Gunny

Was minding my own business at restaurant when a table full of woodworkers were arguing about tool storage. One saw my ASE patch on my shirt and inquired on my thoughts. If you don't like my answer maybe don't ask? They were focused on putting wrenches on pegboard hooks. On the wall. Wasteful in my opinion. You already have a toolbox. Organize them in neat rows and call it a day. What do I know?

Been painting plastic exterior electrical boxes and conduit for neighbors porch. He wants 3 outlets, 2 switches and a light pole.

Prayer sent, few candles too.

And we are off to the races this morning. 4 to get started on right off the bat.

Sink is a definite plus, potty even more so.

Sorry I have not been around much lately, very busy at work and with several large side work projects for 3 different companies. I am currently on a 26-month plan to be able to semi retire in January of 2027. More work now equals 3 days a week in 2027 and more time in shop. In theory anyway.

Happy Birthday 🥳🎂🥳

Had to get new phone this weekend. What a PITA.

What sorcery is this @HandyDan 🤔🙄😆

My neighbor across the street came to ask me about an issue with her vehicle. Just a light on in her dash and it has been at repair place for 2 weeks. They know what is wrong, and gave her an estimate, even have the parts. But they are behind and only have only one technician that can do that type of work. So she was inquiring if I could take it to my shop and get it done faster. Hated to tell her no, because as I left Friday I have 14 cars in my approved to repair box. Honestly have no idea how long any of them have been here, just that parts are here and they are in order to be repaired. Like everyone else we only have couple people at that level to do the work. Why is this? Well technicians are in short supply. Has been this way for 30 years that I have been in this industry. Many reasons exist, flat rate pay system, corporate focus on bottom line labor cost, not quality and depth of ability of technicians. Failure of entire industry to keep technicians trained. Health care typically is more expensive through a dealer/owner/ retail chain than to just buy it yourself. Tools needed are expensive, and with new models you need more special tools. Today's technicians can program your vehicle. Think of all the makes of automobiles you can. Each one of them has its own proprietary software. Each does the same task of providing data, codes, and reprogramming differently. A technician in an independent shop like mine would need to know at least 4 of those to manage most repairs on the vehicles we work on. In my Indeed.com message box I have more than a dozen “offers” for employment. Looking at the first message, $15hr. Really? I made that as a junior technician in 1991. The shop labor rate for this company is $130. So, the technician gets $15 an hour and the company retains $115. These companies can whine all they want but I make substantially more than that per hour. To get me to quit and work for 67% less would require me to have brain damage. For giggles I responded and spoke with a HR person on the phone. Told them that rate is not enough, they will have to do better. Got a rejection letter in the mail. Oddly job posting is still up. Wonder why? McDonald's down the street offers $15, no training, no certifications, no tools required, and they pay hourly, not per job. Companies are willing to pay, but not in this industry. Expect the wait time for repair to get worse people, those like me that have the experience and tooling are available, but we command a better rate that $15-$25hr. A company can pay better and be profitable, I work for one currently. So if an independent shop can do it, dealerships and corporate chains can as well. Societies push since the 1990s to go the path of college and focus on anything but the trades has created this supply shortage. Couple that with deliberately keeping pay rates low, and the public perception that mechanics are monkeys with a wrench we now are reaping the seeds we have planted.

Bringing new technician up to speed on where everything is in shop. Nice to have someone that is interested in repairing vehicles. Last few have been shall we say, amusing and scary all in one.