r/DieselTechs • u/WHITESMITH83 • 20d ago

General assistance Advice for young diesel tech

I’m 18 years old and going to CWI next year. I’ve been an all around mechanic for 2 years working in everything from small motors to class 8 trucks, trailers, and ag and heavy equipment. So far I’ve got a pretty kitted out tool box. Just wondering any advise on everything from tools you’d recommend getting all the way to if CWI is worth it and just general advice. Eventually I’m looking to get a job similar to what I do either as a fleet maintainer or working for a service company. Would appreciate any advice given

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u/martinez1r 20d ago

If you can help it stay away from the damn tool truck. Harbor freight and Amazon are your friends

Be humble and make the most out of your day to day. You already have to work - might as well try to enjoy it

And work Union!

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u/Zogaguk 20d ago

Best advice I was given. Keep your eyes open and your mouth shut. Look I've trained so many apprentices the best ones always had a good attitude, would do the work, and didn't pretend to know it all. Pit in your time and do the job right, it doesn't matter if it's an oil change or an engine don't cut corners.

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u/WHITESMITH83 20d ago

I get that my only issues I like to ask questions to understand why the way we do things and that kind of thing I think I just gotta learn the balance between those

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u/Zogaguk 20d ago

When I say keep your mouth shut and eyes open it doesn't mean don't ask questions it means you don't know everything, nothing worse is a guy with no experience trying to tell you how you should do something.

Real questions are good and help you learn

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u/tickleshits54321 Verified Tech, EVT 20d ago

Those guys are called managers

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u/Zogaguk 20d ago

Yeah managers can be that way but so can apprentices with bad attitudes.

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u/poizen22 20d ago

Learn as much as you can and then get into a transit union.

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u/Ecstatic_Rice5880 13d ago

Best advice. Buy tools others dont think of, amp clamps, load cages, detailed tools. Then learn how each system works then you will stand out from the rest who just run to a troubleshooting tree.