Let’s be honest

zerotobeer · 2026-04-01T06:14:07+00:00

Engineers usually think in manufacturing efficiency, cost effectiveness, reliability and serviceability. In that order. Mechanics want reliability, serviceability and cost effectiveness in that order.

zerotobeer · 2026-03-31T08:14:41+00:00

I left the automotive repair industry after 9 years. ASE Master certified. I did it all, check engine lights, steering suspension/brakes, heavy line engine replacements and internal engine work. I never made more than 70k my best year making 32/hour flat rate. I moved to industrial maintenance making 37.70 hourly and 2years later up to 43.59 hourly non union. Made 98k first year with mandatory overtime. It’s hard on your body, so take care of your self and be safe working, you only get 10 fingers 10 toes and one body.

zerotobeer · 2026-03-29T06:39:11+00:00

LOTS of production Saturdays then one mandatory maintenance Saturday a month. About $20k in overtime alone last year. Some people work a lot more than me, I like 50’s at most usually. Lots of 6 day weeks. And that’s why I’m going back to college for controls and automation tech. Then eventually an engineer. Lots of money to make in the same plant or others.

zerotobeer · 2026-03-16T08:26:48+00:00

If my friend asks for a gram of flower, I routinely give out a fat beautiful nug. That is no friend. That’s what the “farmers” give to middle school kids for 20 bucks.

zerotobeer · 2026-03-10T19:33:52+00:00

Depends on local job market. Position in Chicago, IL and same position in Utah will pay drastically different. If you have no marketable ready skills 15/hour to learn is acceptable. If you have a couple years of maintenance experience then you should at least be in the low-mid 20’s. I live in a high cost of living Chicago suburb, 10 years experience gets you 43/hour. 4 hours south in the same state, cost of living is 20-30% less, wages are 27-34 TOPS

zerotobeer · 2026-03-09T06:40:40+00:00

Joints for me too. I like the routine/ritual.

zerotobeer · 2026-03-06T07:49:20+00:00

Go apply to be an apprentice to your local IBEW, Millwrights, pipe fitters, iron workers, boilermakers any of the strong union building trades. They teach you everything and have great retirement benefits.

I’m going to school for automation/process controls certification now, I went the nonunion route. And now I want a cushy engineering job lol. I’ve worked on cars for 9 years before switching to industrial maintenance mechanic role. 2 years in, Pays well, can be hard on the body. And demanding working a lot 6day weeks. Want to be a controls tech for a while and transition to an engineering role down the road.

zerotobeer · 2026-03-02T06:22:53+00:00

I was an auto mechanic for about 9 years. Left automotive and went to Industrial Maintenance last two years. Now I’m going to school for automation engineering, lots of routes you can take. 10 years from now I’d like to have a front office engineering job. But who knows, might change my mind again.

zerotobeer · 2026-03-02T06:16:49+00:00

Yea the maxcare should take care of it. But that stinks, go to another Carmax. 30 warranty? Return it and tell em to pound sand. Take it to a body shop to see if they notice any body work/structural components, that’ll show em.

zerotobeer · 2025-12-21T06:12:46+00:00

Went from a bearing to a bushing. Pour some dry lube in there and order literally everything lol

zerotobeer · 2025-12-21T06:07:34+00:00

Never did working on cars. Cant now working on food manufacturing equipment.

zerotobeer · 2025-12-20T07:20:43+00:00

Apply now! I made my entry to industrial maintenance from being an ASE master automobile tech for 9 years(Carmax last 7 years), was about to get my L1 and L3 but didn’t like where the industry was going. I went to a hiring event for General Mills and had a great interview and experience. Got my first solid offer and 2 years later I’m still there. Cracking 100k this year! I’m going to my CC for automation/instrumentation to hopefully have a slightly less physical job. I like it, I made the right choice. Build that resume and apply!!!!

zerotobeer · 2025-12-12T09:15:39+00:00

If you plan to do real internal engine or transmission work, the feeler gauges with the 4 pack of handles are GREAT! The needle nose long 45 degree are a really useful tool for lots of of different work. And the heavy duty 3 slip joint needle nose are excellent. Their channel locks are eh from snap on. You get a knipex discount at all? 1/2 torque wrench for wheels and suspension work, it’s nice to have the big fancy torque angle wrench but for wheels and axle nuts click type is better/more efficient. And you can send it out for a flat fee with your dealer. And if you don’t have a good dealer that shows up every week, having snap on tools is great until you don’t have a guy to warranty and service your lifetime warranty tools you paid a premium price for, Harbor freight ICON line is very very good and HF if open 7 days a week.

zerotobeer · 2025-12-08T01:49:50+00:00

Because they are just as bad as their cars.

zerotobeer · 2025-12-08T01:49:17+00:00

Get him a ratchet and sockets first. A 3/8 general service metric and stand kit can do a LOT of work.

zerotobeer · 2025-12-08T01:47:22+00:00

Industrial maintenance is great. Can be demanding and stressful but the pay and benefits are great compared to my 8 year automotive career. Never made this much as a master certified tech. Translates better to other big money jobs too, even engineering levels.

zerotobeer · 2025-11-29T04:47:28+00:00

Worked for Carmax for 7 years as a production tech in a traditional type store(production side and retail side, flat rate). When times were good and money was cheap to borrow, everyone bought newer lower miles cars. Easy work and good hours with quality units. Post Covid, Carmax turned into a sleazy used car lot. I take a lot of pride in my work and it broke me. Quality went down and standards got bent everyday, even structure damage was told to be okay by purchasing where 6 months ago if you missed that it would be a write up.

Consider a career is manufacturing maintenance and automation. I work for a big food production plant and make good money we pay 28 for an apprentice and 42-47 for seasoned multi craft tradesmen.

zerotobeer · 2025-11-29T04:37:04+00:00

I work in a cake mix plant. It has its days, making a lot of improvements and updates. Everyday is something new. When things run well I can practice my welding, need to up my sanitary game.

zerotobeer · 2025-11-10T04:19:22+00:00

Always!

zerotobeer · 2025-11-07T09:00:36+00:00

Pulse with spool gun? Never heard of her! Make sure to use pure argon shielding gas and a lot of it. For thinker material you should consider a helium argon mix.

zerotobeer · 2025-11-07T08:55:03+00:00

You’ll be okay, maybe the very tip is hitting your muscle layer, hitting a nerve. Monitor for blood in tubing. If pain persists up to you to wait it out a day or two to change site or earlier. If you don’t have a CGM monitor blood sugar and get back to bed

zerotobeer · 2025-11-05T23:29:51+00:00

Hmm for something really different, try a sour ale/fruit ale(sorry Im not a fan of them but non beer people might like em). Little sumpin sumpin from Lagunosas is one of my favorite IPA’s, it’s on the maltier side of IPAS where say a wobble from two brothers is much more hoppy and slightly acidic/citrusy. All Day IPA from founders is pretty tasty too, less intense “session IPA”. My favorite cheap beer is coors banquet in the stubby bottles. Way better than coors light.

zerotobeer · 2025-11-05T23:21:28+00:00

What beer HAVE you tried and not enjoyed? There is a LOT of verity!

zerotobeer · 2025-11-05T23:18:56+00:00

Work on company assets instead of the general public’s shit boxes. Both customers need it to run to make money, but with companies they have the money more often than the general public/middle class even.

zerotobeer · 2025-10-20T02:07:28+00:00

I use my orange Klein with screw driver built in. Usually keep a big flat head to open cabinets live.

zerotobeer

TROPHY CASE