VACharvel
Member
Hey...joined up yesterday and am incredibly impressed with the knowledge and years of experience that I have found from this site...very good inforrmation.
Anyway, I am planning on attending the UTI Motorcycle Mechanics Institute for their Harley Davidson mechanic program with both the early and late model electives. Once the new Post 9/11 GI BIll is changed to allow non-degree programs, I'm enrolling for the next available class.
The new Post 9/11 GI Bill is awesome....because the school is in Florida, it will be paid in full with no out of pocket $ from me for tuition (MMI is expensive), and I'll also get about $1500 a month for living expenses while I'm there and if I get a roomate, that will leave plenty for food, gas, entertainment etc. each month and I won't have to work while I'm there.
I'm in a strange situation in that I'm a medically retired US Marine with a little over 14 years of service and disabled due to PTSD and other physical disabilities. I just want to attend MMI to increase my knowledge on Harley's and once I get home, buy a lift and a air compressor and set up my home garage. I plan on working on my bike and those of my buddies in my spare time, and also building some kit bikes for re-sale also around 2-3 a year or so.
I've been looking at and researching the SEP program Snap-on has for students and have pretty much figured out what I want to start my tool collection.
Here is where I need your advice, and also important to note my tool budget for the 14 months is appox $20K while I'm there.
I've decided to grab the following (tentatively):
9200AGSO Master Tech Starter (Apprentice set w/GS20 addon group)
9000GS3O add on set
Sepstarter Set
Sepcore (I believe we get that as part of the program included w tuition and not part of the $7500 limit)
SEPFAR7200K 3/8" Dr air ratchet set w/sockets
SEPMG725K 1/2" Dr impact gun set w/sockets
AT803K 3/8" reversable air drill kit
KRSC31 utility roll cart
That will pretty much wipe out my $7500 max SEP program budget from Snap-on, but I feel that is a good nucleus to build upon. This will include the most used 1/4", 3/8", and 1/2" socket drivers and accessories, screwdrivers, punches/chisels etc.).
If I can swing it with the rep, I also want to purchase the KRA2411 roll cabinet if one of the other students doesn't buy one or whatever...I dunno...I think I can make it happen at the student price. I'm gonna try.
The rest of the tools I want/need will probably be from Mac and Matco, depending on who(m) gives the better deal and treats me right...I'm planning on spending a LOT of $$ on tools when I'm in school.
I have no ambitions or desire to work professionally...this is just going to be a hobby for me. I want to re-do my bike and help my friends out if possible and avoid them the $70+$/hr bench fee at our local Harley dealer, and I'll be factory certified and hopefully knock out as many as the PhD classes I can while I'm there at MMI.
What are some of your recommendations with my above list, yes/no on my choices, or anything I'm forgetting....when I come home I'm buying a motorcycle lift and a good air compressor along with shop storage and workbench(es) aslo to complete my setup (well, it's never really "complete" is it lol!!).
Thanks...
Hope to hear your responses.
Anyway, I am planning on attending the UTI Motorcycle Mechanics Institute for their Harley Davidson mechanic program with both the early and late model electives. Once the new Post 9/11 GI BIll is changed to allow non-degree programs, I'm enrolling for the next available class.
The new Post 9/11 GI Bill is awesome....because the school is in Florida, it will be paid in full with no out of pocket $ from me for tuition (MMI is expensive), and I'll also get about $1500 a month for living expenses while I'm there and if I get a roomate, that will leave plenty for food, gas, entertainment etc. each month and I won't have to work while I'm there.
I'm in a strange situation in that I'm a medically retired US Marine with a little over 14 years of service and disabled due to PTSD and other physical disabilities. I just want to attend MMI to increase my knowledge on Harley's and once I get home, buy a lift and a air compressor and set up my home garage. I plan on working on my bike and those of my buddies in my spare time, and also building some kit bikes for re-sale also around 2-3 a year or so.
I've been looking at and researching the SEP program Snap-on has for students and have pretty much figured out what I want to start my tool collection.
Here is where I need your advice, and also important to note my tool budget for the 14 months is appox $20K while I'm there.
I've decided to grab the following (tentatively):
9200AGSO Master Tech Starter (Apprentice set w/GS20 addon group)
9000GS3O add on set
Sepstarter Set
Sepcore (I believe we get that as part of the program included w tuition and not part of the $7500 limit)
SEPFAR7200K 3/8" Dr air ratchet set w/sockets
SEPMG725K 1/2" Dr impact gun set w/sockets
AT803K 3/8" reversable air drill kit
KRSC31 utility roll cart
That will pretty much wipe out my $7500 max SEP program budget from Snap-on, but I feel that is a good nucleus to build upon. This will include the most used 1/4", 3/8", and 1/2" socket drivers and accessories, screwdrivers, punches/chisels etc.).
If I can swing it with the rep, I also want to purchase the KRA2411 roll cabinet if one of the other students doesn't buy one or whatever...I dunno...I think I can make it happen at the student price. I'm gonna try.
The rest of the tools I want/need will probably be from Mac and Matco, depending on who(m) gives the better deal and treats me right...I'm planning on spending a LOT of $$ on tools when I'm in school.
I have no ambitions or desire to work professionally...this is just going to be a hobby for me. I want to re-do my bike and help my friends out if possible and avoid them the $70+$/hr bench fee at our local Harley dealer, and I'll be factory certified and hopefully knock out as many as the PhD classes I can while I'm there at MMI.
What are some of your recommendations with my above list, yes/no on my choices, or anything I'm forgetting....when I come home I'm buying a motorcycle lift and a good air compressor along with shop storage and workbench(es) aslo to complete my setup (well, it's never really "complete" is it lol!!).
Thanks...
Hope to hear your responses.

You will probably have a couple other vets your age in class with you. You deserve all the benefits they give you.