ASE Program: Tool Requirements (local Vo-Tech)

[plinker]

You still need standard. A lot of trucks out there with a mix still. Nothing really recent comes to mind but they were definitely still mixing sizes up to around 2010. Plus there are things like hitches, bull bars, and plows (my area anyway) where you'll need them occasionally. At a minimum still need a comprehensive set of combos and impacts up to 1-1/4.

I agree. It's still quite relevant to have inch tools, I was looking at it where those tools could be bought a little later on. But a person could also pick up decent set that's inexpensive. All depends on what you run into & need (or are required to have).

 

[ngk22r]

I agree. It's still quite relevant to have inch tools, I was looking at it where those tools could be bought a little later on. But a person could also pick up decent set that's inexpensive. All depends on what you run into & need (or are required to have).

Just depends on what brand you will be working on

 

[Yarpo]

You still need standard. A lot of trucks out there with a mix still. Nothing really recent comes to mind but they were definitely still mixing sizes up to around 2010. Plus there are things like hitches, bull bars, and plows (my area anyway) where you'll need them occasionally. At a minimum still need a comprehensive set of combos and impacts up to 1-1/4.

As with everything it depends on what you're working on. I've been at my new shop for 5 weeks now and havent used a single standard socket or wrench. Not a sngle one! I brought some semi deep 3/8th standard sockets and dont plan to being anything else.

 

[bczygan]

Thanks, I appreciate that encouragement. I could always take another job in IT. But I've stared at a computer screen for 30 years, not sure I want to do more of that.

I'm 68 and I get all my classes for free because I'm 60 or over and live in the county. A lot of community colleges have free college for 60 and over students from their areas. Even some 4 year colleges. This is true all over the country. But it isn't well advertised. Sometimes no one at the college except the registrar knows about the program.

Check the ones in your area.

Bill

 

[Rarified27]

Those of you saying the tools required for each year of the program aren't enough, please remember these are classes where there's a defined curriculum and students will only be using certain tools as a result.

Sure, they'll likely get into stuff on their own where they'll need other tools, but not for the class.

 

[d.mcfarland]

I also wonder about the quality of tools given the meager $300 outlay over two years. I'm sure the school has an arrangement with a local NAPA or AutoZone.

Agreed. Cost is way off.

 

[joetech]

That's not a bad place to start. You have to remember that 1 out of 25 students that start the program will go onto to be an Auto Tech.

That is an interesting statistic. I'm profoundly deaf, have hearing aids, and went to school to be an auto tech. I took all the classes I could from Woody and then went to the main campus, nicknamed Well I Tried to finish. Got through 1.75 years altogether and dropped out because I couldn't handle auto transmissions and audio diagnostics on my own. That was in 2002. It is now 2018 and I just now got a full time job as an auto technician at a local garage.

I've been on disability since 2002 working part-time jobs looking for a break, even went to college for 1.5 years for mechanical engineering and got an aas degree in technical studies. Mechanical Engineering Technology was alright, but I wanted to draft. Could never find a job drafting within a reasonable distance from home, and when I did find something I couldn't communicate with the boss. Our house is paid for and taxes are extremely low so I didn't want to relocate for a job unless it was honestly affordable. Nothing ever came up that was.

The garage is only a half mile from home and the owner just bought it last fall, we get along great and he has the patience to deal with me. Sometimes he has to repeat something 3x for me to get it, especially if it's a totally new concept, but he doesn't seem to mind. I'm 35 and he's in his early 40's so we are fairly close in age as well.

I'm thrilled to be off disability doing something that I enjoy that will work out long-term.

 

[JulianMorrow]

I'm profoundly deaf, have hearing aids, and went to school to be an auto tech...I just now got a full time job as an auto technician at a local garage...the owner just bought it last fall, we get along great...Sometimes he has to repeat something 3x for me to get it...but he doesn't seem to mind. I'm thrilled to be off disability doing something that I enjoy that will work out long-term.

I'm glad that worked out, Joe. And kudos to the garage owner for taking you on. Is it possible to put up a white board with markers in the garage--that might help with communication. Best of luck to you.