I'm not mobile, but I have been looking at simplifying my setup. Hate hunting through toolbox drawers around stuff I hardly ever use trying to find something. Videos like this help a lot.
This was a great video, I am a full fledged mechanic and am looking to operate on the weekends with what tools I can squeeze home so this was some good info!
when i started only had screwdrivers lol, began learning simple oil change, then brakes, cause mechanics were charging alot so i bought tools and a car repair book, did suspensions later, also would go to junkyards and practice, save money and would also sell parts like emblems hub caps and superchargers, years later its helped me save a ton of money on the fleet of cars i have now. great video
That’s the best way about it. And as probability goes, most would do better taking on small jobs and staying there. (Alternators, starters, plugs, brakes). Easier and more profit then motor swaps and big jobs. 👍
New subscriber! Thanks for bringing us along! Great kit. Look into getting yourself a "slug wrench" "striking wrench". Normally they're large boxed end wrenches, but you can buy them with a 1/2" male end for sockets. Life changer for front end work! If you can, you could make one from a 5/8 × 1 15/8 flat bar, a small impact adaptor and some good welding... did I mention its a life changer?... lol. Love your basic kit.
The thing about being a mechanic is a lot of people feel like you have to scam the customer like charging them for a tool you need. It’s just insane to me and it’s why we all started working on our own cars. So please fellas. Don’t become the mechanic you hated
Very well thought out minimalist set up for the mobile mechanic. Also a good start for further paring down for an individuals emergency kit in their vehicles. Mostly a paring down of the tool box contents. One thing I don't think I saw was an adjustable (aka "Crescent") wrench. Seems like that might be good.
Yes, I think I stepped away from carrying one for a while. Needed one for a fan clutch though. I will make a video for an emergency kit. First aid and tools etc. :)
I run pretty much all this except the diagnostic tools if it needs diagnostics done then I either load it on a trailer and bring it to my shop or advise the customer to get diagnostic work performed by someone else
I started with a 94 accord wagon. :). So much easier then a trunk. But that’s why I set up my truck the way I did. My next consideration was a ford transit connect, kind of small, but I don’t like big jobs anymore. I decided to focus on smaller jobs and diagnosis repairs.
I worked with a lot of factory trained service writers, I came into it green, 17 years ago, and just kept working at different shops doing menial jobs. Some of the guys trusted me with larger jobs, and I gained the confidence needed to push myself and educate myself more. It’s a total collaboration between myself, shops, other mechanics, and the parts guys at O’Reilly.
Hi Sir. Great video. It's really not a lot of stuff to haul around but I bet your always refining your list of every day carry stuff. I was curious if you use any repair software such as identifix ,Mitchell online etc? You work on so many different things it seems impossible to know them all. I have seen in other videos you use your obd2 scanner for basic stuff and was wondering how many expansion packs you utilize with this scanner? I searched for the cheapest and most powerful scan tool that I could justify and ended up with the Autel MD808 Pro. It doesn't have bidirectional controls but will scan abs,srs,epb,battery resets and scans multiple modules. I haven't even scratched the surface of the full capabilities of this scan tool and look forward to seeing you utilize your scanner and diagnose some interesting problems in your future videos. All repairs from basic brake work to complex head gaskets and etc are all very informative. Interesting and informative to watch. Thanks!
I have been redefining my toolbox, every 6 months or so. I like to keep unused tools at home, so I don’t have too heavy a setup for my little truck. In the shops I have worked at in the past, they utilized Mitchell, and identifix. I do not employ those services, but do utilize google, and labor guide for repair hang ups. If needed, coding can be diagnosed through O’Reilly . They have identifix I believe. Which gives the most likely repair per code you are experiencing. However: not all codes are equal, and diagnosing as a mechanic is slightly different than diagnosing as a technician. I see things from more of a reverse engineering standpoint and concider myself a mechanic. (Semantics aside), I love a good puzzle, and love to find difficult to diagnose issues. I don’t like crawling under a BMW X5 and replacing a transmission, even though that’s my plan for next week. On the scanner end of things, it’s really a level up, to need bi-directional controls. Having access to numerous modules and being able to interpret data streams is sometimes more relevant. I have been wanting to make a video of this particular scanner, and now that I have a vehicle with obd2 and better recording and audio equipment, I will probably just go ahead and push that out tonight or tomorrow. ;)
Should never charge the customer for a tool you didn't have. Its not their fault you didn't come prepared. They could have called someone better equipped.
So, I use a standard carry on propane torch, although I suppose map gas burns hotter. And FREE ALL, as opposed to pb blaster or Wd40. I had a vice on the tailgate of my truck, but have been without for a year. I will be putting it back, it makes a lot of jobs easier. .
Not my forte, feel unorganized every time I pull up to a job. But, my engine is ready for pickup, so hopefully I’ll get the truck run before New Years.
Say you needed to pull a balancer off a Ls or Chrysler I can go on and on your going to bust your ass with that and not to mention your body is going to go to shit in a few yrs .Get your clients an old lift and a small rented bay and charge accordingly. Trust me I loved being the hero Johnny on the spot .You won't get anywhere but aggravated, I give your work ethic a 100 but take my advice.Get an wrecker with a wheel lift and kill it.
If a mobile tech came to my house and told me he didn’t have the right wrench size and that I would have to pay for the tool or half the price of the tool the job ends immediately YOURE FIRED! Unacceptable don’t ever sucker a customer into buying you a wrench that you should of already had before you took the job on.
Yep, cause EVERY single mobile mechanic has EVERY single tool that could possibly be needed on all the diversities of all these Fucked Up German cars. And again, you should read all the comments before you chime in maybe? You all keep misunderstanding what I actually meant by those statements, SOOOO, today’s video will hopefully clarify what that statement was all about.
Bmw requires a specialty tool that cost $800 dollars. As a small shop, you let the customer know that you dont have the specialty tool,, and add it to the estimate. If the customer wants to buy the tool instead of going to the dealer, then they will. In the end they probably will give you the tool because they dont need it, and your their new mechanic anyway. So i stand with my decision.
A mechanic that ends up doing more brake jobs but doesn't show a set of flare wrenches or any brake tools other than a caliper spreader... sketchy I'm guessing over priced pad swaps are your specialty
First, I don’t do pad swaps. I do the job right and replace all the hardware needed (always new rotors), and grease the slide pin. Second, if you knew how to use your tools right, you would know what you need and what tools you don’t need. I’m mobile and don’t have room for a roller box of useless strap-on tools that no one is ever going to use more than once.
@@MechanicalTriage you could work out of a backpack for all I care... you said you do mostly brakes, yet I saw no drum brake tools, no file, no flare nut wrenches, no impact hex sockets and no caliper tool for pushing in newer style caliper pistons... let alone a spare roll of copper brake line, pipe cutter/deburring tool or flare tool kit with extra union's or fittings... as for the whole sh#tting on snap-on tools goes, I said nothing bad about your dollar store toolset!
Let me back up a step or two, and correct myself. Copper line and deburring tools: great for a shop setup, however, if needed, I would buy a prefabricated line and bend it to fit. Because it’s not so much a custom job, as a functional job. Brake tools, like flare wrenches, and drum tools.. yes, those are definitely handy. I have a spring tool, but I feel it’s easier to deal with a couple nice pair of pliers and pry bars to make things cooperate. I usually take the head off the caliper tool and use it compress while turning with pliers, as long as you don’t damage the seal. However, this is quite an old video, and I have retooled a couple vehicles and setups since then. I still only lug around 300 pounds of tools total, but have a nice caliper turning set and a nice assortment of files and such. I could benefit from a set of flare end wrenches, because you only have to strip one brake line and it’s a two day job.
@@MechanicalTriage to be fair to you, I haven't seen any of your other videos just this one, let alone look at its age... wasn't trying to be a d*ck but I keep seeing mobile mechanic videos on here from people that are ill-equiped at best I am not one of those snap-on snobs.. I have a handful of tools off of tool trucks but most my stuff is from Harbor Freight including my single bay rolling box and top
I'm not mobile, but I have been looking at simplifying my setup. Hate hunting through toolbox drawers around stuff I hardly ever use trying to find something. Videos like this help a lot.
This was a great video, I am a full fledged mechanic and am looking to operate on the weekends with what tools I can squeeze home so this was some good info!
Good info bro when I watch your videos I feel like a mechanic lol😂🤘
Fantastic video good job all the best Shaun the mechanic
I like this
when i started only had screwdrivers lol, began learning simple oil change, then brakes, cause mechanics were charging alot so i bought tools and a car repair book, did suspensions later, also would go to junkyards and practice, save money and would also sell parts like emblems hub caps and superchargers, years later its helped me save a ton of money on the fleet of cars i have now. great video
That’s the best way about it. And as probability goes, most would do better taking on small jobs and staying there. (Alternators, starters, plugs, brakes). Easier and more profit then motor swaps and big jobs. 👍
New subscriber! Thanks for bringing us along! Great kit.
Look into getting yourself a "slug wrench" "striking wrench". Normally they're large boxed end wrenches, but you can buy them with a 1/2" male end for sockets. Life changer for front end work! If you can, you could make one from a 5/8 × 1 15/8 flat bar, a small impact adaptor and some good welding... did I mention its a life changer?... lol. Love your basic kit.
Great info.
Nice set up you have going on seems to be working out for you and that's what matters the most
The thing about being a mechanic is a lot of people feel like you have to scam the customer like charging them for a tool you need. It’s just insane to me and it’s why we all started working on our own cars. So please fellas. Don’t become the mechanic you hated
Very well thought out minimalist set up for the mobile mechanic. Also a good start for further paring down for an individuals emergency kit in their vehicles. Mostly a paring down of the tool box contents. One thing I don't think I saw was an adjustable (aka "Crescent") wrench. Seems like that might be good.
Yes, I think I stepped away from carrying one for a while. Needed one for a fan clutch though.
I will make a video for an emergency kit. First aid and tools etc. :)
Nice set up Bro, I’m copied a lot of your ideas, thank you so much for the video
Thank you for watching. :)
I run pretty much all this except the diagnostic tools if it needs diagnostics done then I either load it on a trailer and bring it to my shop or advise the customer to get diagnostic work performed by someone else
I like using old gas cans or water cans for used oil no spill
I worked out of a 83 civic wagon years ago now out of 97 chevy c2500 .
I started with a 94 accord wagon. :). So much easier then a trunk. But that’s why I set up my truck the way I did. My next consideration was a ford transit connect, kind of small, but I don’t like big jobs anymore. I decided to focus on smaller jobs and diagnosis repairs.
I'm really enjoying some of your videos, thank you! I was wondering where you gained your knowledge of mechanics?
I worked with a lot of factory trained service writers, I came into it green, 17 years ago, and just kept working at different shops doing menial jobs. Some of the guys trusted me with larger jobs, and I gained the confidence needed to push myself and educate myself more. It’s a total collaboration between myself, shops, other mechanics, and the parts guys at O’Reilly.
Like the intro
Where ya been?
Mechanical Triage trying to dodge rain and paint. It’s been horrible.
👍👍
Hi Sir. Great video. It's really not a lot of stuff to haul around but I bet your always refining your list of every day carry stuff. I was curious if you use any repair software such as identifix ,Mitchell online etc? You work on so many different things it seems impossible to know them all. I have seen in other videos you use your obd2 scanner for basic stuff and was wondering how many expansion packs you utilize with this scanner? I searched for the cheapest and most powerful scan tool that I could justify and ended up with the Autel MD808 Pro. It doesn't have bidirectional controls but will scan abs,srs,epb,battery resets and scans multiple modules. I haven't even scratched the surface of the full capabilities of this scan tool and look forward to seeing you utilize your scanner and diagnose some interesting problems in your future videos. All repairs from basic brake work to complex head gaskets and etc are all very informative. Interesting and informative to watch. Thanks!
I have been redefining my toolbox, every 6 months or so. I like to keep unused tools at home, so I don’t have too heavy a setup for my little truck.
In the shops I have worked at in the past, they utilized Mitchell, and identifix. I do not employ those services, but do utilize google, and labor guide for repair hang ups. If needed, coding can be diagnosed through O’Reilly . They have identifix I believe. Which gives the most likely repair per code you are experiencing. However: not all codes are equal, and diagnosing as a mechanic is slightly different than diagnosing as a technician.
I see things from more of a reverse engineering standpoint and concider myself a mechanic.
(Semantics aside), I love a good puzzle, and love to find difficult to diagnose issues. I don’t like crawling under a BMW X5 and replacing a transmission, even though that’s my plan for next week. On the scanner end of things, it’s really a level up, to need bi-directional controls. Having access to numerous modules and being able to interpret data streams is sometimes more relevant.
I have been wanting to make a video of this particular scanner, and now that I have a vehicle with obd2 and better recording and audio equipment, I will probably just go ahead and push that out tonight or tomorrow. ;)
Should never charge the customer for a tool you didn't have. Its not their fault you didn't come prepared. They could have called someone better equipped.
In most cases that would be the dealer, and maybe you misunderstood the direction I was going with that also.
its alright if the customer keeps the tool, if not maybe charge him like 25% of the cost of the tool
If I don't have a tool for the job then I buy one so I have it for next time. Tools pay for themselves.
What do you use for heat on some bolts and do you carry a vice
So, I use a standard carry on propane torch, although I suppose map gas burns hotter.
And FREE ALL, as opposed to pb blaster or Wd40.
I had a vice on the tailgate of my truck, but have been without for a year. I will be putting it back, it makes a lot of jobs easier. .
Commend you for working out of a trunk
Not my forte, feel unorganized every time I pull up to a job. But, my engine is ready for pickup, so hopefully I’ll get the truck run before New Years.
What did the chain on your right wrist come from?
2010 audi 2.0
Say you needed to pull a balancer off a Ls or Chrysler I can go on and on your going to bust your ass with that and not to mention your body is going to go to shit in a few yrs .Get your clients an old lift and a small rented bay and charge accordingly. Trust me I loved being the hero Johnny on the spot .You won't get anywhere but aggravated, I give your work ethic a 100 but take my advice.Get an wrecker with a wheel lift and kill it.
2:24
If a mobile tech came to my house and told me he didn’t have the right wrench size and that I would have to pay for the tool or half the price of the tool the job ends immediately YOURE FIRED! Unacceptable don’t ever sucker a customer into buying you a wrench that you should of already had before you took the job on.
Yep, cause EVERY single mobile mechanic has EVERY single tool that could possibly be needed on all the diversities of all these Fucked Up German cars. And again, you should read all the comments before you chime in maybe? You all keep misunderstanding what I actually meant by those statements, SOOOO, today’s video will hopefully clarify what that statement was all about.
Charge customer for tools no that's what you spend your profit on tools you don't have
Bmw requires a specialty tool that cost $800 dollars. As a small shop, you let the customer know that you dont have the specialty tool,, and add it to the estimate. If the customer wants to buy the tool instead of going to the dealer, then they will. In the end they probably will give you the tool because they dont need it, and your their new mechanic anyway. So i stand with my decision.
You forgot masks. 😂
For what? I’m not cutting wood or painting. 🙃
A mechanic that ends up doing more brake jobs but doesn't show a set of flare wrenches or any brake tools other than a caliper spreader... sketchy I'm guessing over priced pad swaps are your specialty
First, I don’t do pad swaps. I do the job right and replace all the hardware needed (always new rotors), and grease the slide pin. Second, if you knew how to use your tools right, you would know what you need and what tools you don’t need.
I’m mobile and don’t have room for a roller box of useless strap-on tools that no one is ever going to use more than once.
@@MechanicalTriage you could work out of a backpack for all I care... you said you do mostly brakes, yet I saw no drum brake tools, no file, no flare nut wrenches, no impact hex sockets and no caliper tool for pushing in newer style caliper pistons... let alone a spare roll of copper brake line, pipe cutter/deburring tool or flare tool kit with extra union's or fittings... as for the whole sh#tting on snap-on tools goes, I said nothing bad about your dollar store toolset!
Let me back up a step or two, and correct myself.
Copper line and deburring tools: great for a shop setup, however, if needed, I would buy a prefabricated line and bend it to fit. Because it’s not so much a custom job, as a functional job.
Brake tools, like flare wrenches, and drum tools.. yes, those are definitely handy. I have a spring tool, but I feel it’s easier to deal with a couple nice pair of pliers and pry bars to make things cooperate.
I usually take the head off the caliper tool and use it compress while turning with pliers, as long as you don’t damage the seal.
However, this is quite an old video, and I have retooled a couple vehicles and setups since then. I still only lug around 300 pounds of tools total, but have a nice caliper turning set and a nice assortment of files and such.
I could benefit from a set of flare end wrenches, because you only have to strip one brake line and it’s a two day job.
@@MechanicalTriage to be fair to you, I haven't seen any of your other videos just this one, let alone look at its age... wasn't trying to be a d*ck but I keep seeing mobile mechanic videos on here from people that are ill-equiped at best
I am not one of those snap-on snobs.. I have a handful of tools off of tool trucks but most my stuff is from Harbor Freight including my single bay rolling box and top