. But dealing with the pay structure, co-workers, and customers made me absolutely miserable. Not to mention the sleazy sales people (in both car sales and repair sales) and the fact that too many good people get ripped off.

There are just so many better ways to earn a living in this world.



NOTE: I know there are quite a few professional mechanics on this board. If I offend you guys, I sincerely apologize. But I truly wish someone had said the above to me before I got started.

Awesome advice, I really appreciate it. But, I guess I have this idealist attitude where I could eventually open my own shop and be an honest mechanic. I dont want to do it for the money, I just want to do something that means something at the end of the day. Something that I can look back on and think that I accomplished something.

I've worked in mainframe support for the past few years and really hated it.

 

[Wingznut]

Originally posted by: fredtam

Originally posted by: CTrain
One Question ? WHY ?
I don't think I have ever heard of a rich mechanic.

I know several.

I'm not sure what your definition of "rich" is... But it must not be the same as mine.

 

[CTrain]

Originally posted by: Wingznut
I was an ASE Master Mechanic for 10+ years in my previous career. My best advice... DON'T DO IT!

Don't get me wrong, fixing cars isn't bad at all... And the knowledge of being able to diagnose/repair cars is priceless. But dealing with the pay structure, co-workers, and customers made me absolutely miserable. Not to mention the sleazy sales people (in both car sales and repair sales) and the fact that too many good people get ripped off.

There are just so many better ways to earn a living in this world.



NOTE: I know there are quite a few professional mechanics on this board. If I offend you guys, I sincerely apologize, as I do have the utmost respect for you guys (presuming you aren't ripping everyone off). But I truly wish someone had said the above to me before I got started.

Well said !!

 

[fredtam]

1. See #3
2. See #3
3. Take classes at your local tech college. This will allow you to get hands on knowledge and certification. It will also give you an idea of the basic tools (an expensive investment). Good mechanics (fast) make a lot of money even working for others. If your not fast become an expert on cars others don't really work on like british engines and electrical.
4. See #3

 

[Jeff7181]

Originally posted by: fredtam

Originally posted by: CTrain
One Question ? WHY ?
I don't think I have ever heard of a rich mechanic.

I know several.

As do I. A friend of mine practically made a small fortune at a Saturn dealership. I forget what it was he was doing, I know there was some sort of recall, but the shop manuals all said to drop the whole front cradle down out the bottom of the car to do the repair. Apparently this paid something like 6-8 hours per car... and he figured out a way to do it without dropping the whole cradle down, which saved him about 4 hours. And being a recall, there was never a shortage of vehicles... so he was working 40 hours weeks getting paid for about 100-120 hours worth of work because of "flat rate."

Oh... and in response to OP's question #2... me I'm selling my 1977 Cutlass... I'll let it go pretty cheap if you want it (and have cash ). It's in decent mechanical condition... carb needs a rebuild, seals in the master cylinder are leaking a little, and it has some skin cancer =)

 

[fredtam]

Originally posted by: Wingznut

Originally posted by: fredtam

Originally posted by: CTrain
One Question ? WHY ?
I don't think I have ever heard of a rich mechanic.

I know several.

I'm not sure what your definition of "rich" is... But it must not be the same as mine.

Well I grew up (also ASE certified Master myself) around car restoration, racing, and modification and there is plenty of money to be made. I'm not talking about the guy changing mufflers and shocks at Midas. I know plenty of mechanics that make >75K/ year and a guy that works on older imports (read Lotus, Austin, etc.) that consistently makes over 150K (own shop). While not exactly rich it is far better than average. Again there is definately money to be made but it is usually from specializing and you can't just be average. It is like most fields where 10% of the people make 90% of the money.

 

[CTrain]

If you like fixing cars so much, do it as a hobby.
As far as a career, I can't think of a worst profession other than working menial jobs for the rest of your life.
I mean, its hard work, you're filthy at the end of the day, everyone thinks you're scum and there's no money in in. Whats so great about it ??

When my family first came here in 1978, my dad who had alot of knowledge in medicine, decided to study mechanics.
So he was trying to support a family of six and I saw how hard it was.
He was filthy ever time he came home from work.
He was always fixing other people's car for extra money on the side.
Always getting me to help him(which I hated so much).

So he was doing this for about 10 yrs and he had to quit because it was straining his health.
I'm guessing he never made more than $20K in any yr.
By luck, he knew someone who sold life insurance and he got into that.
He was making over $100K every year for over 5+ yrs.

Seeing him go through this, I always wonder why would anyone would want to pick mechanic as a profession.
Its an unappreciated profession (alot worst than being a teacher) and you make no money.

So whats so great about being a mechanic again ??
Seriously, any mechanics out there.....would you recommend mechanics as a profession ??

 

[Doggiedog]

Originally posted by: fredtam

Originally posted by: CTrain
One Question ? WHY ?
I don't think I have ever heard of a rich mechanic.

I know several.

Me too.

My buddy is a mechanic at Lexus and supposedly they pay well. For example, each repair has a certain cost and time allotted. If you can repair it earlier than what was designated, you get to pocket some of the difference because you can start work on another project.

However, I hear other places aren't as generous.

 

[Evadman]

Since it sounds like you haven't really done any real engine work, maybe you should do some to see if it really is your thing. Wingznut pretty much summed it up for me, but there were good things too that he left out, but they are not in the beginning. If you can open your own shop, and do your own thing, that is several orders of magnitude better than working somwhere. Ask Roger.

Before doing anything, I would start garbage picking. Yes, garbage picking. Grab a few lawn mowers or snow blowers or anything with an IC engine, and go to town. Look for Briggs engines and pick up a repair manial (about $10, Home Depot has 'em) that will cover just about every single engine B&S motor out there.

Then buy the tools required for working on small engines, as they are way cheaper (and fewer in number) than the tools for a vehicle. Your talking a ridge reamer, hone, puller, ring compresser and a spring compresser really. Other than that, just basic hand tools.

I would suggest you pick up a good ~$200 hand tool set from Craftsman. Craftsman are not the best tools, but they are great for the price (IMHO) and include a lifetime warranty on use and ABUSE which they will get. Trust me. So your talking about $300 for tools, $200 of which are good for anything around the house. Compare this with my garage that has about $20k+ in tools in it, quite a few specialty ones that you use ony infrequently, electrical testing equipment that is different for each car (thank god for OBDII) and you can quickly see why you want to start small before juming in with both feet.

Once you get your feet wet and fix up a bunch of lawn mowers (which you can then sell to cover the cost in tools) then you can decide if you want to go on as a career.

Originally posted by: Doggiedog
My buddy is a mechanic at Lexus and supposedly they pay well. For example, each repair has a certain cost and time allotted. If you can repair it earlier than what was designated, you get to pocket some of the difference because you can start work on another project.
However, I hear other places aren't as generous.

Most places work on book time. HOWEVER if the book time is 2 hours, and you snap the heads off 4 bolts, and it takes you 5 hours to remove the bolts and 2 more to do the rest of the work, guess what? you just got paid for 2 hours. It works both ways.

 

[Wingznut]

Originally posted by: Doggiedog

Originally posted by: fredtam

Originally posted by: CTrain
One Question ? WHY ?
I don't think I have ever heard of a rich mechanic.

I know several.

Me too.

My buddy is a mechanic at Lexus and supposedly they pay well. For example, each repair has a certain cost and time allotted. If you can repair it earlier than what was designated, you get to pocket some of the difference because you can start work on another project.

However, I hear other places aren't as generous.

I think what you are describing is "flat rate". Basically, you get paid by the job. Gravy if you get jobs easy enough to finish well within the allotted hours. It sucks to be you if you get crappy jobs.

Not to mention the fact that you get paid ZERO if it's a slow day.


Another thing... The benefits are absolutely horrible. Heath insurance, retirement, vacation/sick pay, etc... All of it sucks compared to many, many other careers.

 

[fredtam]

Originally posted by: CTrain
If you like fixing cars so much, do it as a hobby.
As far as a career, I can't think of a worst profession other than working menial jobs for the rest of your life.
I mean, its hard work, you're filthy at the end of the day, everyone thinks you're scum and there's no money in in. Whats so great about it ??

When my family first came here in 1978, my dad who had alot of knowledge in medicine, decided to study mechanics.
So he was trying to support a family of six and I saw how hard it was.
He was filthy ever time he came home from work.
He was always fixing other people's car for extra money on the side.
Always getting me to help him(which I hated so much).

So he was doing this for about 10 yrs and he had to quit because it was straining his health.
I'm guessing he never made more than $20K in any yr.
By luck, he knew someone who sold life insurance and he got into that.
He was making over $100K every year for over 5+ yrs.

Seeing him go through this, I always wonder why would anyone would want to pick mechanic as a profession.
Its an unappreciated profession (alot worst than being a teacher) and you make no money.

So whats so great about being a mechanic again ??
Seriously, any mechanics out there.....would you recommend mechanics as a profession ??

I would definately recommend it. No disrespest meant to your dad but maybe he just found work at the wrong place or really wasn't that good of a mechanic.

 

[Wingznut]

Originally posted by: fredtam

Originally posted by: CTrain
If you like fixing cars so much, do it as a hobby.
As far as a career, I can't think of a worst profession other than working menial jobs for the rest of your life.
I mean, its hard work, you're filthy at the end of the day, everyone thinks you're scum and there's no money in in. Whats so great about it ??

When my family first came here in 1978, my dad who had alot of knowledge in medicine, decided to study mechanics.
So he was trying to support a family of six and I saw how hard it was.
He was filthy ever time he came home from work.
He was always fixing other people's car for extra money on the side.
Always getting me to help him(which I hated so much).

So he was doing this for about 10 yrs and he had to quit because it was straining his health.
I'm guessing he never made more than $20K in any yr.
By luck, he knew someone who sold life insurance and he got into that.
He was making over $100K every year for over 5+ yrs.

Seeing him go through this, I always wonder why would anyone would want to pick mechanic as a profession.
Its an unappreciated profession (alot worst than being a teacher) and you make no money.

So whats so great about being a mechanic again ??
Seriously, any mechanics out there.....would you recommend mechanics as a profession ??

I would definately recommend it. No disrespest meant to your dad but maybe he just found work at the wrong place or really wasn't that good of a mechanic.

You would seriously recommend auto mechanics as a career??? Are you a mechanic?

 

[miniMUNCH]

Originally posted by: CTrain
One Question ? WHY ?
I don't think I have ever heard of a rich mechanic.

I personally know several mechanics who make well over 100k a year and work 30-35 hour weeks and take about 6-8 wks vacation a year whenever they want.

And, being a mechanic is fun...

I'm studying for Ph.D in chemical Engineering right now I'd be happy to be mechanic...might just decide to do it anyhow.

 

[fredtam]

Originally posted by: Wingznut

Originally posted by: fredtam

Originally posted by: CTrain
If you like fixing cars so much, do it as a hobby.
As far as a career, I can't think of a worst profession other than working menial jobs for the rest of your life.
I mean, its hard work, you're filthy at the end of the day, everyone thinks you're scum and there's no money in in. Whats so great about it ??

When my family first came here in 1978, my dad who had alot of knowledge in medicine, decided to study mechanics.
So he was trying to support a family of six and I saw how hard it was.
He was filthy ever time he came home from work.
He was always fixing other people's car for extra money on the side.
Always getting me to help him(which I hated so much).

So he was doing this for about 10 yrs and he had to quit because it was straining his health.
I'm guessing he never made more than $20K in any yr.
By luck, he knew someone who sold life insurance and he got into that.
He was making over $100K every year for over 5+ yrs.

Seeing him go through this, I always wonder why would anyone would want to pick mechanic as a profession.
Its an unappreciated profession (alot worst than being a teacher) and you make no money.

So whats so great about being a mechanic again ??
Seriously, any mechanics out there.....would you recommend mechanics as a profession ??

I would definately recommend it. No disrespest meant to your dad but maybe he just found work at the wrong place or really wasn't that good of a mechanic.

You would seriously recommend auto mechanics as a career??? Are you a mechanic?

Like I said you can't be average. It is not a profession to enter if you are not passionate about it. It is true that most mechanics don't make a lot of money. The average mechanic at my dad's shop makes around $25/h straight which is actually high. I do know quite a few that make far more though. A lot depends on location, speed, and specialty. The same can be said of bodymen. The guy at Macco is making $10/ hour but the good body man that really knows his trade and is passionate about it is raking in the money.

As to your last question. Yes I am a mechanic. I'm also an HVAC tech, Electronics tech, electrician, and a pretty damn good body man among a few other things. I have made decisions in my life that allow me to sit back and collect money now instead of working for it and still live comfortably. So any manual labor I do now is for myself or friends. Well I do take the occasional job that interest me. I spend most of my time restoring cars though but it is more of a hobby I make money at. If the OP is thinking in the direction of becoming self employed in the profession I can find no fault in that.

 

[Zenmervolt]

Originally posted by: Wingznut

Originally posted by: fredtam

Originally posted by: CTrain
One Question ? WHY ?
I don't think I have ever heard of a rich mechanic.

I know several.

I'm not sure what your definition of "rich" is... But it must not be the same as mine.

I wrench a bit on my own car and enjoy it and do a pretty damn good job if I do say so myself. I've talked with more than a couple of local professional mechanics and every one of them has agreed with you.

I've talked with them about being a mechanic for a period of time (not running a shop, just getting a job as one) and my favourite response was this, "If you want to ruin your life, use drugs instead. At least you'd get to have a little fun that way."

ZV

 

[fredtam]

I guess some other good examples would be fast food and convenience stores. Most of the people in those industries make chump change and most "intelligent" people don't think of entering those industries. I know people from both industries that make $75K/year. Why? Well advancement is easy because your surrounded by mediocre dumbasses and the money is good because they are willing to pay to keep the "intelligent few". Using your logic fast food or convenience stores would be a terrible career choice but the fact is somebody with a little bit of sense and drive can excel and become well paid.