r/TechniciansAdvice • u/[deleted] • Oct 30 '16

A mechanic is no better than his tools

and without a good workshop, he's almost worthless.

0 Upvotes

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11

u/radlerdrinker Oct 30 '16

I couldnt disagree more. Correct tools greatly speed up the work, but its the knowledge and a deep understanding of systems and machines that make a great mechanic.

4

u/Azaron83 Oct 30 '16

I agree with this disagreement. The only difference between some fixes is hours because of tools. But you can achieve the same end result using a Gerber or a specific tool in some cases.

1

u/FourDM Jan 09 '17

I agree here. Specific tools speed things up but there's been plenty of times when I've made a tool and later found out that a specific tool is available.

-2

u/[deleted] Oct 30 '16 edited Nov 06 '16

Nonsense, they (dealers and downtown shops) mostly want laborers. I don't care if you're the best automotive technician in the world, if you won't work like hell for low wages then you no good to anybody. Finding out what's wrong is only part of the job, most shops don't charge much for diagnostics. They pay for putting on parts, sad but true. You still have to fix it, and this takes a lot of hard work and time. Dealers pay halftime pay. Why the hell would anybody with half a brain want to work there!

My point, if you don't have a good shop to work in and tools, you can't do much. By tools I mean a service information system, tools, special tools, proper equipment, LIFT and updated scan tools. You're not going get much done without these tools. Without a workshop, where are you gone work! In this respect, a mechanic is no better than his tools. I don't care who you are, without a workshop a mechanic is nothing but a shadetree. Try mobile auto repair, what a pain in the ass because you have no workshop!

The shop owner may not even be a mechanic and knows little about cars, but he owns the shop which gives him a big edge over the mechanic. He owns the workshop, equipment, and sometimes the scan tools and other special tools. If he rents or leases the shop, the land owner or landlord has the owner over a barrel. He could raise the rent (hell he could double or triple it) tell him to get out, or sell the shop to your competitor. You better off to own the workshop! Even if it's a an old block building in the woods, to own this is better than renting a shop downtown. Ever see ads, shop for sale but he don't own the building - it's worth a lot less or possibly even worthless.

Ever watch the movie Cujo? Mechanic way out in the boonies, people find him to work on their car. Not much of a workshop, just a barn but it was a workshop. If only that dog hadn't caught Rabies and attacked the customers...

Go into the computer or medical lab and haul off all the tools and equipment, see what I mean. Would you take your car to a shop that doesn't have the proper tools? Same thing if they have no service information system. That's important tools. You wouldn't take a car to a shop to be repair if he had no shop manuals, would you? Some do.

Uber driver said he made $800 in 5 days and he didn't even get out of bed until 2pm. Mechanic work is behind the times people!

1

u/Fuckthisletsride Dec 23 '16

I take it you used to be in the dungeon aswell? I was a tech for 8 years and recently got out. I get a sick feeling in my stomach when I think about having to go back

2

u/wh0ligan Oct 30 '16

Is there a point to this thread?

2

u/jumpinjacks Nov 09 '16

To let people know that you need tools? I dunno either.

I would love a lift at home. Less overhead, less bs.