Mechanics Evening Courses
Discussion
I have just completed an 8 week Motorcycle maintenance course at Clydebank college. There was a car maintenance course running at the same time. Great value and excellent facilities. 2hrs on a Tuesday evening 6:30 to 8:30. I learned lots of useful stuff and met some great people also. The lecturers were really good and I would highly recommended Clydebank.
I always wonder what the syllabus of these courses are like. (and the price!)
If you've got the space by a cheap snotter (even a non runner) and a socket set. That's what I did and there's not much you can't teach yourself with the internet and a Haynes manual
yeah yeah I know, haynes this, winge that etc etc but that's that google is for. For all the stick Haynes gets IMO it's a good starting point
If you've got the space by a cheap snotter (even a non runner) and a socket set. That's what I did and there's not much you can't teach yourself with the internet and a Haynes manual
yeah yeah I know, haynes this, winge that etc etc but that's that google is for. For all the stick Haynes gets IMO it's a good starting point
6C4GTS said:
samdale said:
what I did ....teach yourself.....
101 quick fixes with gaffer tape IIRC! 
BTW the old boat made it all the way from Edinburgh to Norwich this weekend with a mountain of crap in the back without losing so much as a shred of gaffer tape!
I've changed things like the water pump (£4.99 new OEM part from eBay!) and the coolant hasn't leaked a drop since!
Simple things like discs, pads, rear shoes etc are easy enough to figure out, even for a complete numpty like myself I'd never think it worth while to PAY somebody to show me how to do it!
ETA: Just looked, entry level city and guilds at Anniesland is £1000
£300 car leaves a s
tload of money spare to treat yourself to tools Edited by samdale on Monday 27th June 16:12
would also recomend teaching your self, and use the forum. bought a 71 spitfire when i was seenteen with out any prior knoledge and a forty fie pound toolkit from halfords. the car broke down permenantly but i neer had tyo call some one else to fix it or take it to a garage. used forums and workshop manual + haynes as a little reference.
now i hae a trade card for halfords, a project car and an mgb and service my friends classic cars.
you will learn fast if you want to. and you get the satisified feeling when you work somethign out
now i hae a trade card for halfords, a project car and an mgb and service my friends classic cars.
you will learn fast if you want to. and you get the satisified feeling when you work somethign out
I did the evening course at Anniesland. I wouldnt say it was a complete waste of time as any time spent mucking around with car engines is time well spent (right?), however it would be fair to say that there were a number of students in the class who even up to week 8 "didnt realise that my car had one of those" - talking about the spare wheel!
So, be warned - courses are always pitched at the slowest learner and therefore you might not get out as much as you hope. Another student turned up every week in a Maser 3200 though, which was a highlight.
If you can change plugs, oil + filter and discs/pads you prob dont need to go to a course.
There are benefits to a course though:
1. Hydraulic lifts
2. College tools + diagnostics
3. Social aspect
What would be good, is if there are any colleges doing advanced mechanic evening classes so people like mysaelf (and M1KEY by the sound of things) can learn to strip blocks down and also work on their own cars rather than the college junkers.
Any ideas?
So, be warned - courses are always pitched at the slowest learner and therefore you might not get out as much as you hope. Another student turned up every week in a Maser 3200 though, which was a highlight.
If you can change plugs, oil + filter and discs/pads you prob dont need to go to a course.
There are benefits to a course though:
1. Hydraulic lifts
2. College tools + diagnostics
3. Social aspect
What would be good, is if there are any colleges doing advanced mechanic evening classes so people like mysaelf (and M1KEY by the sound of things) can learn to strip blocks down and also work on their own cars rather than the college junkers.
Any ideas?
I've been considering this myself too.
Not the handiest for you mike but I do know that Stevenson College in Edinburgh offer two evening courses:
Motor Vehicle Maintenance (Basic)
Motor Vehicle Maintenance (Advanced)
Both are starting in August and that there are, unlike a lot of places, engines for stripping down and rebuilding.
I'll find out more info over the next few days and post up.
Not the handiest for you mike but I do know that Stevenson College in Edinburgh offer two evening courses:
Motor Vehicle Maintenance (Basic)
Motor Vehicle Maintenance (Advanced)
Both are starting in August and that there are, unlike a lot of places, engines for stripping down and rebuilding.
I'll find out more info over the next few days and post up.
deceptacon said:
What would be good, is if there are any colleges doing advanced mechanic evening classes so people like mysaelf (and M1KEY by the sound of things) can learn to strip blocks down and also work on their own cars rather than the college junkers.
And me!Just as well I didn't bother with the course then by the sounds of it. 2 years ago I'd changed oil, plugs and filter on a car. I bought a mk.1 mx-5, a Rod Grainger owner's maintenance book, a socket set and some swarfega! I've recently changed the hood, stripped and refurbished all of the brake calipers, changed various gaskets and seals in the engine ba etc etc (not meaning to sound like I'm blowing my own trumpet!).
I'd love to do an advanced course, strip engines, pistons out, gearbox/clutch/diff changes etc, but you really do need a garage and more specialist tools for the serious stuff.
klimakool said:
your more than welcome to come to my workshop on a day where there is something interesting to do and learn how to do stuff, be good to get the floor swept and have someone else make the tea for a change too 
Even for REALLY messy stuff, great, my mx-5 needs waxoyled underneath, I'll be up later with a pack of Jaffa Cakes in return klimakool said:
your more than welcome to come to my workshop on a day where there is something interesting to do and learn how to do stuff, be good to get the floor swept and have someone else make the tea for a change too
Sure you would have a queue for this, I would be happy to sweep and make tea to learn some tinkering tips.Quite like the idea of getting a project/something old to work on and luckily have got a fairly decent size garage as don't fancy the idea of doing stuff in the cold/rain - am getting old!
Did think about getting something like an old 328 (BMW not Ferrari!) and making it into a track car but not exactly top priority so can't see it happening too soon.
Will have a look at some of the courses suggested.
Did think about getting something like an old 328 (BMW not Ferrari!) and making it into a track car but not exactly top priority so can't see it happening too soon.
Will have a look at some of the courses suggested.
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