Awesome expertise

[Noddy 99]

Guys, I am regularly astonished by the level of expertise and knowledge shown by members on this forum. Are some of you engineers/technicians by trade or mostly inspired enthusiasts? I'd love to know your backgrounds...

 

[Headhurts]

Me, I know nothing but agree there are many helpful and knowledgeable members on these forums.

Robin

 

[LostKiwi]

The Google Foo is strong in this one.

My primary background is large IT systems but I spent a number of years building race cars (including WRC), competing and have been a lifelong petrol head with a particular interest in knowing how things work.

 

[KennyN]

Time served Rolls Royce (turner / fitter) in the 80`s from 16 -> 28 , petrolhead from birth i think , claim to fame was being involved testing RR Merlin engines as we still had two functional test beds from the war. It was an absolute privilege watching them being started from cold without any form of noise suppression prior to the test run , when not working as a "millwright" i was making stuff from all the exotic stuff lying around the factory like ashtrays from Merlin pistons and prybars from engine studs , which i still have.

From RR moved to Trinity Mirror (Reach plc) around 27 years ago as a technician working on the printing presses / plant equipment and building services , then into management for the last 15 years , 55 in January so contemplating hanging up the spanners at some point in 2022 , provided i can do something with my pension.

K

 

[Jasons76]

a time served mercedes commercial vehicle fitter left the spanners in 2004,had a brief stint as a lorry driver for about 6 months return to the trade as a service advisor for mercedes and ford left in 2008 now a test technician for an automotive research company for the last 13 years. i bought my first mercedes in 2020.

 

[mioba]

I am originally a chemist (science), then I became a lawyer, from the age of being a kid, I had the mantra everything can be taken apart and fixed plus I love DIY, from that day on the tool collection just grows......still a kid at heart mind

That said cars at least have become way more complicated with the need for diags to pinpoint errors unlike cars of 20 odd years ago.

 

[alexanderfoti]

As above, a bit of both. IT background combined with enthusiasm about how everything works!

 

[Noddy 99]

Really fascinating reading these, guys. Chapeau to all of you.

For what it's worth, I am a retired Head of English with no mechanical aptitude whatsoever. I took a lap of honour the other day after successfully replacing a blower motor and a cabin filter.

Always loved cars, mind - the very idea of them; the sound of them... 2030 onwards is going to be a bleak time for lovers of cars and engines.

 

[LostKiwi]

the mantra everything can be taken apart and fixed

Exactly! My dad always taught me that if someone can make it, someone can fix it.
He was ex RNZN Chief Engineer on ships so knew how everything from Radar and missile control through to ships toilets worked. His dad was an ex RNZAF aircraft ground crew who spent the war fixing F4U Corsairs in the Pacific, raced motorbikes and became a parts manager for a GM dealership.
I was never going to get away from oil and grease!

 

[Hotspur]

Closest thing I came to mechanics is my neighbour had a very successful home mechanic / garage so helped him where I could.

Personally, 30 years in IT Solutions and Architecture.

 

[coxyhog]

Almost 50 years in aircraft maintenance,modification & repair has put me right off DIY so I get Wayne Gates to do it for me.

 

[Wearsafoxhat]

Always liked cars, always interested in how things work and always happy when I’ve fixed a broken something.

Spent twenty odd years as an electrical and mechanical engineer in the RN and then another twenty as a service engineer for security systems.

Less enthusiastic these days, but still keen on learning. Skinned knuckles, backache and a wet drive put me off some jobs.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[Rotorhead500]

Petrol- and diesel-head from a very, very young age. Fell in to Engineering & Manufacturing world, worked for JLR for a while... know just enough to be dangerous!

 

[EmilysDad]

Spent twenty odd years as an electrical and mechanical engineer in the RN and ....

as a Tiff?

 

[LostKiwi]

as a Tiff?

That's how my dad started (actually an AB before a tiff).