- Location
- West Haven, UT
First of all, I'm flattered. I try to be as professional and knowledgeable as possible about things I'm working on but there is NO way to have the knowledge for everything out there, although some think they've got it.
Yes, I've been doing this a long time and have worked on a very wide range of things over the past 35+ years but things change over time and problem areas for each also change. I do a lot of reading in my spare time with the intent of always trying to gain more knowledge and improve my skillset.
Next, when working on something I am unfamiliar with I take the basic skillset I have of how things work, basic mechanical aptitude and apply it as far as I can when going into new territory. If/when I get to something I am unfamiliar with I revert back to the basics to see how things come apart and then search the internet for either wiring schematics or exploded views to help me. I am always seeking to understand more than anything.
When I first started out I met people who specialized in certain fields and while they were good at what they did and knew that one thing very well, I always wondered what would happen if that one thing went away or was no longer in need or demand. That drove me to try and be more well rounded vs. specializing. I think that has also been to my advantage as I work on various things.
Probably the biggest factor was early in my career when I was trying to go from my apprentice level pay and knowledge to what we called journeyman level I had asked my boss and mentor what I needed to do to become a Journeyman mechanic. He smiled and told me it is never ending and you should always be learning. He shared a quote with me that has stuck with me for 35 years now and I roll it over in my head quite a bit, especially when I have something I'm working on that is kicking my ass. He said "knowledge itself is of no value, it is the use of that knowledge that makes it valuable." I took that to mean you can be the smartest person in the world but if you don't use that to benefit yourself or anyone else, it's worthless. I have tried to use my knowledge to benefit myself and my family all these years by taking on work and projects that may be outside my wheelhouse but I sought to gain an understanding of and to get experience with.
Then he asked me what I thought a Journeyman mechanic was? That caught me off guard but I told him it was one of the senior guys in the shop that seemed like they could fix most things that come through the shop door. He said, "I'll take it one step further and say it is someone who can fix ANYTHING if you put an electrical schematic and/or service manual in front of them". I took it literally and have tried to apply my basic skillset that I started my career with, taught to me by my dad, and build upon that with each and every job I do.
I have no formal schooling and everything has had to be learned by the school of hard knocks but it has taught me one valuable lesson and that is to not rely on anyone and just figure shit out for myself. Especially since my dad and my mentor have both passed, I figure I have no one to turn to for advice so it falls on my shoulders to figure things out for myself.
Sorry for the long explanation but in case you can't tell I am VERY passionate about being a mechanic, sometimes too passionate. I have had a couple of exceptional role models and mentors in my life and I continually try to measure up to their examples. My father was not an educated man but could fix about anything. It may not have looked the best but it would function. My old boss and mentor took that to the next level and his approach to fixing things was almost non-human as he was so meticulous and anal about things. He had made a great life for himself and his family spinning wrenches and I aspired to be like him from an early age. He was one of the best mechanics I have ever known and I am continually trying to measure up. He also had one of the most well equipped home shops I had ever seen and I sought to match or exceed that and with the help of my wonderful wife I feel like I have finally accomplished that. I take what I do very seriously and try to continue to learn and build upon my skillset. I don't think I will ever be as good as I want to be as I keep falling short of what I think my father and mentor would expect from me.
