Your tools are more valuable than ever before

ORVietVet

Well-Known Member
Navy Supporting Member
Joined
Dec 31, 2023
Messages
2,645
Reaction score
4,842
Location
Oregon
Technology marches on. It has "marched on" so far that now, because of "A-I", the amount of S.T.E.M. training that was encouraged for so many years is leading to large/massive lay offs. Instead of getting trained for a vocation that will keep you working, the noses were turned up and "clean work" training was encouraged and vocational training was looked down on and courses were/are being shut down.

Yes, lots of STEM training is being used and will keep some in the work force but A-I is taking over, more and more. My uncle, who owned an automotive repair shop in Paradise, Ca., showed me how to diagnose and repair vehicles in his shop, when I got out of the service. He was tired of seeing me drink copious amounts of beer on a daily basis, with his son and daughter. He said, "Pay attention and learn and you can always get a job and live anywhere you want". He was right. His training? Aircraft mechanic during the Korean War. This was back when me and him were mechanics and not technicians.

The automotive hand tools and tool boxes and knowledge that we have here at this forum, is in high demand and even more valuable than ever before. I know a guy that has a 2 tier Mac Tool Macsimizer tool box, loaded with tools of all kinds and he is tired of working on his own vehicles. He is selling the box and tools to me, sometime before the end of year, for $3000. He has some physical limitations and is now going to be in the "waiting line" of vehicle owners that need vehicle work and because of shop shortages and technician/mechanic shortages, will need to schedule weeks in advance.

Now, more than ever, a tech/mechanic can make a very nice living with the right tools and knowledge. Shops are hiring left and right.

Your tools are worth a bunch of money. I can't say it enough. Your tools are worth a bunch of money. Sure, A-I is involved in the human body robotic surgeries now but the warm body human being is in high demand for vehicle maintenance and repairs. I have said for a few decades now that doctors have it easy. They work on 2 models and those models talk to them. A mechanic/technician works on ever changing models that are well in to the thousands in model counts.
 

JorgeS

Well-Known Member
Joined
Mar 16, 2025
Messages
66
Reaction score
191
Location
Anderson, IN
As a retired engineer (last position was as Electrification Engineer on Heavy Duty EV trucks/buses), I agree with you.
When I graduated from a small, private, high-end college, it took about 3 months' of my new salary to equate to my senior year's tuition. Now, it takes about 9 months' salary of a entry-level engineer to pay for one year's tuition at that same school. College costs have increased at several times the rate of inflation.
Skilled Trades jobs (mechanic/technician, tool maker, electrician, etc.) make good money, but they don't have to spend several years and hundreds of thousands of dollars, to get there.
Although I do most of my own work on all our vehicles, many don't. Great going - we need guys doing what you do.
 

ORVietVet

Well-Known Member
Navy Supporting Member
Joined
Dec 31, 2023
Messages
2,645
Reaction score
4,842
Location
Oregon
As a retired engineer (last position was as Electrification Engineer on Heavy Duty EV trucks/buses), I agree with you.
When I graduated from a small, private, high-end college, it took about 3 months' of my new salary to equate to my senior year's tuition. Now, it takes about 9 months' salary of a entry-level engineer to pay for one year's tuition at that same school. College costs have increased at several times the rate of inflation.
Skilled Trades jobs (mechanic/technician, tool maker, electrician, etc.) make good money, but they don't have to spend several years and hundreds of thousands of dollars, to get there.
Although I do most of my own work on all our vehicles, many don't. Great going - we need guys doing what you do.
Thank you. You made a key phrase: "Skilled Trades jobs (mechanic/technician, tool maker, electrician, etc.) make good money, but they don't have to spend several years and hundreds of thousands of dollars, to get there."

So many, or almost all, vocational schools are shut down because so many people push the college education. Stupid, stupid, stupid.

When I die, my tools could make a male/female a great living, if they are willing to commit. I have a Snap On 3 tier roll cabinet and a Snap On 2 tier roll cabinet, full of 75% Snap On tools and the rest are great quality as well but a different manufacturer. Lots of Mac Tools and SK Tools. Some USA Craftsman. Some ICON. And so on.

I have 4 different scanners. Seemed like a great idea at the time. :cool::cool::cool:

My girl will have to sell them and I have already told her what to sell for.
 

JorgeS

Well-Known Member
Joined
Mar 16, 2025
Messages
66
Reaction score
191
Location
Anderson, IN
Not just technical schools, high schools also.
My high school (Lane Tech in Chicago) had MANY shop classes. Many could be taken all four years, including double-period Auto Shop, Machine Shop, etc., in 3rd & 4th years. A co-op plan was available, sort of like an apprenticeship.
One of my friends was in the Auto Shop co-op; graduated one week, started full-time at a dealer the following week as a mechanic. I'm sure he's had a fruitful life (I moved away to work at Delco Remy and lost touch).
We need to return, at least partially, to that mindset.
 

ORVietVet

Well-Known Member
Navy Supporting Member
Joined
Dec 31, 2023
Messages
2,645
Reaction score
4,842
Location
Oregon
Not just technical schools, high schools also.
My high school (Lane Tech in Chicago) had MANY shop classes. Many could be taken all four years, including double-period Auto Shop, Machine Shop, etc., in 3rd & 4th years. A co-op plan was available, sort of like an apprenticeship.
One of my friends was in the Auto Shop co-op; graduated one week, started full-time at a dealer the following week as a mechanic. I'm sure he's had a fruitful life (I moved away to work at Delco Remy and lost touch).
We need to return, at least partially, to that mindset.
When out of the service and doing nothing but drinking beer with my cousins, my shop owner uncle, took me in to the shop and started me out sweep floors and clean up. Then diagnostics and then R&R components and told me that if I learn this and stick to it, I could work in any state and live where I want to. He was completely right. Then he showed me how to drink beer after work instead of all day.
 

stutaeng

Well-Known Member
Joined
Feb 9, 2022
Messages
858
Reaction score
2,258
Location
Dallas, TX
Very true! What I really don't get is why some of the young people would go to some fancy private university (with annual tuitions of > $100k), get buried in student debt, only to get a liberal arts degree that pays some $38k average, and probably wind up working as a barista at Starbucks. WTH?!

Don't get me wrong, there's nothing inherently bad with one of those things in themselves, but combining them all together makes absolutely no sense to me.

Edit: read this article... https://imagejournal.org/2011/07/12/starbucks-liberal-arts-major/

"A collection agency will repossess your iPhone, MacBook, guitar and Toyota Prius. It would repossess your tattoos if it could. You will end up living in your parents' basement."

That's funny as hell as a Man; but humanely, really SAD!
 
Last edited:

JorgeS

Well-Known Member
Joined
Mar 16, 2025
Messages
66
Reaction score
191
Location
Anderson, IN
Very true! What I really don't get is why some of the young people would go to some fancy private university (with annual tuitions of > $100k), get buried in student debt, only to get a liberal arts degree that pays some $38k average, and probably wind up working as a barista at Starbucks. WTH?!

Don't get me wrong, there's nothing inherently bad with one of those things in themselves, but combining them all together makes absolutely no sense to me.

Edit: read this article... https://imagejournal.org/2011/07/12/starbucks-liberal-arts-major/

"A collection agency will repossess your iPhone, MacBook, guitar and Toyota Prius. It would repossess your tattoos if it could. You will end up living in your parents' basement."

That's funny as hell as a Man; but humanely, really SAD!
If I respond as I fully want to, I'll cross over into being political, so I'll restrain myself.
Interesting article! Seems like the "kids" learned nothing from the "parents" - failure on the parents' part.
 

JorgeS

Well-Known Member
Joined
Mar 16, 2025
Messages
66
Reaction score
191
Location
Anderson, IN
You can never go back again. I miss the ability to tear down a vehicle and put it back together, it is difficult to accept that time takes it away, tools are gone.
I'm not sure I miss my 1972 Ford Maverick with the 200 CI I6. Let's see... plugs and points every 10,000 miles, rebuild that one-barrel carb every two years (or less)...haha - the good old days?
I think that's why this forum exists. We have vehicles that have the reliability of higher quality, but we can still get in there and fix our stuff.
It is easy to get intimidated by the OBDII stuff, but it can really be helpful at times.
I did have to get my brake lines replaced, because of the near impossibility of being able to bleed the ABS/Stabilitrak pump without the special computer.
I'm still thinking about a cam...;)
 

99Sierra2500

Well-Known Member
Joined
Apr 12, 2025
Messages
469
Reaction score
1,082
Location
Indiana
I'm not sure I miss my 1972 Ford Maverick with the 200 CI I6. Let's see... plugs and points every 10,000 miles, rebuild that one-barrel carb every two years (or less)...haha - the good old days?
I think that's why this forum exists. We have vehicles that have the reliability of higher quality, but we can still get in there and fix our stuff.
It is easy to get intimidated by the OBDII stuff, but it can really be helpful at times.
I did have to get my brake lines replaced, because of the near impossibility of being able to bleed the ABS/Stabilitrak pump without the special computer.
I'm still thinking about a cam...;)
I'd take another spin in my 340 cuda, doing 7 grand shifts with the 4 speed, prestolite dual points, and a Holley double pumper. My brother in law said it sounded like a jet engine. My 99 is about as old to me as that car was back then. Now days, a good day is to not need my walker, can't really hold a coffee cup with my left hand. Talking with one of my boys the other day about me going into assisted living. It is what it is.
 

SK101

Active Member
Joined
Jul 21, 2025
Messages
38
Reaction score
118
Location
Sask
At my local shop, when i picked up my truck, they showed me the room of diagnostic computers and specialist electronic gizmos and pointed out a few they could remember the price of, and then theres updates and subscriptions.

Apparently almost no one goes to mechanic school anymore.
 

Cadillacmak

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jan 9, 2025
Messages
745
Reaction score
1,539
Location
Alaska
I'd take another spin in my 340 cuda, doing 7 grand shifts with the 4 speed, prestolite dual points, and a Holley double pumper. My brother in law said it sounded like a jet engine. My 99 is about as old to me as that car was back then. Now days, a good day is to not need my walker, can't really hold a coffee cup with my left hand. Talking with one of my boys the other day about me going into assisted living. It is what it is.
I understand that! I have been building a truck this year and everything goes so slow because I am getting slow. My dad last year was helping us with construction and this year he can barely walk.
 

99Sierra2500

Well-Known Member
Joined
Apr 12, 2025
Messages
469
Reaction score
1,082
Location
Indiana
I understand that! I have been building a truck this year and everything goes so slow because I am getting slow. My dad last year was helping us with construction and this year he can barely walk.
I'm thankful for the time I have had. We pulled the engine out of one of my boys 74 C-20 the other day, still pretty fun even if i was having to sit out most of turning a wrench.
 

Latest posts

Members online

Top