For those of you that do this for a living
Thread Starter
Launching!
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 299
Likes: 21
From: Phoenix, AZ
For those of you that do this for a living Whats it like? In high school I always wanted to work on hot rods, but I decided to take another route after earning the GI bill while I was in the military. I did the University thing and ended up in a white collar office/desk job which apparently is the thing to do these days. Long story short, I dont like working in an office and Im still addicted to working on cars. Ive always wanted to work in the performance aspect of the automotive industry, but I never pursued it for fear of ending up being a joe shmo mechanic working on regular cars all day. My buddies that did the mechanic route dont work on their hot rods anymore if they havent sold them already.
I always thought that if I worked on cars, even nice ones, for a living, I wouldnt enjoy it anymore.
Do you guys still enjoy it?
How did you get into the industry?
I always thought that if I worked on cars, even nice ones, for a living, I wouldnt enjoy it anymore.
Do you guys still enjoy it?
How did you get into the industry?
I too have had those feelings. I have done a small number of jobs for local shops. Trans. shop that is reasonably well run and focuses on repeat business opportunity should be a winner. A custom shop run by younger guys with hack parts, I couldn't tolerate.
If I resume doing work outside my white collar stuff, I am going to focus on having numbers that help direct and support what work is profitable, repeatable, and will help drive ongoing existence, instead of time waster work.
Never agains: Broke dick 240 owners with a trans. in a box. Young guys at a shop who grind a shifter rail to make an offset shifter work, and dump ferrous powder in, so the bearings can die. Oh, and don't know how to wire a rev. lockout on a T56. Automatic techs / shop owners who do not know manuals, and want support for obvious as F wallowed out alum. forks. Okay I feel better now. LOL.
If I resume doing work outside my white collar stuff, I am going to focus on having numbers that help direct and support what work is profitable, repeatable, and will help drive ongoing existence, instead of time waster work.
Never agains: Broke dick 240 owners with a trans. in a box. Young guys at a shop who grind a shifter rail to make an offset shifter work, and dump ferrous powder in, so the bearings can die. Oh, and don't know how to wire a rev. lockout on a T56. Automatic techs / shop owners who do not know manuals, and want support for obvious as F wallowed out alum. forks. Okay I feel better now. LOL.
TECH Fanatic
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 1,643
Likes: 526
I would suggest a couple of things. If you don't like your job find something you do like but don't jump off that cliff until it covers all your expenses. In the Phoenix area there has to be a number of custom shops that need some level of help. Maybe running parts or any number of lower skill jobs to get your foot in the door. Show up on time. Always ask if there is anything else needs to be done. Pass a drug test. Not suggesting you wouldn't but you would be surprised how many don't.
Or keep your present job and use your hot rod building skills as a stress reliever. I'm retired now and had a fairly high stress sales job. My hot rod builds were a big stress reliever for me.
Or keep your present job and use your hot rod building skills as a stress reliever. I'm retired now and had a fairly high stress sales job. My hot rod builds were a big stress reliever for me.
On The Tree
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 192
Likes: 1
I done that last option, I kept my fortunate to have day job and spent the money I made on evening and weekend projects. I was right for me cause I was not likely to have made it in the car world wrenching. I love my fiends that do work in the field but none of them have hit it big enough to have the comfort 6 figures can buy. Don't get me wrong, I hated the day job but it just payed the bills too well and afforded all the motor sports toys I wanted and all things, family being a big one considered, It was unfortunately the right thing for me. my advice now that I am retired is to envision a product to manufacture or have manufactured and sell it in the market. you get to be in the game and enjoy the hobby and work for your self on the side until it will support you......
I fabricate, wrench and (recently) tune for food and mortgage money. I already wish I had more space and more time.
It's not bad. Just remember that people really like creating problems with mismatched bullshit and then bring it to you to fix. Learn how to tell them what's really gonna happen without kicking their puppy and it'll be alright.
It's not bad. Just remember that people really like creating problems with mismatched bullshit and then bring it to you to fix. Learn how to tell them what's really gonna happen without kicking their puppy and it'll be alright.
On The Tree
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 192
Likes: 1
I fabricate, wrench and (recently) tune for food and mortgage money. I already wish I had more space and more time.
It's not bad. Just remember that people really like creating problems with mismatched bullshit and then bring it to you to fix. Learn how to tell them what's really gonna happen without kicking their puppy and it'll be alright.
It's not bad. Just remember that people really like creating problems with mismatched bullshit and then bring it to you to fix. Learn how to tell them what's really gonna happen without kicking their puppy and it'll be alright.
Sounds like solid advice, too many cams bought based on desired idle sound
TECH Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 22,291
Likes: 3,615
From: Central Cal.
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Surprise and refreshing thread. Very seldom can someone find the dream job that pays well, in the field he wants, low stress and has a well recognized product. I did run across a guy that was sport fishing for a living and was paid 6 figures to do it. Rare, very rare. At some point you will have to deal with the public and that's the rub!
I suppose for my own peace of mind I wanted to add a little more. "Kicking the puppy" is my term for giving people news they don't really want.
Sometimes you have to be really clear on why you want to do something a certain way, or why something costs what it does. Most people consider themselves to be "reasonable" so if you can appeal to their sense of reason without engaging them emotionally you'll end up with a better outcome. Sometimes it's simply a matter of educating your customer. Sometimes they will be so wrapped up in an idea that they will be unable to let go of it, and you can either accommodate or pass on the work (that's another subject---people really don't like you turning down their money!)
Sometimes you have to be really clear on why you want to do something a certain way, or why something costs what it does. Most people consider themselves to be "reasonable" so if you can appeal to their sense of reason without engaging them emotionally you'll end up with a better outcome. Sometimes it's simply a matter of educating your customer. Sometimes they will be so wrapped up in an idea that they will be unable to let go of it, and you can either accommodate or pass on the work (that's another subject---people really don't like you turning down their money!)
hey truckdoug, is this your full time gig now or are you doing it between or along with your other gig? i think you were working as a welder on ships or a foreman... i forget..
if so you've come a ways if you're doing tuning and whatnot now... good for you man
if so you've come a ways if you're doing tuning and whatnot now... good for you man
Yessir on my own full time now. No more shipyard for me, my body couldn't take working outside in the weather anymore.
I hear they're hiring a lot of dual shield welders up in Ketchikan right now if you know of anybody impervious to pain and misery
I hear they're hiring a lot of dual shield welders up in Ketchikan right now if you know of anybody impervious to pain and misery
Teching In
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
From: Dallas, TX
I'm an engineer for a company that builds parts and cars. I love it. Been doing it for about nine years. But having good customers and working on challenging projects keeps it fresh.
Before this I was an engineer for Boeing on the Space Station contract. Exciting, but the government tends to sap the fun out of things.
Before this I was an engineer for Boeing on the Space Station contract. Exciting, but the government tends to sap the fun out of things.
TECH Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 22,291
Likes: 3,615
From: Central Cal.
I swear most military types I've dealt with on jobs were robots without emotion encoded in their programming. I did some work for a government contract company and the entire place was that way. I couldn't finish the project fast enough!
Doug, you make some really good points about the WHY of what you're doing and what the outcome will be. I try to educate my customers so they understand what they are getting and what they can expect from me before they bring the car to me.
People do get weird when you turn down their work but sometimes it's best for all involved. I quoted a guy a fair price for a swap once and he said guy x in a cool looking shop quoted him less and gave me a rundown. I explained how many people cut corners on engine swaps and where some corners could be cut to meet the price he was quoted. He insisted my price was too high so I told him if initial cost was his biggest driver, take it to the other guy because I can't beat that price. The guy works on the bait and switch tactic for pricing. Between transport costs and "upgrades," repairs or items that weren't considered in the initial build that will need to be purchased, his end cost would be higher.
I don't slam people's reputation so I didn't tell him I had seen and repaired work from the guy he was considering using and most I know would consider the guy a hack.
Doug, you make some really good points about the WHY of what you're doing and what the outcome will be. I try to educate my customers so they understand what they are getting and what they can expect from me before they bring the car to me.
People do get weird when you turn down their work but sometimes it's best for all involved. I quoted a guy a fair price for a swap once and he said guy x in a cool looking shop quoted him less and gave me a rundown. I explained how many people cut corners on engine swaps and where some corners could be cut to meet the price he was quoted. He insisted my price was too high so I told him if initial cost was his biggest driver, take it to the other guy because I can't beat that price. The guy works on the bait and switch tactic for pricing. Between transport costs and "upgrades," repairs or items that weren't considered in the initial build that will need to be purchased, his end cost would be higher.
I don't slam people's reputation so I didn't tell him I had seen and repaired work from the guy he was considering using and most I know would consider the guy a hack.
Maintenance mechanic pays the bills but turning wrenches outside of work helps pay for my hotrod hobby. I usually do little jobs but recently got the chance to help throw a road race car together. While it was a lot of fun I don’t think I could do it for a living unless you can be in the right mind set or keep doing different things to keep from burned out.
Two thumbs up to Doug if you can pay the bills and still enjoy it.
Two thumbs up to Doug if you can pay the bills and still enjoy it.