Auto Tech beginner advice!!!!

[Devin C]

The name is Devin, very first thing I posted. Just sayin what's up to all the other gear-heads. Goin to school in a couple months for auto tech, Ive done brakes and rebuilt the engine and suspension in my 98 corolla and I LOVE bein a grease monkey lol. Need some good and helpful tips and things to know for the future and to build a decent enough, well-rounded tool set. Got a very nice roll cart at HF http://www.harborfreight.com/hand-tools/tool-cabinets-and-carts/five-drawer-service-cart-95272.html ....***** to put together but perfect for a beginner and need to fill the drawers before school. Any suggestions? Looking for top brands per tool (drivers, ratchets, sockets, wrenches, pliers, etc.....). Money aint no thing! Thanks in advance......

 

[jrherald420]

Welcome, i just finished my automotive degree 2 months ago. Use the Snap-On Student discount if yo have the cash. Almost any tool maker offers a student discount.

 

[Devin C]

Thanks, and about that. Which ones get a discount for individual and which ones for packages? and should I wait til close to the end to get a box? Wanting to get the classic 78 roller plus top box since I saw that listed on the snap on student site....just trying to get a good idea on which brands specialize in what....I would rather be on top of my game and well prepared rather than figure out as I go, which I know I will regardless with learning stuff

 

[mopar01]

I would get tools before I bought a big box. As you mentioned "packages" I know mac and snap on offer them but I think snap ons are a little better put together for beginner techs. Matco also offers a student discount. Honestly before I went and dropped ten grand or whatever your planning on spending I would get in the field and make sure you like it. Walked onto the mac truck the other day and this guys gettingb outa the field cuz it wasn't what he thought it was guna be. He'd just bought a big mac box and several other tools. Also seen a lot more like him on CL. Btw make sure ur metric stuff is built up, once you gbet into a shop take alook at what the other guys are using. My 2 cents neways

 

[regguy1]

Simple advice for auto tech (or anyone else) always remember the "order of work"

1. Eyes: see what needs to be done

2. Brain: think about best way to accomplish task and possible mistakes that could be made

3. Hands: start working on the job

I've seen too many guys who worked Eyes to Hands and broke or screwed things up and only then went to step 2 (brain)

Eyes / Brain / Hands: your brain is your most important tool!

 

[Devin C]

Thanks for the advice regguy1, learned that a few too many times myself lol. and I definitely am going to start and stay in this field for sure. Been doing mechanical stuff for the past 4-5 years between cars, light-weight trucks and lawn mowers and down here in SC during the summers it is BRUTAL as some know. It's nothing for me to go outside and work on my car for several hours in 100-110 degree weather, I just simply love it! And believe me, I'm not made of money, just wanting to take advantage of the discounts the best that I can, without buying something I wont need but here and there, but also not buying something that I will (not obviously) need and use every day.


PS thanks to all the quick responses! been browsing around for a couple months and have learned quite a bit. Perfect site for me

 

[jrherald420]

Thanks, and about that. Which ones get a discount for individual and which ones for packages? and should I wait til close to the end to get a box? Wanting to get the classic 78 roller plus top box since I saw that listed on the snap on student site....just trying to get a good idea on which brands specialize in what....I would rather be on top of my game and well prepared rather than figure out as I go, which I know I will regardless with learning stuff

I printed out the list for the packages and i saved close to 600.00 on the master kit just buying it in sets, like standard/ metric socket and wrench sets for example beacuse theres stuff you dont need from Snap-On in the big kits. You can get a better deal on a box if you look at craigslist, i bought the 3 drawer cart from Snap-On with the discount and it was 450.00, at the time there was no deals for a cart so i jumped on it, a month later the same cart came up on craigslist for 300.00 from a student that had dropped out of the program.

 

[Devin C]

awww thats gay! Yeah ive been checkin that and ebay out here lately too. I mean I havent even started yet...just excited and ready to get started on my never ending tool list

 

[jrherald420]

When i bought my tools i made a list of what i would be using the most and thats what i bought from each semester.

First time i bought 3/8 and 1/2" sockets, the 1/4, 3/8, 1/2 ratchet set, and standard and metric wrench sets.

Second time i got standard/ metric short wrenches, pry bar set, screwdriver set, breaker bars in 3/8 and 1/2 , extensions in 3/8 and 1/2 inch, for 1/4 inch i bought a blue point set and took what i needed and sold the rest.

Third time i got my Torque wrenches, scraper set, impact sockets, electric impact and a few more things.

Since then ive spent about 1500.00 more on all the extras like compression testers, brake tools, a/c tools, multi-meter, and other testing equipment. For now ive got about 5500.00 in my tools with the student discounts through Snap-On and Matco but retail its over 14,000.00. Use them while you can.

 

[chrommagman]

I am a auto student too! I just got a job at firestone
Here are some tips:
The box doesn't fix the cars it's what's in the box!
Learn how to do aliments!
Buy a good impact! get a IR or maco. the sockets you can cheap out on
keep a clean driving record and don't smoke pot!
lift with your knees!!!
buy a good set of boots!
know how to use scan tools and how to reset oil change lights!!!
have good penmanship!
Don't be cocky!
Drink lots of gatorade!
Get good with your co techs

 

[jrherald420]

Not trying to jack up your thread but heres most of what ive got the first two times i bought tools and half of the third time i bought. I need to get pictures of everything ive got for insurance, theres about another 1200.00 worth of tools not shown.

 

[klarmie]

make sure you understand electrical. All other stuff comes rather easily. If your good with your electrical you will be better than most other guys in your shop. study study study. Know it backwards and forwards. Oh and find another line of work, warranty doesnt pay and all the makers are going with longer warranties and included maintence nowadays. Plus there are not too many jobs where the worker has to supply their own "equipment" to do a job. Imagine an office making the secretary supply their own computer, copy machine, stapler..ect, ect.....

 

[Devin C]

Dang that seems like so many tools! and 10-4 on the electrical klarmie.....During orientation my instructor showed a one piece of paper electrical diagram for a '70s VW. 2000 VW was front and back about 70 pages! and hats 12 years ago. And insurance???? Through who and under what type?

 

[jrherald420]

Renters/home owners insurance.

 

[Devin C]

Gotcha, thanks for all the tips and photos, helps out tremendously!

 

[twincam00]

Take full advantage of the Snap-on and Matco student discounts without going in debt.

Get an internship at a dealership, its amazing how much you'll learn

Good luck!

 

[oldtinsmith]

A GJ welcome from Michigan.

Doug

 

[mzbk2l]

I worked in a heavy truck/bus shop for 7 years, mostly removing and rebuilding automatic transmissions. The shop provided all big tools (1" impact wrenches, all sockets over 1.5", blind hole puller sets, sledge hammers, transmissions jacks, etc.). The mechanics were responsible for everything smaller.

I went into Sears after my first week of work and dropped about $1,500 and picked up almost everything I needed; I probably didn't spend another $200 on tools in the rest of the 7 years I was there. I worked with guys whose toolboxes cost more than my car, but we could all knock out the same jobs.

Personal preference: when you're elbow-deep in transmission fluid, Snap-On's funky screwdriver handles, skinny wrenches, and ratchets that refuse to release the sockets just aren't worth a damn.

I agree with the posters above who suggest making sure you know what you want and what works for you before you drop the $$$.


PS - I already had my toolboxes; the bottom box was a HoMed unit I picked up at a scrap metal yard (made by Homak tools - it was a hospital "crash cart" with nice roller-bearing drawers, big rubber-lined casters, and rubber bumpers on the lower corners for pushing through doors). The top box was an old Snap-On that my dad found loaded with tools at a yard sale for $150. When I say I spent $1,500, that was for tools only.

 

[theoldwizard1]

Simple advice for auto tech (or anyone else) always remember the "order of work"

1. Eyes: see what needs to be done

2. Brain: think about best way to accomplish task and possible mistakes that could be made

3. Hands: start working on the job

I've seen too many guys who worked Eyes to Hands and broke or screwed things up and only then went to step 2 (brain)

Eyes / Brain / Hands: your brain is your most important tool!

Great check list.

I will add, one, especially if you in training (either formal or OTJ).

0. Mouth: Ask questions of your supervisor/instructor BEFORE you start the job. Even if you are pretty confident you know the the process to properly diagnose and correct the problem, it is always good to discuss it with someone else. They may better solutions or may just steer you around hard spots.

Over time, this step will fade away. Don't rush it.


EDIT: I guess this is #-1 ! Engage Brain before opening Mouth !!

 

[Doozer]

Here is something I started doing when I was younger and just starting out turning wrenches. Keep a notebook/notes on the jobs you do. Vehicle Type and color, maybe even a license plate number. The work you did on the car, how long it took you. Problems you had, things that went well. Problems you noticed wrong with the car. There is nothing worse then the feeling you get as a young mechanic, when you see a car come back that you just worked on. You start wondering what is wrong, what did you miss, what did you screw up.

This also helps you keep track of the hours you worked.

 

[skyking]

jrherald420.... Nice , Well organized box.What special use are the vise-grip withthe welded rod .

 

[theoldwizard1]

Take full advantage of the Snap-on and Matco student discounts without going in debt.

The best advice you will ever get !

 

[jrherald420]

jrherald420.... Nice , Well organized box.What special use are the vise-grip withthe welded rod .

Dont know, they ended up in my tool box after work one day. No one claimed them so i kept them. Ive had them now for 12 years.