autotech class on the 21st - can't wait!

[Type X(J)]

yeah! jump starting my way to a new career in another field that I've grown to love. last night was the orientation, less than a dozen in my class, good thing I guess - less distraction and more attention can be given to students when needed. anyone have any advise on how i should proceed with class?

[MinisterofDOOM]

Cool. Let us know how it goes.

[nsrZ32]

I start up my Master Technician program with racing and high performance specialization on January 10th. I'm stoked.

Good luck with yours!

[Type X(J)]

when did you start school? how have you've been in school? how is the program(classes) in your place? the place(institute) where I enrolled, estimated graduation and certification in 2 yrs.

[metalsyth]

I will be going into my second semester in Automotive Technology with class being Electrical and Electronics and the second class being Diagnosising Battery, Starting and Charging.

Also go into the class with the willingness to learn and ask questions on anything that you have a problem with or If something doesn't look right.

[I Need $$$]

And go to all of your classes beacause employers look at attendance heavily. A lot of the time they will look at that over grades. I went to a one year school that was automotive/diesel and came out with perfect attendance and was .2 points away from graduating with an A average(Tennessee's A's are 94 and up) and really had no problem's finding a job and still getting offers to this day. Well have fun with it and good luck.

[jacob360]

Muahahahahahaha

Welcome to the rest of your life, IN HELL!

Just kidding. I graduated from my local community college with an associate of science in automotive, specializing in engine performance (not high performance, just driveability, emissions, etc.)

Most guys I went to school with never ended up getting into the trade, alot of the guys who wanted to realized they didn't have what it takes, or didn't want to do what it takes to get to the top of this proffesion.

While you're in school, pay attention, take notes, learn as much as you can. Don't slack off in the lab; get as much hands on as you can! If you finish your project, go help another group (if your school works like that).

Once you're out of school, you have to keep learning. It takes so much to learn this trade. You will not leave school as a master tech making 125K+/year. There is absolutely no substitute for experience.

My advice would be to start at a dealership. You will be able to focus on one or only a few lines, you'll get training, and the work environment is likely to be highly proffesional. I'd be at a dealership right now if it weren't for my driving record. I'm just waiting until a couple tickets fall off. My local Subaru dealership wanted to hire me and send me to school to become a Subaru master tech, but either thier insurance wouldn't insure me, or they didn't want to pay the higher rates.

Finding the right independant shop can be tricky(I'm not too happy where I'm at right now). They can be anywhere on the scale from practically a junkyard to a specialty shop that even dealership techs will call for help.

Just get used to having shredded hands and arms, a sore back from being in a strange position for long periods, etc. The frustration and lows can be pretty bad, but if you have the type of personality that can cope with stress, you'll do fine.

I'm not trying to scare you or turn you away, I just want to you to have a realistic picture of what you're going to be getting into. Too many kids see the trade school commercials and think one year of school and it's all gravy from there. You'll have to pay your dues. The first year or two you'll spend all your money on tools (if you buy good tools, ie: snap-on).

When all is said and done, I do enjoy what I do, it just isn't for everybody. Remember, it's all up to you; I've seen kids out of Wyotech and UTI that still need to be babysat through an oil change.

Sorry for the long rant, I'll step down off my soapbox now.

Good luck!

[rousie13]

I start up my Master Technician program with racing and high performance specialization on January 10th. I'm stoked.

Good luck with yours!

Thats the same day I start working for Honda.

Good luck with school guys.

[DAEDALUS]

Sounds like you're off to a good start Jacob. I'll be taking the Cali Clean Air course next semester at a community college. I meet a lot of guys in my classes that couldn't really hack the job. Seems they're not willing to pay their dues as you stated, and the biggest comlaint is giving all their money to the SnapOn guy every week. One guy quit and now makes more working at Starbucks plus he doesn't have to buy tools or break his back. But of course senior coffee techs don't make $125k/year.

Played with several brands of scan tools this past semester. The Modis just plain rocks.

[hudy]

I have come to find out that working on cars is a good hobby, but not as fun for me as a career. After a day of working on other peoples crap, I just don't feel like doing anything with mine. I think I'm just in a slump right now though. Hopefully it will come back to me

[I Need $$$]

Ok everything Jacob just said is what I would have said but I am to damn lazy to type all of theat. It's a good field( I am an apprentice tech at BMW right now). But if I suggest something, get another degree. I had two years of college under my belt when I went into this but because of taking to many histories and social sciences its really only about 1.25. You will relize after you start working that that is not what you want to do for the rest of your working career. If you 18-19 now and take part time college courses at your local community college then by the time you 25 or so you will have a degree and be able to move further up where you can make the big bucks sitting on your ***. Like i said before good luck and keep your attendance up.

[rousie13]

I'm going to graduate at 23 with 1.5 years of experience already......not too bad at all if you ask me.

[nsrZ32]

when did you start school? how have you've been in school? how is the program(classes) in your place? the place(institute) where I enrolled, estimated graduation and certification in 2 yrs.

I start on January 10th. The Master Tech program is 18 months. Class size is small, I got Monday-Thursday 8am-2pm. The Racing and High Performance building and tuning program is 3 months and starts immediately after the Master Tech program is done. So all in all I'll be in 21 months. Should have done this right out of highschool.

[Type X(J)]

this was my first week. I have 2 classes this semester - auto tech basics & electronics. Electronics is a kick mainly because of our professor - Mr."A"while the auto tech basics is a snooze.

thx for your advice Jacob360. if I dont' check in, I hope every1 have a safe and happy holidays

[mikeh16]

The first year or two you'll spend all your money on tools (if you buy good tools, ie: snap-on).

Just wondering why everyone thinks that Snap-On tools are so awesome? I can't see any reasone to pay $100 for a socket wrench. I jsut buy Craftsman from sears, they have a lifetime warranty. Does Snap-On have something better, or is it just the name?

Thanks,Mike

[metalsyth]

Just wondering why everyone thinks that Snap-On tools are so awesome? I can't see any reasone to pay $100 for a socket wrench. I jsut buy Craftsman from sears, they have a lifetime warranty. Does Snap-On have something better, or is it just the name?

Thanks,Mike

Mainly it is the name but Sears here lately has been a prick with the Craftsman Warranty making it where you have to send the tool and having to wait on them to send you the tool back just to realize that all they did was fix the tool and not send a new one and it is alot easier to deal with the Snap-On man when he comes by.

Sorry I really dislike Craftsman Tools

[nsrZ32]

Mainly it is the name but Sears here lately has been a prick with the Craftsman Warranty making it where you have to send the tool and having to wait on them to send you the tool back just to realize that all they did was fix the tool and not send a new one and it is alot easier to deal with the Snap-On man when he comes by.

Sorry I really dislike Craftsman Tools

Never ever had to wait on a craftsman tool. Always given a replacement on the spot. Never been asked questions, regardless of the sears store. Never repaired, always brand new.

[metalsyth]

Never ever had to wait on a craftsman tool. Always given a replacement on the spot. Never been asked questions, regardless of the sears store. Never repaired, always brand new.

I may need to find another Sears store because the one I have been to has told me that.

And on the repaired tool, i had a craftsman ratchet that was sent to them they sent it back to me fixed for about two months and broke again and I know it was the same tool I mark my tools.
Modified by metalsyth at 11:04 AM 12/23/2004

[PoorManQ45]

Good luck.

I just finished my first semester as a Automotive/Electrical/Mechanical Engineer

[jacob360]

Just wondering why everyone thinks that Snap-On tools are so awesome? I can't see any reasone to pay $100 for a socket wrench. I jsut buy Craftsman from sears, they have a lifetime warranty. Does Snap-On have something better, or is it just the name?

Snap-On makes the highest quality hand tools out there, period. They manufacturer thier own tools, have a lifetime warranty (a tech I work with waranteed a socket he just broke after it had been in regular use since 1960), they use higher quality materials, are stronger, more durable, more ergonomic (comfortable), are manufactured to tighter tolerances, and are designed to put torque on the flat of a hex, not the corner. I've used Snap-On sockets to remove bolts rounded off by Craftsman ones (something you'll hear alot of mechanics and Snap-On guys say, but it's true).

Part of the huge price difference is the name, but the differences in quality are substantial and significant. My tools earn my living. I use them eight hours a day five days a week. I need them to be effective and consistent.

Craftsman tools are great for the home user, I plan on buying alot of Craftsman when I start building my home set. You can't beat the value and warranty. I'm even going to buy Craftsman for work, for tools I rarely use, like 12 point sockets. When it breaks, I'll just get another one.

Matco and Mac are good quality proffesional tools that are significantly better than Craftsman, but I've noticed significant differences with Snap-On, and plan on eventaully replacing the Matco wrenches and sockets I have with Snap-On.

To the guys in school right now, take advantage of the student discount programs from Snap-On and Matco. It is a huge help when you're starting to build your set. I took advantage of both to the maximum they would allow. Got into a good amount of debt, but once I started working full time, I paid it off relatively quickly.

thetoolwarehouse.net has great prices on alot of air tools, specialty tools, and equipment like fluid evacuators, non-contact pyrometers, etc. I saved alot of money buying from them. When it comes to tools other than hand tools, alot of stuff is just rebadged (especially Mac and Matco, or anything Snap-On sells as Blue Point). Just buy it under the manufacturer name (OTC, Lisle, Ingersoll Rand, etc.) and you'll save money.

[DAEDALUS]

My tools earn my living. I use them eight hours a day five days a week. I need them to be effective and consistent.

Excellent post Jacob. Snap-ons are not only stronger but lighter too. "Evolved and Optimized". Less prone to causing repetitive motion injuries. Like having a comfy chair for working in an office, the difference in cost is well-justfied. I am perfectly happy with Craftmans too for my limited weekend use, but I totally appreciate the better design in Snap-On. Been a frequent customer of thetoolwarehouse for a couple years myself--I can't help but to take advantage of all their free shipping offers.

[jacob360]

Yeah, I found them by accident, and now I always check there first before I buy anything. I also like that they don't charge tax to customers not in thier state; just more savings.

So you're going to take the Basic Clean Air Course. Damn that class is boring! All those smog laws to remember Aren't you taking the advanced class too? I took them both at the same time. I live in a basic area, but I'm getting my enhanced anyways. Just finished meeting the requirments (passed L1), and sent my app in last week.

Take it easy

[Type X(J)]

btw - all my tools and uniform will be provided by the school. no need for me to buy 'em

[DAEDALUS]

Free tools. Schweet! Bet the tuition isn't cheap! My employer pays for my tuition and books. I pay for parking. The tools I've been buying little by little for the past 10 years or so.

[I Need $$$]

With my tuition I got 5 shirts(uniforms) books, and a set of Snap-On tools when I graduated. Tuition was high at 16k for one year though. If I could go back I would go to another school seeing as though I am not even using the diesel part of my education(its was half of the school). What school are you going to in NJ?

[Type X(J)]

I'm going to Lincoln Tech (Union, NJ)
Modified by Type X(J) at 10:01 PM 12/27/2004