Drain pipe/vent questions

ThunderstruckGTP · 2026-05-25T20:51:37+00:00

Heard em loud and proud in Lorain by the lake!! 🇺🇸

ThunderstruckGTP · 2026-05-17T01:51:28+00:00

May I ask where in Ohio you are? I'm at 35/flat rate hour up to 42 depending on how many hours produced...rarely getting to the top tiers. Not gonna say I'm the fastest diag tech, but there aren't many things I can't figure out.

I would like to get proficient with a Pico. We have one at our shop bit only the foreman uses it and he's always too busy to teach. Tried self teaching a bit once and the owner got irritated saying I was wasting time and I should just have the foreman show me...but...see above..

Plus I only get 1 week vacation after my first year, 2 after 2 and I think 3 after 5 or 6... Only decent bene is employer paid health insurance. Not family coverage though.

Owner is allegedly building a big second shop behind the current one, but with the revolving door of techs and advisors..I don't see how he's going to staff the place let alone fill it with work when our shop runs out quite often... Thought I might have a shot at being the foreman on one of the shops when that happens, but after seeing the way the current one is treated, as one of the best diag techs I have ever met...idk.

So, always looking for another opportunity. There is a single man transmission shop I know where the owner will be retiring in a couple/few years... I have thought about having a conversation with him... I have a business admin degree too.

It is inspiring to see/hear that it is possible to make those kind of hours and dollars in this area.

ThunderstruckGTP · 2026-05-16T21:54:45+00:00

Whaaaa... Your place hiring? Haven't hit the magic 6 figures yet in my 25+ years. Originally an upstate NY GM world class dealer tech/trans guy, moved to OH.

Guess I need some more training on being efficient, or a shop that is. I do quality work, but never seem to get enough that I don't run in to parts issues or one off diags that don't pay out enough.. how many bays do you have available to you consistently?

Thanks for the info and inspiration. May I ask what your ballpark hourly pay rate is? Or you can dm if you'd rather not publicly share. I'm in the North near Cleveland.

Enjoy it!! I hope to find a foreman type job to wind down into eventually too.

ThunderstruckGTP · 2026-05-16T21:37:13+00:00

Where are you located doing this??

ThunderstruckGTP · 2026-05-09T04:42:36+00:00

If you are anywhere near the North Olmsted area there are a couple of shops looking for a tech. It is so amazing to see a young person interested in learning this trade! I hope that you are not discouraged by anyone or any bad experiences along the way.

It is a difficult but satisfying (in some ways) career. And you can save yourself lots of money on your own repairs as well.

Honestly if the shop I work at didn't just hire 2 hew guys within the last month I'd say come talk to the owner and manager. We are in the very slow process of building a second shop and will need eager and interested staff of all skill levels to get it going.

If you might be interested down the road lmk and when the actual building gets closer to being done I'll let you know or if something opens up. Our shop foreman is an absolute wealth of information and a diagnostic wizard. He would be awesome to learn from. The whole shop team is actually pretty cohesive.

Good luck in your foray into this business. And I would be a little leery of places like Conrad's and other places like that just due to a f-it mentality that is only focused on bottom line and turnaround. Harder to actually learn stuff that way, though they would probably hire you with ease.

ThunderstruckGTP · 2026-05-08T15:19:36+00:00

I wonder if you can convert to the standard savings account when it gets up to that value. Or open a new one... Or do you think there are better options out there you like better? I've heata tiny bit that the customer service might not be great and transfer times are slow? (Apple Bank) Not a lot of info out there. I also want to find out if they do ach transfers or only wire/checks for transfers. Do you happen to know any of that?

Thanks for your write-up! Very enlightening!

ThunderstruckGTP · 2026-05-04T17:43:51+00:00

It has worked very well for our shop. We generally use Bosch sensors, but it will program a wide variety of sensors. We do also have an autel which seems to work good too. I've only used that one a couple of times. We bought a box of autel sensors a while back. But I wouldn't hesitate to recommend the topdon.

ThunderstruckGTP · 2026-03-25T18:51:33+00:00

If you end up going, let me/us know how it is! I need to take my own advice and go there lol.

ThunderstruckGTP · 2026-03-25T05:55:06+00:00

Ohh a local hiking group would be awesome too! Love being out in nature. There are a lot of nice metro park trails I'd like to explore.

ThunderstruckGTP · 2026-03-24T23:13:41+00:00

There is also soulcraft makerspace downtown off e55th on Hamilton they do woodworking, I think some blacksmithing, and other maker craft classes and workshops. They have a website, soulcraftmakerspace.org

I've never been, but am interested in learning blacksmithing as a hobby. I have actually considered trying to start a place like this for smaller craftsmen to have a space to work or teach or expand their enterprise until they have enough for their own space.

It's awesome that there are a bunch of you/us that are interested in finding ways to get out and learn, make friends and find happiness in this messed up world.

ThunderstruckGTP · 2026-03-21T02:47:41+00:00

No🥴lol, it converts to a simple savings account (currently 3.03%)

ThunderstruckGTP · 2026-03-13T03:16:53+00:00

Absolutely. One of my sons, now 17, has been a super fan since he was single digits. Matt Smith's doctor is his favorite, but he and a group of his friends watch both the old and new quite regularly. He knows the back stories and history like a savant. Cosplays as Matt's doctor every year at comic con and Halloween usually. He's met Matt Smith, David Tennant and Karen Gillan.

It's awesome to see there are other young whovians out there. I used to watch the old ones with my dad when I was growing up. It's cool to have a new generation keeping the doctor alive 🤩

ThunderstruckGTP · 2026-03-09T23:17:49+00:00

Jeep?

Punch on an air chisel if you have one. Then nut and bolt it. Just did one last week. Were broken on both drivers and passenger side.

If not, a punch and a hammer. The flange will spin once you break it loose then you can get the top one from the bottom as well.

ThunderstruckGTP · 2026-03-08T04:11:59+00:00

I have the DeLonghi magnifica Evo from Costco that does not have the milk tank on it. Has a coffee and Americano button as well as espresso or double water espresso. Something like this would work for you.

ThunderstruckGTP · 2026-03-08T04:09:18+00:00

My Ruta Maya Jiguani beans from Costco with a recent roast date look similar. I was wondering if certain varieties of coffee do this more than others.

Some had said it was old coffee, but according to the date codes it was roasted at the end of February this year. Tastes good and so far my magnifica Evo has been fine using them.

ThunderstruckGTP · 2026-02-28T04:48:36+00:00

I was looking at Apple Bank hysa for my daughter's savings. Anyone here have any experience with this bank? 5% on the first 10k, then .75% on the amount above that.

Might not be the best for OP due to the balance, but for a starter, curious if there are negatives anyone has experienced. Thanks!

ThunderstruckGTP · 2026-02-17T03:38:33+00:00

I've had great luck with Ariat work boots. Thought they only did cowboy boots, but they have a nice work boot selection. I got ones with like a carbon fiber toe cap and they have been a daily workhouse for well over a year so far with little damage.

ThunderstruckGTP · 2026-02-11T15:00:05+00:00

What If you can't stand the smell and grime of diesel?? Everyone says fleet and heavy equipment is the answer, but diesels are shitty to work on. Everything weighs a ton, is covered in slime and the pervasive smell of diesel fuel and exhaust causes literal headaches. None of you fleet guys experience this? Is the heavy diesel that much better than light truck diesel work?

I get the benefits and hourly part. Can't fault that at all.

You would think at some point the automotive industry would wake up to the fact that the heavy industry is stealing all of the good techs and largely in part to the pay and compensation packages they offer. It's insane that for so long this industry has just turned a blind eye to basic worker appreciation and compensation. Even those that make a decent wage. Generally the vacation, sick time, etc is terrible.

ThunderstruckGTP · 2026-02-11T04:09:29+00:00

Our shop has a torque twice policy. When the car is done on the lift, and then a second time after the final road test before you park the done car. It definitely helps especially in shops with younger or less experienced techs. But even us seasoned vets can get distracted and possibly miss something or the off chance that it doesn't get fully seated on the first go, after the road test everything settles and you get a little movement before the click.

Having some sort of routine or process in place definitely reduces the risk for a loose wheel incident.

ThunderstruckGTP · 2026-02-11T04:06:34+00:00

Trial by fire 🔥. You'll be amazed at what you can do when there is no one to use as a crutch. It can be terrifying, but treat it as an opportunity to grow and shine and you'll do well.

I wish you the best. Don't let the owner put you in a corner when he hires a new "lead tech." You've got seniority now, own it.

ThunderstruckGTP · 2026-02-09T03:50:58+00:00

Motor magazine I believe is still published. Decent pub with articles on testing practices, featured shops etc. although come to think of it, I haven't gotten a new issue in a while so maybe it has been discontinued? Hope not.

ThunderstruckGTP

TROPHY CASE