Tattoo these words to your forehead. My first semester in college I was stupid & partied to much. I started dating my now wife my second semester, but didn’t shake the stupid part until I had to drop that semester. I could have threw my hands up, but I was determined to complete the degree. I was to ashamed to quit. I buckled down the next four years & got it done. Having to pay for those 4 years myself was a motivator also. Tune out all the noise & you’ll do fine.
Young man seeking guidance
- Thread starter User_name
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97C1500TJ
I'm Awesome
Congratulations! Be sure to look at Sunex tools. They’re inexpensive and 85% of my sockets and wrenches made by them and hold up well. Gearwrench makes some nice stuff too. I also have some cheap HF wrenches and sockets that I have shaved down and bent for more specific jobs so I don’t have to do so on a nicer brand tool.
Frank Enstein
Best. Day. EVER!
The black sockets @ Summit Racing are pretty nice and you can buy singles if they get lost. Like 934,000 10mm deep-well sockets!
My favorite ratchet is my Harbor Freight double flex 3/8 drive.
If you get calipers for measuring avoid the battery operated digital variety. The battery is ALWAYS DEAD. At least at my house.
When I had time I would repair friend's and family's cars for free except for the tools or supplies needed for the job. I got to keep the tool after.
I keep tools I will loan out (give away) and tools I will not.
If any younger people show an interest in what you are doing show them. That is my favorite part of wrench twirling!
My kids are special needs and couldn't care less about cars. To them they are appliances to take them to the store.
My plan is to pass on everything I know about mechanical things before I die.
Don't be afraid to ask. Especially here.
We have 2 rules at my house;
Be kind.
Help when you can.
Everything takes care of itself after that.
Every day can be the Best. Day. EVER! if you choose to make it so.
My favorite ratchet is my Harbor Freight double flex 3/8 drive.
If you get calipers for measuring avoid the battery operated digital variety. The battery is ALWAYS DEAD. At least at my house.
When I had time I would repair friend's and family's cars for free except for the tools or supplies needed for the job. I got to keep the tool after.
I keep tools I will loan out (give away) and tools I will not.
If any younger people show an interest in what you are doing show them. That is my favorite part of wrench twirling!
My kids are special needs and couldn't care less about cars. To them they are appliances to take them to the store.
My plan is to pass on everything I know about mechanical things before I die.
Don't be afraid to ask. Especially here.
We have 2 rules at my house;
Be kind.
Help when you can.
Everything takes care of itself after that.
Every day can be the Best. Day. EVER! if you choose to make it so.
RedneckWithPaychecks
454/350 x (4x4)²
Congrats on getting accepted! I side with Frank on the summit racing tools, I use some and they work good. I think that it’s good to see someone come into the wrenching career. My daughter got interested in cars, Foxbody mustangs and F body camaros.
Harbor Freight ratchets and wrenches for now. DO NOT buy tools on credit, and as you turn wrenches, you'll learn what you truly need to spend money on.
Hipster
I'm Awesome
Spot on advice on tool purchases so far. Got a kid at the shop now learning collision work, about to be a daddy that stepped off the tool truck with a $350 1/2 inch drive hand ratchet and a $300 welding helmet that falls way short of a Speed-glass one.
In the beginning you need quantity. He could have bought a boatload of stuff he really needed and the tech that been loaning him a few things here and there cut him off. Sorry at this point I'm not loaning a damn thing and trying to remember who got what when I need it to do a job.
When you get on the floor it's nobody else's responsibility to supply the tools. Carefully consider where and how that budget is spent. When I went from painting cars to collision work I bought one of those 300 piece Craftsman sets(Tons of sockets, ratchets, allen keys, wrenches, screwdrivers etc.. 30 years later I still have alot of it. It's my work at home, throw it in a tool bag to travel, on the boat, go to the junkyard stuff. Spend the money where it matters, precision measuring, torque wrenches, test equipment and job specific tools that you might find yourself needing.
There's a thread on this sight where tools and alternate sources for quality tools were being discussed but I can't locate it offhand.
In the beginning you need quantity. He could have bought a boatload of stuff he really needed and the tech that been loaning him a few things here and there cut him off. Sorry at this point I'm not loaning a damn thing and trying to remember who got what when I need it to do a job.
When you get on the floor it's nobody else's responsibility to supply the tools. Carefully consider where and how that budget is spent. When I went from painting cars to collision work I bought one of those 300 piece Craftsman sets(Tons of sockets, ratchets, allen keys, wrenches, screwdrivers etc.. 30 years later I still have alot of it. It's my work at home, throw it in a tool bag to travel, on the boat, go to the junkyard stuff. Spend the money where it matters, precision measuring, torque wrenches, test equipment and job specific tools that you might find yourself needing.
There's a thread on this sight where tools and alternate sources for quality tools were being discussed but I can't locate it offhand.
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97C1500TJ
I'm Awesome
I started with HF, Tekton, and Sunex. What I ended up breaking is what I replaced with Mac because I used it and used it hard! I still have and use daily my cheaper stuff. Lifetime warranty is lifetime warranty though. I can replace my HF on break any day of the week but the Mac truck hasn’t been by in months.
I have seen plenty of married with family men and women come thru my college program. They take the class more seriously
because they see the value and have an eye on the end goal. It isn't easy, they keep jobs and apply for all the aid they can find. We have a food pantry and gas cards they sparingly use when they need a little help. Your school may have resources, ASK them what they offer and use it when needed. Carpool, pack a lunch, do what is needed.
Lean on family and friends for daycare.
When the kids are young it is the right time. they go to bed early so you can study. They don't have evening school events or sports. They also don't need fancy vacations that cost money. A few minutes at the park is as important to them as a big trip would be, a student taught me that.
The spouse will have to sacrifice also, hopefully they can also see the end goal. the spouse has an equal or greater burden than the student.
Major tool companies offer discounts to accredited programs. Usually around 1/2 off. From the moment you start the program, think of yourself as a professional. Buy tools that a profe4ssional uses. They don't all have to be off the truck, talk to the instructor and industry people. Diesel is not light duty work. I have never regretted buying better quality. I often have graduates call 6 months to a year later asking if they can still get the discount (not my decision BTW) they realize they should a bought more or better tools.
because they see the value and have an eye on the end goal. It isn't easy, they keep jobs and apply for all the aid they can find. We have a food pantry and gas cards they sparingly use when they need a little help. Your school may have resources, ASK them what they offer and use it when needed. Carpool, pack a lunch, do what is needed.
Lean on family and friends for daycare.
When the kids are young it is the right time. they go to bed early so you can study. They don't have evening school events or sports. They also don't need fancy vacations that cost money. A few minutes at the park is as important to them as a big trip would be, a student taught me that.
The spouse will have to sacrifice also, hopefully they can also see the end goal. the spouse has an equal or greater burden than the student.
Major tool companies offer discounts to accredited programs. Usually around 1/2 off. From the moment you start the program, think of yourself as a professional. Buy tools that a profe4ssional uses. They don't all have to be off the truck, talk to the instructor and industry people. Diesel is not light duty work. I have never regretted buying better quality. I often have graduates call 6 months to a year later asking if they can still get the discount (not my decision BTW) they realize they should a bought more or better tools.
User_name
T.B.I Guy
Update: I have all my tools, and I am ready to go. Waiting on October 15th.
BUT I asked one of my 3 supervisors to help me out.
I work from 3-11:30 on evening shift. School is 8-2. I asked them if I could work 3:30 to 12 and the conversation went something like this:
Lead engineer:"so you're going to take this diesel course, finish it, and leave us high and dry?"
Me: "no sir, i just feel as though this is a once in a lifetime opportunity and I might not have another chance."
LE: "so, why not take a plc programming course?"
Me: "I was told that this company would provide courses, opportunity to learn, and room to move up the ladder on stuff like plcs, vfds, and other forms of automation and motor controls, which I have seen none of and I've been here a year and 2 months. and i love working with anything that burns fuel, from gensets to nitro rc cars, it's a passion. I'm not saying that I'm just going to stop caring about my job by doing this, I just want to feed my passion."
Then one of the other supervisors butts in and proceeds to say "you won't find a job that pays any better"
Then the sead engineer says "I guess I'll see what I can do"
I honestly walked out of that office fuming, I felt like I was doing the right thing by giving them a heads up on what's going on so the schedule can be adjusted accordingly. Even if it can't that's fine. It almost seems like they're trying to talk me out of going.
I have honestly thought about finding a new job after this conversation. Even if it pays less. I just somehow think less of my superiors because of that one conversation.
Anyone wanna chip in and give me their thoughts?
Haha sorry about the rant
BUT I asked one of my 3 supervisors to help me out.
I work from 3-11:30 on evening shift. School is 8-2. I asked them if I could work 3:30 to 12 and the conversation went something like this:
Lead engineer:"so you're going to take this diesel course, finish it, and leave us high and dry?"
Me: "no sir, i just feel as though this is a once in a lifetime opportunity and I might not have another chance."
LE: "so, why not take a plc programming course?"
Me: "I was told that this company would provide courses, opportunity to learn, and room to move up the ladder on stuff like plcs, vfds, and other forms of automation and motor controls, which I have seen none of and I've been here a year and 2 months. and i love working with anything that burns fuel, from gensets to nitro rc cars, it's a passion. I'm not saying that I'm just going to stop caring about my job by doing this, I just want to feed my passion."
Then one of the other supervisors butts in and proceeds to say "you won't find a job that pays any better"
Then the sead engineer says "I guess I'll see what I can do"
I honestly walked out of that office fuming, I felt like I was doing the right thing by giving them a heads up on what's going on so the schedule can be adjusted accordingly. Even if it can't that's fine. It almost seems like they're trying to talk me out of going.
I have honestly thought about finding a new job after this conversation. Even if it pays less. I just somehow think less of my superiors because of that one conversation.
Anyone wanna chip in and give me their thoughts?
Haha sorry about the rant
It really sounds like they're counting on you not being able to advance in order to keep paying you a less-than-competitive wage.
I was talking with my daughter a few months ago and the jewelry store she was working at wasn't giving her opportunities to advance. I asked if she's been pursuing other jobs. "Ugh, no. I'm too busy."
Even when you're doing well in your job with an employer who takes care of you, it's good to know what other opportunities are out there. If you're in a job where you're not appreciated, you definitely need to be looking for another opportunity. There's nothing more fulfilling than having an employer reneg on their promises and tell you that you can't leave because they're short handed, and in response you give your two week's notice. Have you ever given two weeks' notice and been kept on that two weeks? I have, and that's the best feeling ever. Do you know how jealous my co-workers were?
Work hard, make yourself valuable, and let your employer know they have to pay to keep you.
