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OT/ Diesel mechanic or machinist

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FarmallInternational22

02-15-2006 19:00:58




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im a sophopmore in high school and cant decide wether i should take diesel mechanic or machinists at vocational school.which would pay more and be better in the long run?which is better overall?




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txgrn

02-17-2006 14:36:11




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 Re: OT/ Diesel mechanic or machinist in reply to FarmallInternational22, 02-15-2006 19:00:58  
You have had a lot of answers. Will not contradict those offerings.

My 2c: Whatever you choose, you will do 8+ hrs a day, 5+ days per week for 40+ years.

How easily do you get bored? Think about what I just said and then add what your aspirations are for job satisfaction, net worth, community acceptance, family desires, and anything else you can think of.

Does your choice for an occupation fill the bill? If not, change it, NOW; you'll regret it later if you don't.

I would not like to relive my life as I don't want to have to face these challenges again. But you are young and have to face them so here is the best advice I can give you.

What you put into your future now, you will get back 10-100 fold when you are on the other end...my end, when you can't do things you could do when your age, but you still need to live and all.

It'll be tough; but things worth having don't come easy. You're going to pay the price, now or later. Pay it now; you'll love yourself later for accepting the challenge now when you are young enough to do it.
----- -----
Happily retired after a fabulous 36 year career with the same hi-tech employer.....and I enjoyed it. Going to work was fun; trying at times, but fun. Guess I just liked the challenge....kept it interesting 12 hrs a day, 6 days a week. Never had to do the same thing over and over and over.

Mark

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Easy

02-16-2006 11:56:15




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 Re: OT/ Diesel mechanic or machinist in reply to FarmallInternational22, 02-15-2006 19:00:58  
I would stay away from any manufacturing job. The jobs are going fast, and they ain't coming back. Myself and almost all of my coworkers are on the northside of 50. And don't limit yourself either, it's a big world out there!



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ShepFL

02-16-2006 07:16:31




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 Another consideration in reply to FarmallInternational22, 02-15-2006 19:00:58  
Do not limit yourself. Consider alternatives such as the Armed Forces and their training programs.

My preference is Navy (4 ys. naval aviation) then the Air Force; from there it makes no difference to me as both must sleep in foxholes from time to time and can get shot at.

I went to schools and learned a skill I could use on the "outside" while getting paid to see the world that otherwise I would never have seen.

I chose this route as when I was in your shoes many moons ago my options were ranch work or working in the woods as a gypo logger.

I have never regretted my time in the service.

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Rick in Texas

02-16-2006 11:41:21




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 Re: Another consideration in reply to ShepFL, 02-16-2006 07:16:31  
I joined the Air Force in 1967 to learn a trade that I could use when I got out. They taught me to load bombs and rockets on airplanes and ammunition in guns on airplanes. I got to do this in Viet Nam.



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Arthur

02-16-2006 06:36:52




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 Re: OT/ Diesel mechanic or machinist in reply to FarmallInternational22, 02-15-2006 19:00:58  
26 years as a machinist...Most of these jobs are going overseas, but it cost alot to send a truck overseas to be repaired. So they'll probaly fix them right here in the good ol US of A. JMHO



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Dave_Id

02-16-2006 05:38:47




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 Re: OT/ Diesel mechanic or machinist in reply to FarmallInternational22, 02-15-2006 19:00:58  
I started in trade school as a machinist, then was a mold maker for 30 years. I had my own business for 18 years. At one time mold shops were so plentiful, that if you didn"t like working one place, you just rolled your tool box next door and went to work. Very little machinist and moldmaking work is left in this country. Now I work as a loan officer for a mortgage company. I stay alive, but the work is hardly fullfilling. My brother on the other hand was a diesel mechanic for years, now working for Northwest Airlines. Alot of the work he was doing is now also going overseas. The rebuild work of generators, etc. I have another brother who started as a welder in manufacturing, until most of the work was relegated to jig and fixture welding, where they took kids out of school, and paid them minimum wage. Now alot of that has also gone overseas. So, my advise is to stay away from both trades and get a job at Walmart as a greeter...

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doodelbug

02-16-2006 04:50:30




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 got a question? in reply to FarmallInternational22, 02-15-2006 19:00:58  
at work they use cnc machines to make airplane parts. how can a cnc operator be called a mechinist when all they do is punch numbers into a computer? or am i missing something here ?



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Tim...Ok

02-16-2006 06:20:57




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 Re: got a question? in reply to doodelbug, 02-16-2006 04:50:30  
a CNC operator and a machinist are usually two different things..we have both,alot of operators and a few machinists..but there is alot more to running a CNC machine than pushing a button..except maybe in a high production environment..



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HA in Oh

02-16-2006 04:46:44




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 Re: OT/ Diesel mechanic or machinist in reply to FarmallInternational22, 02-15-2006 19:00:58  
I'm a maintance machinist for a large alloy plant, there's also several diesel mechs that work here too. Both jobs pay the same, machinist are confind to a certan area, mech are to for the most part, but some go out in a service truck which is nice when the weather is good, bad when it is'nt. There's many differnt types of machinist jobs. Most are CNC production, you push a button and the machine does all the work, you may do your own programing or someone else does it for you. Mechanics is harder work, climbing' lifting, pulling wrenches. In Ohio the demand is about the same for each craft and it is very hard for a young man to get started, every place wants someone with experance. You need to have a close look at both jobs, then go with which one you are the most interested in. It comes down to doing what you like the most. Good luck.

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Tim...Ok

02-16-2006 04:01:36




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 Machinist in reply to FarmallInternational22, 02-15-2006 19:00:58  
If it interests you,you can't go wrong with the machinist side..I had the same choice to make 20 or so years ago,sophomore in HS.,actually thought I wanted to take autobody,glad now that class was full..went on the job half way thru my senior year running CNC mills making aircraft parts..started out making more money than any of my friends,enjoyed the hell out of it..mostly clean work,heat and a/c shops,good benefits.. Only changed jobs once,been here goin on 19 years,been programming for the CNC's now for 9 years and really enjoy it..very challenging :) I'm sure the market varies by region,but aircraft is real strong around here,we can't hire enough good machinists..

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Midwest redneck

02-16-2006 02:37:36




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 Re: OT/ Diesel mechanic or machinist in reply to FarmallInternational22, 02-15-2006 19:00:58  
I am a machinist and toolmaker. I am 36 years old. I have no desire to be a mechanic but I can tell you at my age I could not imagine crawling under trucks every day and wrenching on equipment. Where I work is neat clean and Heated and AC too. I dont mind getting my hands dirty but getting covered in grime sucks and all over my clothes would suck too, and I dont have to get my clothes dirty. I make machine components on a Bridgeport milling machine and I assemble fixtures too. My salary is about the same as a diesel mechanic. Read up on machining and get to know the trade a little before making a set choice, you have 2 years yet before you graduate from school so you have time. Good luck

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NC Wayne

02-15-2006 22:04:05




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 Re: OT/ Diesel mechanic or machinist in reply to FarmallInternational22, 02-15-2006 19:00:58  
As indepependents Dad and I do both mechanic work and machine work. We're more geared toward the mechanic side of things but working on older equipment lends itself to needing both sets of skills. We have a small machine shop that we use for things like making bushings, pins, and other items that are no longer available through the OEM's, etc. We also do portable/field align boring work. We're about the only ones in the area that will go out in the field, tear a machine down, build up and align bore a set of holes/ or bore them and then make and install bushings, and then reassemble the machine. With us it's a turn key job from start to finish not one guy to do the mechanic stuff and another to do the machine work. This makes things go alot smoother when your working behind yourself and not somebody you don't know. You have to have a pretty good knowledge of machining to do the boring work as well as to be able to go back to the shop and machine out a bushing, make a special jig to do a specific job, etc. As for choosing one job over the other, I couldn't do it because I like both. There will always be a call for both professions. If your a good mechanic there'll always be a machine breaking and somebody needing work done. If your a good machinist there are getting to be a lack of job shops that have guys with the knowledge to be repair machinists. There are so many shops out there with CNC machines that are more than willing to make you 10000 parts but don't have any desire to take in piece work. If you get into machining on the repair side then combine some welding in with your courses. Heck, do that regardless because it's another skill you'll need for either profession. In the end do whatever you feel most comfortable with. Every profession will have good and bad days, that's a given. If at the end of the day, if all those headachs seem worth it because you truely enjoy what your doing, that's all that matters.

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Glenn/OH

02-15-2006 21:28:02




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 Re: OT/ Diesel mechanic or machinist in reply to FarmallInternational22, 02-15-2006 19:00:58  
If you were to get good in the Diesel Mechanic trade an really ENJOY what you are doing I would think you would never have to worry about finding work. I can give you some insight into machineing.I have been in the trade since 12th grade.hard to believe 30 years now been with the same company for 22 years.Been a boss for the last 15. My company designs an builds packageing machinery. I have manual machinist an cnc machinist in which they are highly skilled.In my 22 years I dont remember to many 40 hr weeks. since I can remember we are working 60 to 65.I have been looking to hire 3 machinist for about the last month. Guess what im still lookin. It seems to me not a look of younger kids are getting in to machineing.If you like to make things an want to be a true craftsman the industry needs you.

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Don-Wi

02-15-2006 21:17:03




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 Re: OT/ Diesel mechanic or machinist in reply to FarmallInternational22, 02-15-2006 19:00:58  
I was in the same spot a couple years ago, and I ended up having a machinst job (job shop type place, also make sprockets and gears for AGCO, Arctic Cat, Gruett, Miller, Meyer's, etc...) land in my lap the summer before my senior year. I did it through the co-op program (work release type deal) at the high school and now have been there for almost 4 years.

I went on to the Tech school and am currently taking part time classes for machine tool, class starts at 6:15 AM, goes for 3 hours then I go to work for about 6-8 hours/day. It's working out all right for me. Eventually I'll have to get a 2nd shift job so I can finish up school, but at this time I'm making $10.50, plus health insurance on top of that, paid holidays and a couple days paid vacation. I'm getting about due for another raise too..... .
Donovan from Wisconsin

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P Backus

02-16-2006 18:58:22




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 Re: OT/ Diesel mechanic or machinist in reply to Don-Wi, 02-15-2006 21:17:03  
Donovan, whereabouts are you in WI? I"m right in the neighborhood of Gruetts and Miller Pro.....
Paul



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Don-Wi

02-16-2006 20:23:01




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 Re: OT/ Diesel mechanic or machinist in reply to P Backus, 02-16-2006 18:58:22  
I live in Kaukauna, the shop I work at is in Freedom. I'm pretty sure we make ALL of the sprockets for Gruett, Miller, and Meyer. We make a whole slew of sprockets and hub/spindle assemblies for a company called Rolco, I think they're from Oshkosh. Zarnoth Brush Works and Metco are also a couple customers. We do alot of 1 peice deals for farmers too, doing almost anything they bring in.
Donovan from Wisconsin

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Bob/Ont

02-15-2006 20:23:20




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 Re: OT/ Diesel mechanic or machinist in reply to FarmallInternational22, 02-15-2006 19:00:58  
I have done both and like both. Started out in a machine shop and now do heavy iron for a living. The best machine shops are the local ones that repair things not big production ones. They are the jobs that will be out sourced because of volume of the same things. Can't afford to send a repair to Mexico and then try to explain what you need done.
Later Bob



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j meyer

02-15-2006 20:09:50




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 Re: OT/ Diesel mechanic or machinist in reply to FarmallInternational22, 02-15-2006 19:00:58  
My thoughts- First off, if you want to be a machinist, you gotta be great with details, and if your not good with details, forget it. As for a tech, you got to have good a good thinker. Where do you think you fit the bill??? One thing to always keep in mind is to be open to options-like for myself. I was trained in Diesel Mechanics and busted my butt for a Case IH dealership for a year, and my body didnt like it. I moved on from that Case IH dealer and got asked to be an Agco's Lawn and Garden tech- I never felt so comfortable with a job since taking that chance. Since then, I got hired by a John Deere dealer, make good money, and for the most part, enjoy my job. Matter of finding your niche, but knowing where you want to go, and knowing yourself will help get you there quicker.

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matthies

02-15-2006 19:46:49




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 Re: OT/ Diesel mechanic or machinist in reply to FarmallInternational22, 02-15-2006 19:00:58  
My bosses stepson went into being a machinist, and with his first year out in the real world is making double what I'm making as a diesel tech after 10 years. This kid didn't seem that ambitious and I thought he wouldn't make it(a good kid otherwise). He sure fooled me. chris



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IaGary

02-15-2006 19:29:02




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 Re: OT/ Diesel mechanic or machinist in reply to FarmallInternational22, 02-15-2006 19:00:58  
Which job would be more available in the area you want to live. If area of living is not important see if you can job shadow at both jobs to see which one would interest you more.

I think both would be good jobs to have but the machinist might be better working conditions.
Less crawling around on engines and cleaner.

Just my thoughts



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Kelly C

02-15-2006 20:00:28




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 Re: OT/ Diesel mechanic or machinist in reply to IaGary, 02-15-2006 19:29:02  
Just a observation. I dont see as many machine shops around as I used too. Many of the Job type work is going over seas ( cheaper Labor).
That being said. i still think there is opertunity in the field. For high skilled high value work.
I.E. if your good you can make out real well.

Machanic= there is always a truck that needs fixin. If you are even a average mechanic you will be gainfully employed.

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Rick in Texas

02-15-2006 19:21:38




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 Re: OT/ Diesel mechanic or machinist in reply to FarmallInternational22, 02-15-2006 19:00:58  
Son forget the pay. do what you enjoy the most.I am a diesel mechanic. Young guys are technicians now us old farts are mechanics. If you have a high paying job but are unhappy you are not good for anyone including yourself. I feel so sorry for the many people I've met who are unhappy with there job. Don't get me wrong nothing in life will ever be 100% what you want. You have to find the job with the positives that you like and the negatives you can live with. Still bad things will happen. They can be stumbling blocks or stepping stones, which ever YOU decide to make them. I'm 58 years young and still living life to the max. Good luck, Rick

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thejdman01

02-15-2006 19:20:58




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 Re: OT/ Diesel mechanic or machinist in reply to FarmallInternational22, 02-15-2006 19:00:58  
Both can be same working conditions inside building, hot etc. mechanic maybe more outside work, rain, mud rust in your face. Pay potentially the same. Machining jobs are being out sourced to mexico china japan etc etc, things are being designed and manufactured elsewhere, mechanics however would be very hard to be sent overseas in my opinion



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