How many of you are running Mitchell On Demand at home?
I am......
I can't do Jeeps yet but I can flash and reprogram GM EPROMS using my laptop.

 

You just explained what it took me a while to figure out in CF.
"the majority of members here at CF. They are hobbists not professional mechanics."

I thought this group was like others and full of gearheads.

That's why I am so flipid over buying tools. I need it I buy it. If it's something I'm going to use over and over and it makes me money then I get it.
So yeah I guess some of you aren't gonna just hop on the tool truck and charge it.

Not to be a snob but some tools are worth the price and I rather not have the busted knuckles.

And grinding through leaf spring bolts? Only if I have to and it's on the side of the road. I prefer the blue wrench.

 

I think calling us hobbyists(for the most part) is fair.. Saying many of us aren't gearheads is quite insulting though. Just because we aren't knuckle-busters for a living doesn't mean we aren't gearheads.

When I worked as a machinist's apprentice and turned tools for a living, I still didn't hop on the truck and charge a bunch of tools. Buying a ton of tools jsut to buy them simply isn't a smart use of credit. Those tool company financing plans still report to the credit agencies. You need to be able to show yourself you are losing work or jobs due to not having something.

 

Whowey I would appriciate if when you take offense to something posted you Do Not Quote Me as I Did Not Write It I just quoted it.
Take being offended out on BlueXJ the person I quoted.

1. You were an apprentice as posted by you. and hence you would not buy the tools a machinist such as Howler would buy. He'd even laugh at some of my calipers and mich's but they get me close.
Gearhead was from me, and if you feel you fall under that namesake then so be it.
Knuckle-busters are what you find twisting a wrench in a grease pit or junk yard. Some of us hold technicians papers that say we are certified in what we do. I myself have always taken the trouble jobs.
What would you like to be called? I personally don't call any of anything I'd post. <poke in sides>
2. You did not read what I posted only the part you wanted.
I posted I buy tools if I am going to use them over and over and they are going to make me money.
3. You shouldn't assume I just go buy tools ***** nilly. I say charge but my finances are my concern. Besides I think I am doing ok.
If you must know I been in the shop since 13 and go back so far with the tool dealers I never ever had to fill out finance papers and I pay my bill cash each week and love the deals on buying guys out paying half price.
Also as I'm sure you might know being on a tool truck we can buy or sell trade-ins.
Thank you but I don't need a finance lesson.

Back to the thread My new toy...

 

I am not a gear head I am a Jeep enthusiast. But I am also a damn good mechanic. You can call what I do with my Jeep a hobby but most people prefer to call it a way of life.

 

I'm a professional airplane mechanic, and believe it or not, they are a ton simpler to work on than modern cars. You see, EFIS is an "add-on" and almost all airplanes still use magneto technology, and run big Volkswagen engines.

Having said that, I'm not a big fan of "strap-on", and am even less of a big fan of mechanics going into debt for tools.

But to each their own.

 

Do you really want all that heat around leaf springs??

 

AMEN TO THAT. i built 20 of the c-17 aircraft at the douglas plant back in the 90's and i have worked on huey helicopters for 5 years, i also worked as a service advisor for the local chevy dealer for about 15 years, so i see both sides of this story.
some tools techs need to buy, some they want. to each their own, i prefer to just use hand tools and air tools, but a diag machine, i'll go visit a shop if its that bad, i have 3 shops i use because i have 3 freinds with shops, so as far as diag and test equipment, i'll talk to them...

 

Not a problem because I know how to cut and cut fast. It's never been a problem in the past.
I burn out the bushings fast also and to get the spring down where I need it I use a 1 ton bottle jack to push it down from the body.
Putting new bushings in (the one piece type) is easy if you grease them and have big enough sockets and long enough bolts to pull them into the spring.
I hate the 2 piece bushings as I have had them squeak to no end.

 

I figure if i have to borrow a tool more than 3 times then its time to purchase the tool, The tool like this scanner i just bought is something I use in diagnostics at work everyday, if i was just a hobbyist and not doing this for a career then it would not be something i would purchase.
im sure i can speak for all the flat rate commision techs on here by saying,"the faster you can do the work, the more money you can earn in a day" and to do that you need the tools, i do not own one tool that i do not use everyday.

 

X2 Buddy, Time truly is money in our profession, and if some people knew how much money most Techs had wrapped up in tools.....they wouldn't bat an eye at the price it cost to fix there car.

 

and if most techs knew how much it cost to keep a shop running they would never ask for raises
me personally, i would much rather pay the price and get the job done right the first time if its something i cant figure out thats all i know,

 

And if most techs knew that the boss spent their raise at the golf course, while they were working for free in order to keep "HIS" doors open.......Well it's hard to say what would happen

 

I do know... I have two ex-techs working for me. Forced out do to the high cost of the tools, paying for tech school loans and working for peanuts while the stealer charges $80 plus an hour for labor.

 

Oh dont even get me started on that, my boss is so tight he squeaks when he walks
I dont know what work is like where you guys are? but here in VA it is slow slow slow, My next paycheck is looking bad..... All thats keeping me going is state inspections