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Thread: Mechanics?

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    Veteran Member Habinairo's Avatar
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    Default Mechanics?

    Okay, who of you out there know about getting into auto mechanics? I am trying to become one, and I would like to learn as much as I can before going to school (cuz to me it costs too much yet), and I need to learn as fast as I can.
    Any of you know about cars and how to fix them? And advice or links would be amazing to me! Thank you so much!

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    Veteran Member Ferret's Avatar
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    Default Re: Mechanics?

    I do have advice on this subject. Constantly learn safety considerations. Use the right tools in the right way. Be wary of working on hot and pressurized systems. Use protective handcreams before you start work. Find out if you have a mechanical aptitude by, for instance, trying to repair a lawn mower. Actually, repairing small engines might be the best first step. Read manuals. Collect manuals. Collect tools.

    I hope you do not mind that I ask but why do you want to work as an auto mechanic?

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    Veteran Member Habinairo's Avatar
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    Default Re: Mechanics?

    Well, I've been interested for a few years now, my dad is a mechanic, and last Friday I helped him ( he hasn't let me help him before cuz I was "too small") put an engine in another car, and I loved it! I loved the dirt, the splinters and hard physical labour of trying to move the fekking thing into position to aligne the tranny and exhaust system, and I loved working with my dad. He's 54 and can't do this too much longer, he owns his own shop but works by himself because his expectations are too high for someone he doesn't know and they all quit. And I can handle his bullshit and I really want to be a part of his shop and do the labour part of it, while he is in the office allowing his body to heal. I've always enjoyed physical labour, I know it sounds stupid, but I loved working on my uncle's farm, I love working the yard, I love working on cars (for what I've been allowed to!), and as really retarded as it sounds, I do enjoy being physically spent at the end of the day. Only then do I feel like I've accomplished something, and that has stayed with me my whole life. Right now I'm just a server, and it's driving me nuts! It's not busy enough, it's not hectic enough, and I get home and I am the one cleaning and working outside at midnight because I didn't spend all my energy.

  4. #4
    Lola Rose
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    Default Re: Mechanics?

    corsica is big on cars I beleive....

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    Featured Member southstbabe's Avatar
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    Default Re: Mechanics?

    So is Lady Jade

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    Veteran Member wasfatboy's Avatar
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    Default Re: Mechanics?

    ok i know you want to be a mechanic, but lets also look at the down side.
    forget having fingernails or smooth skin, you will have plenty of scars from busted knuckles, or dropped parts. you will live with the smell of solvent or transmission fluid, and if your really lucky burnt gear lube. you will eat tons of greasy dirt, and be bathed in oil or anti-freeze regularly. and your skin will become leathery.

    if you want to become a mechanic go for it! but keep in mind it will takes it toll on you just look at your dad.
    i think you would be better off buying a street toy and working on it with your dad.
    im not being sexist im being honest.
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    Default Re: Mechanics?

    Could you work for minimum wage at a local shop?
    That may be a way to start.

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    Veteran Member BmiWMT14's Avatar
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    Default Re: Mechanics?

    Here is the thing, and I hate to say this. The little mom and pop garages are a dying breed. With the new car manufacturers offering better and better warranties, the little shops are losing business to the dealers.

    Being a mechanic in this day and age is harder than being a doctor. The human body is basically the same, and has been for a 100 years. Sure the sicknesses and technology have grown, but the actual patient has not changed. However there are literally 100's of different cars, each different than the next, and the cars change every few years. Requiring vast amounts of training each and every year.

    Then there are tools to consider. Each mechanic must provide his own tools to do his job properly. Tools are a huge expense, costing upward of $20,000 not including computers, and other diagnostic aids. I have one computerized tool that was $9,000 dollars, and requires around $1000 worth of updates each year.

    Then there are the wages. Mechanics are not being paid what they are really worth, and this is causing a shortage of qualified help. This in turn is producing less than satisfactory work.

    My advice to you is if you REALLY want to be a mechanic which I think is great, the days of learning on the fly are long since past. You need to look into a technical school, to help get you started.
    You Cant Quit until you try, You cant live until you die, You Cant learn to tell the truth until you learn to lie.You Cant Breath Until you choke,You gotta Laugh When your the Joke, Theres Nothing like a funeral to make you feel alive! Will you swear on your life, that no one will cry at my Funeral!
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    Veteran Member Ferret's Avatar
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    Default Re: Mechanics?

    I have another question: Have you talked to your dad about you wanting to carry on with his work?

  10. #10
    BrunetteGoddess
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    Default Re: Mechanics?

    I used to want to pursue a career in this field. Import Tuning fascinates me and I'm obsessed with cars.
    However with the reasons in this thread, and some additional ones, I decided to pursue a career that is better paying and more stable. Mechanics are not paid nearly enough for the hard work they do. They also typically can spend 7 days a week working 12 hours days in hot, rarely A/c'd garages(because remember, they usually aren't paid hourly, but based on how many jobs they do). I also have a back injury, and want to to be able to have nails and nice skin. Oh well. I've decided I'll still learn all I can and just do projects.

    And BMI, I have to disagree severely with the technical school idea being the ideal route. You can easily get the same or better education at a community college program for a mere FRACTION of the cost. I have done tons of research and actually many people in the auto industry laugh at tech school degrees because they are such a rip off and many times the students still aren't the top mechanics. Keep in mind these schools start at about $25,000 and go on up to $50,000. Many tech schools like UTI will tell you you will be sure to get a job, but with so many tech school applicants in the pile, what separates you then. It's just not worth that kind of money when you can quite possibly get a better education for cheaper.

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    Default Re: Mechanics?

    Talk to your dad.

    Work on your own car. Change the belts, plugs, brake pads, filters etc.

    Do you have a garage at your place you can use? Buy a crap old car that dosn't work. Get the maintence manual specifically for that car (books4cars.com) and then get to work.

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    Default Re: Mechanics?

    I never went to school to get certified. I started out at MIDAS as the counter girl and worked my way up through oil changing and finally up to exhaust work. Couldn't hurt to try that route before/during school.
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    Veteran Member BmiWMT14's Avatar
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    Default Re: Mechanics?

    Quote Originally Posted by CorsicaFire View Post
    And BMI, I have to disagree severely with the technical school idea being the ideal route. You can easily get the same or better education at a community college program for a mere FRACTION of the cost. It's just not worth that kind of money when you can quite possibly get a better education for cheaper.

    I agree 1000% I should have phrased it better, but what I meant was that in this day and age some sort of formal training is needed to excell in the automotive field.

    Just as an example, some of the new Caddilacs have 32 computers that all run on a serial data bus line. So now not only do you need to know the differance between a 9/16 and a 1/2 but you need to know how to diagnois networked computers.

    If you really wanna pursue a job in the automotive field I am all for it. I think it is a field that could benefit from having more women in it. Weather they be service writers, or actual techs.
    You Cant Quit until you try, You cant live until you die, You Cant learn to tell the truth until you learn to lie.You Cant Breath Until you choke,You gotta Laugh When your the Joke, Theres Nothing like a funeral to make you feel alive! Will you swear on your life, that no one will cry at my Funeral!
    Quote Originally Posted by cameron_keys View Post
    Yes please save me from this life of debauchery! You can all kneel down and worship at the Church of the Holy Clitoris to convince me!!

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    Veteran Member Habinairo's Avatar
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    Default Re: Mechanics?

    Okay, so, I definately will be working with my dad on things, he's already let me do a few things, then, there's this guy I know as a mechanic, he's going to help me work on the cars he needs to work on.
    Also, he told me I could use his tools until I could buy my own. I have my dad's shop I could work at. I know I have to train, I want to learn as much as possible before I start going to school so I have a better understanding of what's going on there. I def learn best on the job than in school, so I think that would be a bonus.

    Paige, that's a good idea as well. I'll look into that.

    As for looking nice, I really don't care. I've been the girl who looks best dirty haha! Yeah, but, nice nails and skin, meh, it's not the highest priority to me. And in the town I'm in, the sexiest women here are trades women.
    Mechanic jobs around here are more than minimum wage as well, and for some local shop that's not a big company, it's around $16/hour, unless it is piece work.
    All the advice on here is great, thanks a bunch!

  15. #15
    BrunetteGoddess
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    Default Re: Mechanics?

    Quote Originally Posted by Habinairo View Post
    Mechanic jobs around here are more than minimum wage as well, and for some local shop that's not a big company, it's around $16/hour, unless it is piece work.
    All the advice on here is great, thanks a bunch!
    Just to put it in perspective how shitty the pay really can be...

    That $16/hour isn't much when you take into account that I'm making about that or more with my tips working as a delivery driver.

    Just sayin....

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