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Any advice to a young guy becoming a mechanic?

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by 56oldssuper88, Sep 13, 2011.

  1. 56oldssuper88
    Joined: Mar 3, 2010
    Posts: 213

    56oldssuper88
    Member

    I've made up my mind about going to school for automotive technology and getting my ASE certifications. Im hoping to one day work as a service manager or open up my own shop. Is there any advice you have to someone starting out in the field?
     
  2. gasolinescream
    Joined: Sep 7, 2010
    Posts: 614

    gasolinescream
    Member

    Cars will always need fixing and the more you know, the more you can do on your own car. Save a fortune and have a trade, can't be bad.

    Good luck
     
  3. 56oldssuper88
    Joined: Mar 3, 2010
    Posts: 213

    56oldssuper88
    Member

    Thanks. I've gotten similar advice before, thats why I'm taking every mechanic class available. Then going to take some business courses, possibly even go for a business associates.
     
  4. JOECOOL
    Joined: Jan 13, 2004
    Posts: 2,771

    JOECOOL
    Member

    I have just discussed this with my Grandson. My advice to him was specialize. School and become the best at ,frontend /alignment,heating/ air cond.,Or interiors.Every corner has a general mechanics shop or a body/paint shop. just my opinion.
     

  5. Nemosgarage
    Joined: Sep 21, 2009
    Posts: 144

    Nemosgarage
    Member

    Don't do it you need 50k in tools and will be required to update them in the future, better off learning another trade that pays good and supplies you with tools and other stuff you may need. Try plumbing,electric, solar power,building management and even security systems all these fields will pay really good so you can afford the toys you really need.
     
  6. gasolinescream
    Joined: Sep 7, 2010
    Posts: 614

    gasolinescream
    Member

    Sounds like a real good plan, pushing yourself and learning how to not only be a mechanic but how to run as business has to be a winner. Hahaha you can tell i'm a teacher!!!!
     
  7. 52pig
    Joined: Jun 9, 2007
    Posts: 436

    52pig
    Member

    School is great, but just know you will start at the bottom. That's ok, because you just keep going up. If you're eager to learn and capable you'll learn more in the field than you can imagine.

    Some shop owners are willing to take on beginners as long as you are willing to work hard and show you are worth it. Just don't let them take advantage of you, make them need you more than you need them. Work together and listen.

    Go for it. Oh and watch out for bad tips from half-ass mechanics. A lot of bad habits by many.
     
  8. 1950ChevySuburban
    Joined: Dec 20, 2006
    Posts: 6,187

    1950ChevySuburban
    Member Emeritus
    from Tucson AZ

    Spend wisely up front. You don't need a big Snap-On box when a Husky from Home Depot will suffice.
    Craftsman tools instead of Mac.
    A few hundred bucks will get you a bi-directional scanner, instead of a $3000 one.
    Instead of subscribing to Mitchell or Alldata, use Google or AutoZone.
    Budget 10% of your income into re-investing in yourself. Tools, etc.....
    Have your employer sign you up for as many classes you can get. Dealers, parts stores etc all offer evening classes.
    ASE certs are nice, but don't do anything but help with hiring. They've been dumbed down so that anyone can get them. (parts guys, etc... ) Have your employer reimburse you for the tests you pass.
    Never work in a shop with a bad reputation. No matter what.
     
  9. pay attention to details.
     
  10. 52pig
    Joined: Jun 9, 2007
    Posts: 436

    52pig
    Member

    I do pretty well myself. I would say I started with 500$ worth of tools, now I have a lot more of course. That was fifteen years ago. You buy what you need as time goes by, and respectfully borrow what you don't have.

    Those other trades you talk of are great, but I know a lot of friends who are suffering the economy roller-coaster more than I am.

    Hell, my dad raised four kids and is doing pretty well right now as a wrench. He's in his 60's, I don't think he'll ever put a wrench down. By choice I might ad.
     
  11. Iceberg460
    Joined: Jun 6, 2007
    Posts: 880

    Iceberg460
    Member

    I would make sure its something you really wanna do before you spend all your money on an automotive degree. I went to Wyotech in '05, got my degree and got a job at a Ford dealer in '06. I still started as a lube tech (oil changer), same as anyone who had NO schooling, and at the same pay rate, the degree just made it a little easyer to get in the door. Most dealers will send you to school and actually PAY YOU to go, as long as you work hard and show them that your worth keeping around.

    Something else to keep in mind, no school I know of can get you your ASE's. To be certified you need to have atleast two years working in the field plus pass a written test. ASE rules say that time spent in a trade school is equal to only half of time spent in the field (2 years trade school = 1 year working)

    Try and get a job at a local shop (dealer if you can, for the training if anything), and work your way up. Make sure its something you wanna do. After you've turned wrenches for a living for a couple years you may just change your mind on tech school. Just my $0.02
     
  12. 52pig
    Joined: Jun 9, 2007
    Posts: 436

    52pig
    Member

    Good advice Iceberg.
     
  13. damagedduck
    Joined: Jun 16, 2011
    Posts: 2,341

    damagedduck
    Member
    from Greeley Co

    ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
    what he said! plus maybe some welding classes.we have 6 mechanics & NONE of them can weld to save their ass,just saying !
     
  14. Wesley
    Joined: Aug 12, 2006
    Posts: 1,670

    Wesley
    Member

    Choose you education wisely, you need to understand the theory and physics of how things work so you can diagnose the problem instead of being an experienced parts changer. Most schools dont really teach theory. Having that understanding also comes in handy when you want to modify something to serve a different purpose. Take the attitude that everything is a machine so you are not limited to the automotive field. I have made my living working on farm equipment, printing presses, heavy equipment, cars and light trucks as well as race cars. I could have made better money working at the dealerships, however that is not an environment that I can handle. Given enough time I can fix anything, or I can fix it so nobody can fix it. I get much more satisfaction fixing something that somebody else had trouble with that I could ever get from "fixing" more cars than anybody else in the shop did that day.
    You are on the right track educating yourself on business. You can make a good living fixing stuff, you can make better money supervising everyone else that is fixing stuff, however the best money can be made by owning the shop that everybody fixes stuff.
     
  15. john walker
    Joined: Sep 11, 2008
    Posts: 1,137

    john walker
    Member

    it's a dirty and dangerous job, but that's what makes it fun and challenging. i really hate rubber gloves and i'm sure my skin has absorbed more than its share of chemicals and my lungs could be better, but who knows, some suffer and some keep on truckin'. so far, so good at 63, and i wouldn't have it any other way. i guess my advice is try to protect yourself as best you can from dust and chemicals, learn how not to hurt yourself, develop a mindset to do a good job that nobody else is going to look at and say "look at the crappy work so&so did", be honest and deal with your comebacks. specialize in some niche that interests you. you cannot be good and knowledgable about every car and every issue that comes through the door. and don't be afraid to turn down a job that has the red flags waving in your head.
     
  16. caseyscustoms
    Joined: May 15, 2005
    Posts: 1,031

    caseyscustoms
    BANNED
    from st.joe, MO

    be nice to fucking everybody. ive got work from people that met me at shows that i talked to about golf or something i couldnt even rememeber, then all sudden the their car is in my shop getting work done.

    shit like that happens alot actually.
     
  17. BurnoutNova
    Joined: Mar 30, 2011
    Posts: 135

    BurnoutNova
    Member
    from USA

    My advice would be to either get into the service advising or management side of the auto repair business. You will make more money, and spend less on tools. I finished Tech school in 06, and have been at small shops, dealerships, and currently work on the aftermarket performance/restoration side of the business.

    If you choose to be a Tech, plan on spending ATLEAST 20K on tools in the first year or two in the field. This is the same time that you will be making the least amount of money. It's really tough. If your in the dealership environment, you will have to fight for the jobs you get (commission jobs) have to buy new tools every year, and do low paying warranty work. I don't mean to be pessimistic, but you REALLY have to have patience and and easy going attitude to be a Tech for the long term.

    I moved up to being a service advisor at a Chevrolet/Cadiallac dealership. Much better pay, and much less stress. If you are a good advisor, that is a fast track to being a Service Manager.

    I love cars, been in the business for almost 12 years now and I wouldn't have it any other way, but all my friends from High School who went to Tech school and got in the business because it was their hobby are long gone. I might be gone to if I still worked at a dealership. I guess what I'm saying is it ruined their hobby, and was not the job they thought it was.
     
  18. ottoman
    Joined: May 4, 2008
    Posts: 341

    ottoman
    Member
    from Wisconsin

    I have been doing it since 72 and looking back I wished I would have done something else. Sure I had fun and eventually owned a automotive machine shop but for what I took home ($$) over the years I would have been much better off getting into a trade.
    But if you have to spin wrenches get into trucks... work for a major leasing company. They have great training and way better benefits than any local car dealer or independent shop.
    Trust me later in life the retirement plan and the better insurance means a lot!! Plus they are always looking for sharp guys to move into management.
     
  19. Specialize in electrical and electronics.
     
  20. brad chevy
    Joined: Nov 22, 2009
    Posts: 2,627

    brad chevy
    Member

    The way cars are built today,specialized tools are outrageously priced. If you are dead set on the business you need to specialize in a field. Body and paint---always going to be wrecked cars ----Computer diagnostics---thats here to stay. The just going in as a trade school tech you are not going to make any money .The diesel stuff is all computerized now too. Don't blow your money on a high-priced trade school.The only people making money off that piece of paper you get is the trade school. In the demand today and the schools turning so many students out with that degree and 2-pieces of bread in your hand all you have is a jam sandwich. Find you a mentor that needs help that can teach you how to do the work hands on. Good luck with whatever way you go. Heres a good comparison. Computer diagnostic specialist---clean hands and clothes-good pay Trade school tech graduate--dirty hands,clothes busted knuckles and empty wallet..
     
  21. 19Fordy
    Joined: May 17, 2003
    Posts: 8,025

    19Fordy
    Member

    Otterman got it right. When you're young you're back can take it, but when you get olderthe pain begins and remains.
     
  22. coolbreeze1340
    Joined: Aug 18, 2009
    Posts: 1,340

    coolbreeze1340
    Member
    from Indiana

    Go to a different school! Welding, Fabrication, electronics.... anything but auto repair. I busted knuckles for a few years and the lack of money chased me off. Another thing to keep in mind.... You're on this site so you must like playing with hot rods but after working on customers POSs all day long it is hard to want to play with your own stuff when you get home. Like everyone above has said, the tools are exspensive, customers are cheap, and the only one making a decent living is the guy that owns the dealership, shop, etc.
    Work a trade like Ironworker, Boilermaker, Operating Engineer take the benefits, retirement, insurance and work on cars in your spare time. You can still do it for money but you will be able to turn away the jobs you don't want. Just my 2 cents.
     
  23. I seldom answer these kinds of posts but I feel the need to give advice, as long as it was asked for.
    I'm now retired but spent my entire working life as a mechanic so I feel qualified to speak up.
    One day I came home from work, dead tired and sore as hell from crawling up under dump trucks and changing a 100 LB clutch. My 15 year old kid had one of his school buddy's car jacked up in the driveway, doing a brake job on it. He finished it up in record time and did a great job...came to me later that evening and told me he wanted to become a car mechanic..I'll tell you the same thing I told him.
    Unless you specialize [limiting your employment possibilities] you'll need to be a walking encyclopedia of knowledge to be able to repair all the differerent cars/trucks that come in the shop door. Plus, you'll need many hours of expensive classes to TRY to keep up with fast moving electronic technnology...not to mention the expensive tools and diagnostic equiptment needed to diagnose and repair everything on the car/truck...I know, I did it for over 30 years and the pay is NOT what you'd expect.
    I was successful in my field which included maintaining several fleets of over 250 cars, pickups, dump trucks, water trucks, more dump trucks, asphalt rollers, lawn mowers, [both commercial and lilttle push mowers], weedeaters, cranes, Lulls, bobcats, backhoes and many, many trailers of all sizes...had to keep up with the new technology regarding electronic ignitions, electronic fuel injections, turbocharger applications, both diesel and gasoline....that's a lotta knowledge to keep in your head. Yeah, we finally got a few computer programs to help us diagnose the problems but you still had to be sharp.
    I asked my son to be watchful when he went over to his friend's places for sleep-overs and to ask what his buddy's parents did for a living..and see how they lived and to get back to me in a few months..
    His eyes were opened. His buddy's who's parents were in the electronics fields did the best financially...which was great for him as he loved to play with computers as much as he loved to do mechanic work on cars. I kind of "steered" him over to taking college classes in computer sciences after he graduated high school and told him he could always do mechanic work as a hobby, not a profession.
    He has a little 38 Fiat 1/4 mile racer with a small block chevy, a tubbed, subframed 50 ford coupe, and his baby, a corvette ZO-6 with a procharger on it...turns 180 in the standing mile at the Texas mile...he has a blast doing mechanic work in one of his big home garages in his spare time....he's now in charge of the billing computers at one of the major cell-phone companies. The kid RAKES in the $$$. works out of his own home and has plenty of free time to play with his toys..and doesn't have to rely on bustin his knuckles to make the bills on time.
    Get in on the high tech jobs if you can like my son did...leave the Mechanic jobs to the guys who absolutely HAVE to spin wrenches because it's deep in their blood and know the pay won't be so good..like me. Just sayin.
     
  24. BurnoutNova
    Joined: Mar 30, 2011
    Posts: 135

    BurnoutNova
    Member
    from USA


    Best story yet.

    I think this is where I would be headed if I were still turning wrenches.

    And I just got into the business compared to you. It does take a passion to do this job. Make sure you really love it.
     
  25. Really, REALLY love it.
     
  26. jreeder41
    Joined: Jul 23, 2009
    Posts: 477

    jreeder41
    Member

    Excellent advise Rocky. I've been doing restorations for about 12 years now. Everyday my back, legs, knees and feet are killing me by the end of the day. I still make the same amount as when I started our business. It never ceases to amaze me how many tools and equipment you need to do the job. The bigger my customer base got the more room, tools, techs, etc I needed and the more hours I work. So just because you are super busy doesn't mean you'll make more money. My advice would be to keep it a hobby and enjoy it. Become a state trooper or anything else!
     
  27. styleline
    Joined: Feb 14, 2009
    Posts: 868

    styleline
    Member
    from so-hol

    never give up hahaha
     
  28. TurboShadow
    Joined: Feb 1, 2009
    Posts: 187

    TurboShadow
    Member
    from Prosser wa

    Dont do it. Find something you can do that doesnt involve cars and pays good. You will end up broke, and hating something you love. You know why most mechanics dont take care of their cars or their cars are broke? They are to tired, and to poor to fix them.
     
  29. Have you considered gynecology! Same thing,only different!
     
  30. Engine man
    Joined: Jan 30, 2011
    Posts: 3,480

    Engine man
    Member
    from Wisconsin

    Automotive mechanics don't get paid worth a damn. Usually not even 1/4 of the hourly rate that the shop charges. Most places don't have health insurance or retirement plans. Many shops work on a flat rate basis meaning you only get paid for the time it takes an experienced mechanic to do the job on a brand new vehicle with all the special tools. If anything goes wrong, you work on it for nothing when it comes back. People are cheap and their cars cost them money. Maybe things will change in the future.

    I got out of automotive and into heavy equipment. Companies need the equipment to make money and are willing to pay well to have someone on hand who can repair it. Study electronics and hydraulics in addition to mechanics. Heavy equipment dealers are very short of people who can diagnose problems on these machines. Many manufacturers only allow dealers access to the computers on machines so they are the only ones who can tell what is happening. Sometimes you have to guess on what sensor is sending the wrong reading.
     

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