How Qualified Are You?and Where Did Ya Learn

[nsta]

hey guys, kind of off-topic, but i'd really like to start learning more about automotive in general, and was wondering how most of you got to the stage where you are at now?

Was it by the means of doing a course at uni, or just childhood when you worked on cars with your dad or something, maybe learnt it along the way???

Im seriously thinking about working with the hands on stuff, as im pretty good with theory, but whats theory when you can't put it to practice lol.

Problem being with me, i work 9-5 hours so the only hope i guess with me would be afterhours courses.

i really do think it'll help me in the long run though dont ya think

I understand that in the automotive industry, i wont be able to do it all, im just wanting to learn how to pull out, and put back an engine...Tuning, boring machining i'd probably leave for others, i hope you get what im wanting to learn hands on.

thanks in advice!

Edited February 13, 2006 by nsta

[RBFIRE]

Its a passion i guess,

I started out doing Mechanical Engineering at UNSW, for 2 yrs, Boring ass, all theories. then i work as Mechanic Aprentice for a yr. Now my career diverted to electrical... NOW I be able to fix my car, but if things get complicated or If i dun have the tools to do it, i leave it to workshop, but Mostly normal problem in ran into i try to do it myself. reading car magezine helps! :lol:

working on ur car is the most practical expericences u can get.

my boss told me once "even a 10 yrs old can take things out and put a replacement parts in, but u gota know how it works" so i guess reading and understanding is important.

If ur keen, there always a night course at TAFE...heha :lol: :lol: :lol:

Cheers,

Edited February 13, 2006 by ZXFIRE

[RBFIRE]

i forgot to mention,

I have screwed up alot of fuses and alot of parts,

there always mistakes but it come out alrite. at the end

[nsta]

yeh like i said, im pretty good when it comes to theory, just have not really been able to step up from there, which sucks, i have done small things myself though, installed fmic, air filters, bov's things like that, but nothing too serious.

[Bobjones]

I learnt everything about cars from the old man and his mates. On eof whom was 3 time Australian Pro Stock champ (three years in a ROW mind you)

As it is I work in an office and as such my knowledge and skills have declined, but alas, it all comes down to listening to others. Some TAFE courses are good, but I fail to see the relevance unless you are an apprentice mechanic who HAS to go. 90% of mechanics learn stuff on the job...especially if they work for good mechanics!!!

[SECURITY]

ive learnt everything i know by trial and error, and it helps to have a brother in law who is a mechanic

ever since i was little i used to rip things apart and put them back together, it was only time till i started with cars.

and at the moment im doing an engine rebuild at home so im learning alot as i go. ive got my brother in law to guide me but its definately the best learning experience you could get.

[nsta]

mmm, i've seen some classifieds lately where workshops are hirings guys with little no know real world hands on experience, as it seems that they only need you to have theory based knowledge. So like computers i guess its really hands-on when you learn the most....sorry im in the IT industry and could relate hahah

[nsta]

Hey i was hoping to do a full strip and rebuild myself, my mates a mechanic who could guide me, sure would be the best training i could get, as im so willing to learn! Though i have no point in a rebuild atm, touch wood lol

[Savage Bliss]

Friends, magazines, personal experience, Short tafe courses and of course trial and error. HA!

Look if you feel the need to go to uni, do it! But ask yourself, do you want to work with cars as a hobby or a profession?

There are plenty ways and means to get a wealth of knowledge, just ask around.

[nsta]

nah just as a hobby to work on my own cars, ive learnt alot from just watching and talking to people, though i'd like to start using my hands.

Um what are TAFE courses?i dont think we have those in N.z?

[Savage Bliss]

Non-tertiary course. As in non university courses. A lot cheaper alternative to a uni degree. I did a couple of courses here, both over 8 week periods, and has giving me all I need to do want I to my car.

[nsta]

nice, so kind of like private courses then, ill look into it, thanks, did you do it part time like after hours sort of?

[RBFIRE]

its come down to the TOOLS that u have,

spanner wont fix everything, LOL, thats all i have really! sockets and spaners, :lol:

[nsta]

lol i got a budget sort of set hahah, has done the job for me in the past, but like you said, not really a good TOOL set.

[Savage Bliss]

Yeah courses were done after hours 3 nights a week.

[nsta]

cant find such a course here:( was it hands on course training, or more the theory based stuff, and did ya hav to do apprentice training?

[foznice]

I learnt a little bit from everything I suppose.. I've just started my third year now doing odd jobs at a motor mechanics.. it's great because you can go and learn all the theory from books and internet sites ect ect, and then put what you learn into practice, and hear about about problems that are relevent to what you've learnt.

[nsta]

yeh ive learnt heaps of the internet too, even by reading mags/proper automotive books etc....just sux when you have all this knowledge, but cant put it to the test!

[nsta]

you sound like you done a 3yr automotive course cause over here the 3rd year is where you do volunteering work for mechanics/workshops etc...

[foznice]

nah nah, just did work experience in year 9, came back for an after school job in year 11....

Just being around and seeing what breaks and how it's fixed is a great learning process...

allthough working in the auto industry can be shitty too sometimes... I swear I have a tiny bit of breakdust in the back of my throat after today lol