I want to be a mechanic

[chevy_cow]

I am 14 and i am interested in becoming a mechanic, so do you think it would be a good idea to buy an older jeep or some other cheap truck (or car) to take apart and put back together to self train my self before college. Then i might go mudding with my buddy ; also i go to a private school that does not have any classes for that.

 

[devino246]

Do you know anyone who can help you who knows what their doing? Its probably not the best idea to start taking a truck apart and then find you have no idea how to put it back.

 

[EagleTalons]

Transfer to a public school with a mechanics class for starters.

 

[Sleepy122CID]

I wish I had known I was interested in that sort of thing when I was in school, I probably would've gotten in some sort of shop class. I wouldn't waste time with tech school after high school. All the guys I've seen come out of there don't know crap it seems. I worked my way in at a shop doing oil changes and sweeping floors, 2 years later I started working at a Lexus dealership. After 2 years there I was Master ASE certified (plus L1). I'd say it is easier to learn hands on in a shop, but perhaps that was just how I learned best.

I quit a retail management position to start the oil changing job. It is never too late to change careers - do what you enjoy!

 

[Kenny_McCormic]

Just buy a car and start doing little stuff to it. The 1992 Camry I had was probably the easiest to work on car I have ever seen, other than trucks and old RWD full size cars where you can sit in the engine bay.

 

[Sleepy122CID]

Just buy a car and start doing little stuff to it. The 1992 Camry I had was probably the easiest to work on car I have ever seen, other than trucks and old RWD full size cars where you can sit in the engine bay.

I forgot about that part. I had started changing the oil, doing a few hop-up parts, a little car stereo on one of my cars when I realized I enjoyed that sort of thing...

 

[solomon]

I'm 16 and I nabbed up a 72 F100 just for the reason of the huge engine compartment. You defiantly want to also have a mechanical friend for when you get stuck, but usually the net has lots of
how-to's and so far i have done quite a bit to my truck with very basic knowledge.

 

[fowler]

i dont know if u have it in USA but in Aus we have a thing called work placement where the school organizes u to go to a workplace once a week all year, im doing it now and when im finished i will have my cert 1 (out of 4) in mechanics
talk to your school or organize to train at a workshop on the weekends
(dont expect pay)

 

[Russ2251]

I want to be a mechanic

Either you are, or are not.
I know at least 20 so called "mechanics". They are not.
Education means little if one does not have the "built in" talent.
Comes natural to a lot of us...but not all.

 

[fowler]

actually good point a mechanically orientated mind is good
and buying a ute and pulling apart may be a good idea as a lot is learned from trial and error but the error bit is a pain in the *** if its magor

 

[Kenny_McCormic]

Try rebuilding a lawnmower, something smaller/simpler like that. If you can tear it all down and remember how it goes together without any help then you have the talent needed.

 

[KieranM]

I feels that learning out of books is no good, unless you have the exact engine beside you. Experience is worth more than book knowledge.

 

[devino246]

Find out if you can do an apprenticeship at a local garage.

 

[oscaryu1]

We supposedly have that similar thing in the US (or in Texas at least). IF you join autoshop, they can hook you up to work as an apprentice for the summer.

Going to Metal Trades instead though (machining and stuffles )

 

[sideways]

Get an old car/truck/what ever probably one of the best things you could do IMO. Remember this though, a mechanic these days does an oil change and plugs their laptop in, that's about as involved as it gets, it's pretty **** boring after the second time. I know a few "mechanics" that couldn't tell me why OHV is better for power than side valve, the jobs that simple now. The knowledge base is quite limited unfortunately.

I feels that learning out of books is no good, unless you have the exact engine beside you. Experience is worth more than book knowledge.

That depends how far you want to go in mechanics, do you want to design and build your own parts? Then the theory of something is just as important as the experience, of course once you have both, you are king.

Thanks

Hayden

 

[devino246]

Get an old car/truck/what ever probably one of the best things you could do IMO. Remember this though, a mechanic these days does an oil change and plugs their laptop in, that's about as involved as it gets, it's pretty **** boring after the second time. I know a few "mechanics" that couldn't tell me why OHV is better for power than side valve, the jobs that simple now. The knowledge base is quite limited unfortunately.

Hayden

It really depends on where your a mechanic. I was considering going into that field but decided that id rather go into marine restoration and repair.

 

[Rotore]

go to the junk yard and get a small engine, a repair and learn how a basics of how an engine works and what it needs to run; fuel, spark and air go from there

 

[bajagokart]

We supposedly have that similar thing in the US (or in Texas at least). IF you join autoshop, they can hook you up to work as an apprentice for the summer.

Going to Metal Trades instead though (machining and stuffles )

theres always instrumentation if your into computer and mechanics as well!

 

[Kenny_McCormic]

Get an old car/truck/what ever probably one of the best things you could do IMO. Remember this though, a mechanic these days does an oil change and plugs their laptop in, that's about as involved as it gets, it's pretty **** boring after the second time. I know a few "mechanics" that couldn't tell me why OHV is better for power than side valve, the jobs that simple now. The knowledge base is quite limited unfortunately.

This is very true, my Dad wrenches for Kia now and they just replace entire engines and transmissions. If you REALLY want to learn how to turn wrenches find somebody 40+ years old.

 

[bajagokart]

KIA's are about the BIGGEST pieces of crap ever made!