Starting out marine tech's (what tools to buy)

[JUSTINTIME]

plan on working on everything from outboards to i/o stern-drives and diesel

i already have

DMM
DVA
Timing light
Comp tester
IR temp gun
Fuel pressure/vacuum tester
test light
spark board
neon tester

what else would u guys recommend?

so far
diagital calipers
flywheel pullers
grease guns
nail polish
drill bits
taps

 

[rodbolt]

Re: Starting out marine tech's (what tools to buy)

what I reccomend is learning how to interpert your gear.
we have hired 4 graduates of MMi, fired 3 and the 4th is hanging by a thread.
all were good guys, none accepted the fact that they graduated with enough knowledge to be dangerous and not enougfht to actually do anything.

the last guy is almost technically competent but so slow ya cannot make money.

thats my job at Joes marine.
I try my best to teach.
ask me a question and I refuse to answer.
but I will make the tech answer it.
if he wont I go to the owner of the shop and force an answer.
either way that tech is gonna answer or leave.
Justintime
at school do they teach ya how to split the spanner nut on gear cases?
do they teach ya how to use the oxy/actylynene to loosen stuff?
do they reach you itsw all suck,squeeze bang and blow?

the best tool in your box is actually in your head.
trust me.

I have a slight advantage over some folk cause I stayed twice at a holiday inn.

 

[roscoe]

Re: Starting out marine tech's (what tools to buy)

neosporin and a case of those stretch fabric band-aids. d

 

[JUSTINTIME]

Re: Starting out marine tech's (what tools to buy)

yes they teach us the spanner nut, but that is next week in I/O for me

yes 4 stroke theory, intake,comp,power,exhs (i new that when i was 13, rebuilt a vw motor with my friends sand rail)

do they teach ya how to use the oxy/acetylene to loosen stuff
nope, but i have used it, since my neighbor back home is a welder for the union that worked on the new bay bridge

u know that is funny about 3 out of 4
most of these guys here are fresh out of high school and never touched an engine

I'm not on that boat, i turned wrenches for most of my life, but that does not make me a master mechanic. i had the opportunity to go to ford/AAA school paid by ford, passed it up because i did not want to work on cars. i did tile/brick/masonry for over 10 years, fixed all the heavy equipment we used and maintained all the cars and tools. in the winter when it was slow, i worked at a ski/snowboard shop as a tech, which i fixed and maintained all the heavy machinery in all three shops. my off days were working on my Kawasaki 550 and 650 jet skis. doing my own port and polish jobs, carb re-jetting jobs and making custom parts on a Bridgeport mill. i have taking 2 years a machine technology, which i wanted a 2 year degree in so i could go into that field, but it never really stuck. i have used vertical mills,grinders, cnc and so on. i have arc/MIG/tig welded, still need to get better at it, but still I'm fair

this trade is not rocket science, but it takes a ton of common sense and mathematics

i see the only problem in the school is this
the people going to school think his is an easy field to get into, well it is not.

u know u might be certified on paper, but in the real world u are not work a penny!

i have stayed in a Holiday inn also

thanx rodbolt for the brain pick, it is people like u that make me want more and more into this job!

 

[rodbolt]

Re: Starting out marine tech's (what tools to buy)

dude
If ya wiswh to pick my brian ya gotta get some vitamin supplements.
if ya wish a crash course when your done with a puss school let me know.
one tech where I contract is quiting this spring and I am going to retire.
there is over 550 boats in dry stack and out side racks.
can ya do it or not ?
but picking my brain may result in dry heaves.

 

[JUSTINTIME]

Re: Starting out marine tech's (what tools to buy)

i would love a crash course, never hurt anybody from learning more
i will be done in may, will u still be around in NC then or off to some tropical places?

my real plan is get into the field here for a few years, then open a shop in Manzanillo, MX where i already have land. i want to rent jet-skis and fishing boats

 

[seahorse5]

Re: Starting out marine tech's (what tools to buy)


Justintime,

Did you take advantage and attend any of the classes or at least the Marine Service Expo last week in Orlando? It is the only convention put on for marine techs, it's in its 14th year, and it is sponsored by AM-TECH.

http://www.am-tech.org/

 

[JUSTINTIME]

Re: Starting out marine tech's (what tools to buy)

I'm a member, i wanted to take the Mallory fuel injection on Sunday and they canceled it

i talked to the reps and said i learn everything they teach at MMI, the school i go to

are u a member?

 

[WillyBWright]

Re: Starting out marine tech's (what tools to buy)

Get your own flywheel pullers. I'm always wasting time trying to track down enough bolts that fit the pullers the shop has. Or at least supply youself with your own collection of bolts & thick washers and use thier pullers. You might also want to invest in your own outdrive alignment tool, and your own grease guns. Get a bottle or two of nail polish in a unique color to mark your tools. A bottle of White-Out comes in real handy for timing marks. Also a dial indicator.

Aim for dealers that have a good record of sending their techs to factory schools. Too many feel it's a curse to send techs figuring the tech is going to leave and take their education with them. That road goes both ways when they hire a tech already trained, but some just don't see that. Dealers that don't participate in frequent training will stagnate you. I tend to stay with the dealers that invest in me and leave the ones that don't.

 

[JUSTINTIME]

Re: Starting out marine tech's (what tools to buy)

thankx willyb

 

[rodbolt]

Re: Starting out marine tech's (what tools to buy)

I also use my own calipers,drill bits and taps. never loan your tools.
stay away from dealerships that wont invest in their brands speacial tools. stay away from dealers that wont keep you up to date in training.
I also reccomend looking to see if the dealership is a member of the local BBB or Chamber of commerce and look for complaints.
and whatever you do stay away from shoe string financial opereators.
other than that buy quality tools,sears is good snap-on and matco come to you.
nothing like tearing up a phillips screw or finishing rounding a rusty hex over poor quality tools.

 

[JUSTINTIME]

Re: Starting out marine tech's (what tools to buy)

what I reccomend is learning how to interpert your gear.
we have hired 4 graduates of MMi, fired 3 and the 4th is hanging by a thread.
all were good guys, none accepted the fact that they graduated with enough knowledge to be dangerous and not enougfht to actually do anything.

the last guy is almost technically competent but so slow ya cannot make money.

thats my job at Joes marine.
I try my best to teach.
ask me a question and I refuse to answer.
but I will make the tech answer it.
if he wont I go to the owner of the shop and force an answer.
either way that tech is gonna answer or leave.
Justintime
at school do they teach ya how to split the spanner nut on gear cases?
do they teach ya how to use the oxy/actylynene to loosen stuff?
do they reach you itsw all suck,squeeze bang and blow?

the best tool in your box is actually in your head.
trust me.

I have a slight advantage over some folk cause I stayed twice at a holiday inn.

rodbolt

have u fired the guy yet?