Hobby Mechanics - Manace or not?
Discussion
Menace or not?
Seeing some of the posts, particularly brake-related stuff, reminded me about an experience I had.
Back when I competed on bikes, a friend (mechanical eng) who also raced, offered to let me ride his 125 to get an extra few laps before my (250) race. He was injured, and this precluded him from a couple of races.
It was Dundrod, so even on a 125 decent speeds were reached. There were a couple of places where the brakes were applied really hard. I came back to the pits after a few practice laps, and commented that the front brake was "a bit snatchy". He replied that, as he had fitted new pads for the event (post scrutineering, as it happened), he was surprised they hadn't bedded in yet.
We decided to have a look. The silly bugger had fitted them the wrong way round!
I'm not sure if that says more about my ability/feel when riding, or about his capability as a mechanic.
I should say that since then, he has restored quite a few bikes (including RG/RD 500s) and some cars (including a TR4 and 12 cyl Jag) all without mishap!
His latest endeavour is building, with parts sourced from all over the planet, a TZ750. 'can't wait to get a go on that. I'll check the brakes first, though.
Seeing some of the posts, particularly brake-related stuff, reminded me about an experience I had.
Back when I competed on bikes, a friend (mechanical eng) who also raced, offered to let me ride his 125 to get an extra few laps before my (250) race. He was injured, and this precluded him from a couple of races.
It was Dundrod, so even on a 125 decent speeds were reached. There were a couple of places where the brakes were applied really hard. I came back to the pits after a few practice laps, and commented that the front brake was "a bit snatchy". He replied that, as he had fitted new pads for the event (post scrutineering, as it happened), he was surprised they hadn't bedded in yet.
We decided to have a look. The silly bugger had fitted them the wrong way round!
I'm not sure if that says more about my ability/feel when riding, or about his capability as a mechanic.
I should say that since then, he has restored quite a few bikes (including RG/RD 500s) and some cars (including a TR4 and 12 cyl Jag) all without mishap!
His latest endeavour is building, with parts sourced from all over the planet, a TZ750. 'can't wait to get a go on that. I'll check the brakes first, though.
Really interesting topic because I do lots of research into regulated professions and the use of skill mix and role substitution.
If vehicle repairs were regulated you would simply see garages working with a small number of "qualified" people supervising lots of cheaper "unqualified" people. As many of the posters have noted, it's quite common for franchised garages to use the term "technician" rather than mechanic. They tend to rely on computers to read fault codes and generally replace parts rather than fix problems in situ.
MadProfessor said:
Really interesting topic because I do lots of research into regulated professions and the use of skill mix and role substitution.
If vehicle repairs were regulated you would simply see garages working with a small number of "qualified" people supervising lots of cheaper "unqualified" people. As many of the posters have noted, it's quite common for franchised garages to use the term "technician" rather than mechanic. They tend to rely on computers to read fault codes and generally replace parts rather than fix problems in situ.
Actually you'll find the rise of the word 'technician' in a workshop environment has more to do with the fact that in the good old days of points and condensers that many refer to there would be usually be skilled in one specific area, fitters, electricians, upholstery workers, tyre fitters, etc. Nowdays when you're in a garage you're expected to do everything. You could be changing a clutch in the morning and replacing a full set of seat covers in the afternoon. Hence the boarder term of 'technician'.If vehicle repairs were regulated you would simply see garages working with a small number of "qualified" people supervising lots of cheaper "unqualified" people. As many of the posters have noted, it's quite common for franchised garages to use the term "technician" rather than mechanic. They tend to rely on computers to read fault codes and generally replace parts rather than fix problems in situ.
Menace eh - I think pic 2 in this advert suggests the chap falls into this category, certainly with his bodywork skills!
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2006-Ford-Ka-1-3-/321523...
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2006-Ford-Ka-1-3-/321523...
Brake pads/discs
Throttle body cleaning
Basic service items (Oil/filters/plugs)
These are some things I have done, I don't think its a problem at all. I try to do as much as I can (Usually based on the tools I have, a £40 set from Halfords is limiting). I will attempt, if I fail or am unsure I'll just put everything back as normal and take it to my indie and watch him do it...
There's a huge wealth of information on the WWW, youtube especially is great for Tutorials on pretty much anything car related, from how t jack a car up, to doing full engine conversions, its on there, in detail.
In terms of safety, I always find out as much as I can about a specific job, if I'm doing brakes, fluid cap off, makes sure you pump brakes before setting off or you'll crash and die in a ball of flame, ha.
My friends lady said are you having fun working on your cars, and I said no, I said I feel really satisfied and its hard to explain, but I enjoy doing it.
That's what I think, I'm 20, saved a lot of money doing service stuff myself, lots of indies have tried to rip me off, luckily I have a good relationship with a guy in Croydon!
Throttle body cleaning
Basic service items (Oil/filters/plugs)
These are some things I have done, I don't think its a problem at all. I try to do as much as I can (Usually based on the tools I have, a £40 set from Halfords is limiting). I will attempt, if I fail or am unsure I'll just put everything back as normal and take it to my indie and watch him do it...
There's a huge wealth of information on the WWW, youtube especially is great for Tutorials on pretty much anything car related, from how t jack a car up, to doing full engine conversions, its on there, in detail.
In terms of safety, I always find out as much as I can about a specific job, if I'm doing brakes, fluid cap off, makes sure you pump brakes before setting off or you'll crash and die in a ball of flame, ha.
My friends lady said are you having fun working on your cars, and I said no, I said I feel really satisfied and its hard to explain, but I enjoy doing it.
That's what I think, I'm 20, saved a lot of money doing service stuff myself, lots of indies have tried to rip me off, luckily I have a good relationship with a guy in Croydon!
Might I add,
After being on Pistonheads/Car forums ever since owning my first car when I was 17, I've become very untrusting on some mechanics, lots of horror stories, people paying for services and the service not even been done at all, or not been done to a good enough standard. Doing it yourself you know its been done properly, if it hasn't you only have yourself to blame.
After being on Pistonheads/Car forums ever since owning my first car when I was 17, I've become very untrusting on some mechanics, lots of horror stories, people paying for services and the service not even been done at all, or not been done to a good enough standard. Doing it yourself you know its been done properly, if it hasn't you only have yourself to blame.
I've been servicing cars for 20 years, but rarely have time to work I them.
Today I had a few hours so did a little work on the suspension of my 3 series.
Just getting the rusted heap if s
t apart took 5 hours. For one side. A proper mech would have had it all done by now.
It'll be months before I get done with the rebuild as I very rarely have time to do anything these days. It's not my daily driver, so it doesn't matter if its December before I lift a spanner again.
There's so many techniques a proper mech has and so much experience that I'd never insult their profession just because I can do my oil and pads fast. I'd also be horrified if some idiot passed a law preventing me throwing spanners at my toy car when tine allows or stopped me servicing my mini-fleet. I'd have to ditch two or three cars.
Today I had a few hours so did a little work on the suspension of my 3 series.
Just getting the rusted heap if s
t apart took 5 hours. For one side. A proper mech would have had it all done by now.It'll be months before I get done with the rebuild as I very rarely have time to do anything these days. It's not my daily driver, so it doesn't matter if its December before I lift a spanner again.
There's so many techniques a proper mech has and so much experience that I'd never insult their profession just because I can do my oil and pads fast. I'd also be horrified if some idiot passed a law preventing me throwing spanners at my toy car when tine allows or stopped me servicing my mini-fleet. I'd have to ditch two or three cars.
LucreLout said:
I've been servicing cars for 20 years, but rarely have time to work I them.
Today I had a few hours so did a little work on the suspension of my 3 series.
Just getting the rusted heap if st apart took 5 hours. For one side. A proper mech would have had it all done by now.
By balancing their hourly cost against the cost of replacement parts, then getting the grinder out. If, of course, somebody was daft enough to be paying for labour to dismantle rusty suspension in the first place, rather than just running it into the ground...Today I had a few hours so did a little work on the suspension of my 3 series.
Just getting the rusted heap if s
t apart took 5 hours. For one side. A proper mech would have had it all done by now.TooMany2cvs said:
By balancing their hourly cost against the cost of replacement parts, then getting the grinder out. If, of course, somebody was daft enough to be paying for labour to dismantle rusty suspension in the first place, rather than just running it into the ground...
Its ran into the ground. I'm just trying to dig the ditch a little deeper 
The idea that it's all easy and we can all just whip out the gearbox for a driveway rebuild is a disservice to an experienced mech.
The idea that you need a mech to change the oil is a disservice to, well, almost everyone!
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