Things I wish I knew before becoming a mechanic, 243pc Gearwrench 4yr Review & Cool Tool of the Week

[@johnmartin2079]

You told the truth about this career and 40 yrs in everything that was air operated became cordless.if I had chosen plumber or electrician i would own two vans and had two.young people doing the work.

[@foodskewed9197]

Been in this business 20 years. Still spend 200 a week on tools. But I’m at the point where I think about every purchase. When I was greener, I bought a lot of stuff I didn’t use right away, but use them now

[@jamesupton143]

Tub-o-towels cleaned up some tools I've had for close to 25 years. Good stuff. Tekton is a good starting set. They have a great warranty system. 10% back in account credit.

[@RenegadesGarage]

Justin Dow.. I know exactly what you mean about the friends and family thing. It's funny you mentioned it. I had my own shop in the 90's and my friends and family would not bring their vehicles to the shop. They said "oh if we take it to your shop it would cost money" so they brought them to my house and expected me to work on them at home for free. Oh wait, I rebuilt Chevy 350 in my home garage but they did pay..... A freaking carton of cigarettes..

[@rustystubbs242]

Exactly right. I clued in after 8 years and got out. Best decision ever and never looked back.

[@hp7093]

A good mechanic is gold. It’s unbelievable a dealership will ****** on a good mechanic. My best friend is over a marine service shop. If you think good auto mechanic are hard to find. That’s nothing compared to what the marine shops face

[@semitrailertechnician4926]

My advise is to work on a family owned fleet. I've seen a good amount of people come from dealers and independent shop that love working on fleets. I've spent last 18 years working for 2 ma and pop trucking companies and if I had to work for dealers or independents I would get out of the industry.

[@NewJerseyTom]

Justin, love your videos. With the price of alcohol and smoking, we have to cut all back and think about our family... New Jersey taxes are crazy. A 30 pack is $35. A pack of cigarettes is 11.75.

[@I_Died_2_Weeks_Ago]

Wine is cheap as hell in Cali - Justin just needs to switch to wine. Liberty Creek Sweet Red is the bomb. 😂🍷

[@BillyBob-op6lg]

30 pack of beer?? 45$?? Ain’t no way

[@NewJerseyTom]

@@BillyBob-op6lg sorry 35 mic ultra at a Lil Indian place.

[@BillyBob-op6lg]

@@NewJerseyTom that’s still crazy high

[@keithnoyb7487]

I definitely wish you could be a self employed mobile mechanic service like myself. Be the master of your own ship..but it's a lot of work and expensive as well..

[@FatdaddysGarage]

Tub o Towels are fantastic.

[@mph5896]

I pretty much exclusively use impact sockets for everything now. 1/4", 3/8". Chrome stuff collects dust.

[@jwctech]

100% true justin...clean things up before trade in or resale...u will get much better offers when items look new / clean, than dirty and beat up..

[@RobertCiampa9112]

My Father killed himself working on family/"friends" cars on the weekend with 0 appreciation,.

[@zachliter619]

I remember when you got the gearwrench set

[@TalkinTools]

I just picked up a Tub-o-towels recently for the first time and my mind was blown at how clean I can get all of my stuff now. My 6 year old 1/2" Milwaukee impact and some pliers I've had for 10+ years looked almost new.

[@KenMrKLC]

Those bearing packers are cool, and pretty inexpensive.... I remember when I first got one back in like 1996 when I was a mechanic they were the thing to have... Crazy not much has changed. But back then brake jobs involved bearing repack way more than nowadays

[@rockstarfan886]

Sir because of your video on the 243 pc gearwrench set i went out and bought one days after that video posted i keep it in my car its saved my ass more then once cheers

[@YuoGotOwn3d]

Thank you for another video. 2 videos in 24 hours 😊

[@shawnhartigan5014]

Have missed you bro keep up the hard work man

[@justinhayward5027]

I laughed my ass off man when you said “you get a productivity sheet every week and it shows you how much you suck at life” lmao real shit being said in this vid.

[@gtcam723]

Chrome chipping is a no go where I work. FOD is absolutely a no-go.

[@jimhaines8370]

The Gearwrench st is a great value I have one at home and use it all the time

[@MikeB92]

I got the craftsman set of that style, I like it so far, only use it at home though.

[@76Starship]

good insights, man. :)

[@RobertCiampa9112]

I had a "40 hour guarantee" After a month of really bad warranty work that was it for me.

[@theredfive]

As a prior Technician of 15 years, everything you said up-to the tool review is gospel. Those Icon ratchet wrenches really hold up in a pro setting? been wondering if they were a sold buy? At my last garage I was offered a sign on bonus, I asked to exchange it for a toolbox from harbor freight (icon series). Man was it worth it! the powder coat is less then desirable, but plenty of room and very sturdy. I highly recommend them for anyone. Locks are good, drawers are durable and hold plenty of weight. The new models are even better. I would suggest for any "newbie" make the jump. 12k for a midsize toolbox from a tool truck is just too much. Certain things" just have to come off the truck" its inevitable, but simple stuff (sockets screw drivers and odds and ends) can be bought at big box stores like Lowes, Home Depot, Harbour Freight, Northern tool, Walmart so-on. With great warranties too! Thanks Justin! From one Vet to another. #13B .Hooah.

[@Stonehands75]

I hear what you’re clucking big chicken. I have been a tech at a boat dealership (same location) since 1998 and you think you have friends that want to wrench on cars for free just try the marine side and wow some people get really butt sore when you want some jingle instead of an icy cold one. Love the videos keep them coming

[@scottcpan68]

When I was a mechanic I did a lot of side work and made some good money. However, I probably did just as much work on family and friends cars for free. At one point I was working like 80 hours per week and it really burned me out. That's one of the reasons I changed careers.

[@magnumjohnson9628]

What do you do now?

[@ihavethedocuments2580]

570 for a gear wrench set? Holy cow, I watched your video review of that kit. Gear wrench just got popular, I think they charge it because they can get it now. At the end of the day they are simply a more refined Husky or duralast. All good hand tools in my opinion.

[@BillyBob-op6lg]

Perfectly said, just a flashier husky or duralast or craftsman etc

[@I_Died_2_Weeks_Ago]

My favorite Gearwrench tools are: flex head ratchets, double joint long reach pliers, jumbo picks, and their extractor sockets. I'll always have GW flex heads unless someone else can beat them on their slim design.

[@richardbates2367]

Yes gearwrench long handle new handle design is the set I have but I definitely like the long picks

[@richardbates2367]

Lang I believe is the original manufacturer of the ratcheting brake caliper piston tool!!

[@TheFlick175]

I became an aircraft mechanic, its pretty cool I gotta say

[@julian-cv4em]

What's the process for that? Probably a tech school no? I find that very interesting because I love the idea of working on cars but I though about being a pilot at one point. What are the pros and cons?

[@davidpinnix7446]

Ask a doctor if he will take a case of beer for payment! Thanks

[@StrongerThanBigfoot]

Now I know where I left my flashlight it's gone LOL been there so many times

[@joedirt1712]

Nice

[@coexist1018]

My gear wrench 1/4 ratchet be locking up

[@user-gh5if5oo2f]

I think they since updated the 242 piece You should review that

[@jarvisruthven6909]

Ever consider fleet or county/city employment as mechanic? Job security, good benefits, and consistent pay

[@Mattb843]

Ever gonna do a tool box tour?

[@I_Died_2_Weeks_Ago]

He'll have to film it at the Pawn shop because he sold everything 😂

[@richardbates2367]

Are you driving a obs Ford truck Justin sir?!

[@jimfeaster4837]

All fields of work have expenses and related... I know I have regrets!

[@foodskewed9197]

And that’s why I don’t do side work. I’ll help people out and that’s it. If I offer to help, I’m doing it for free and because I want to

[@derricklear7148]

How do I find a mobile gearwrench distributor in my area that can come to our shop? Charlotte NC

[@NewJerseyTom]

I avoid Temptation... Figuring out What tools I borrow from the higher up?.. Making smart choices working out of a small tool cart.. 0 debt for the past 15 years.... Not saying I'm a better mechanic just saying... Everybody work smarter, not harder.... If you borrow a man, tool 3 or 4 times write down, do research..get that tool don't go in det

[@jacksautorepair]

The 1/2 inch drive is the most underused tools in auto and light truck repair. Most anything under a car or truck and motor mounts brake caliper brackets whenever a 1/2 inch drive will fit, you should use 1/2 inch drive. If you don’t then you are just beating and wearing down all your 3/8 drive tools and they will have to be replaced. Can’t work with worn out tools. I wouldn’t use that Gearwrench set hardly at all. Most all jobs require 1/2 inch and 3/8 drive impact sockets! Without impact sockets, here again you are unnecessarily wearing out all your chrome sockets. That is abuse. You need a minimum of a 1/2 inch drive mid torque impact wrench to get the wheels off right? Why not use the same 1/2 inch mid torque to do the brakes when possible. You need both 3/8 and 1/2 inch drive, but you see what I mean. Whenever I see someone using a 3/8 cordless impact on lug nuts. Theoretically it’s possible, but just take my word for it, it’s not a good idea. Even with the mid torque 1/2 inch drive, many times you have to walk back to the tool box and get a bigger high torque tool. Just because the torque specs says the 3/8 will work, don’t mean it’s gone work. The quickest way to wear out a set of Snap-on chrome is to not have any impact sockets! 99% of the time all you need is impact socket sets.

[@ihavethedocuments2580]

Totally agree on the 1/2 drive. With a long handle you can get all the torque you need.

[@takethecurseOFFwashingmachine]

Whatever happened with that similar craftsman set you picked up several years ago. Were you happy with that?

[@JustinDowDIYcentralhighway]

I was happy with it. I gave it away to Dorito and the Lucha Cabra. Check out their channel. They put bikes together, really cool videos.

[@takethecurseOFFwashingmachine]

@@JustinDowDIYcentralhighway good to hear, thanks for the reply

[@crappytire7390]

Fixing cars is a fun hobby but not so fun career imo. I have a I don't fix friends or families cars policy. Been down that road and I found the money is not worth the headaches.

[@kentowakai1234]

Could be worse, you could be paying for a bachelor of arts major student loans and making McDonalds money.

[@peterswecanski4912]

1oo% true

[@maicolx7776]

Factories invent special tools for every model 😅

[@carmac1652]

100 on a break job you living in the past 😂😂

[@freddyr4904]

Facts I'll charge 200 for all four brakes and that's if it goes smooth and depending on make a model and if I give you a deal lol

[@mattlenz8554]

My advice to any body going into this try to learn everything don’t be one trick pony.

[@champskog]

Right right don’t pay me what you think is right pay me what you owe me

[@KevinmSilveira7]

And then look what they give back lol

[@loerber]

Lol what all are you guys buying? I’m 2 years in and havent spent up to $2000 on tools and the techs next to me come and borrow my stuff all the time because they don’t have it.

[@tombob671]

The old adage from the Bible says " the workman is worthy of his hire" Amen.

[@BA-pz3lo]

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