Jack . . . of all Trades
Mechanics fancy themselves as “Jacks of all trades” and I am probably as guilty as the next mechanic of thinking I can fix anything. The last half of that cliche “master of none” applies as well. Sometimes a little more than we are willing to admit.
In our trade there is a little bit of every trade. We do do quite a bit of plumbing. Your vehicle has many fluid systems: power steering, the engine cooling system, air conditioning, the brake system, the fuel system to name a few.
A vehicle is a machine of sorts and therefore millwright skills are required. Steering and suspension systems must be repaired as mechanical parts wear out or are damaged. Worn out engines need repair and or replacement.
Electrician skills; we are always working with electricity. More so now than ever. Hybrid vehicles have both high and low voltage systems. 300 to 600 volt battery systems and electric motors are now part of our trade.
Electronics! The amount of electronics in a vehicle is simply mesmerizing and more electronic systems are being added each year.
We are now working with software. Like computer technicians we must update your vehicle’s software when required. Many of our diagnostic tools are computers with interfaces that allow us to communicate with your vehicle for testing and diagnosis. Understanding bits and bites and computer networks is now a part of our basic training.
My tool kit thus is a little bigger than most tradesmen but my skill level using all those tools might not be equivalent to any of those specific trades.
I have recently proved to myself that computer technician I am not. Some time ago my daughter informed me she broke the glass section of her laptop screen. She continued to use it until the actual screen stopped functioning. Now something had to be done.
The computer repair centre estimated hundreds of dollars to repair the situation. Might as well buy a new one at that cost. On second thought some divine inspiration might be in order. Dad turns to that division of Google (Youtube).
The girl in the video makes LCD screen replacement look like a piece of cake. I have all the tools. No problem! I purchase a new screen and a new piece of glass.
Removing the glass requires a heat gun, a suction cup, and a pry device. None of these tools are foreign to me. Heat up the edge of the glass (not too hot). Pull at the corner with the suction cup until the glass pops then pry around the edge. Simple!
After three rounds of heating and suctioning the glass is not thinking about coming off. The hinge between the screen and the keyboard area is melted now and a couple keyboard keys abandoned ship.
I am afterall only an auto mechanic. I do have for sale a laptop lcd and a piece of glass. Maybe I can sell them to one of my auto mechanic friends.
