Recently I did some thinking about my life. I made a decision to do things that I liked to do and knew how to do. But I did not have the tools necessary to do that. So I went on a shopping spree just before Christmas. I bought a tool cabinet and tool chest.
The cabinet and chest were new, about three hundred fifty dollars (on sale). I added in about four hundred dollars of tools (on sale). My life long learning experiment in mechanics, engineering, computer systems, systems and electronics is priceless. All told I spent an hour this afternoon doing a “simple” repair on my truck. Book rate has it priced at about five hundred dollars, I will say that is four hours work plus extra. I bought the part for fifty dollars. It took me an hour to take out the old and put in the new.
I am getting ready to retire (again). I have been away from running a wrench, and many other tools, for about fifteen years. I had simple things to do with simple tools during that time. But now, I have real serious mechanical work to do and it is time to get back in the mode. I have to save a lot by doing it myself (DIY). I am good enough to have been offered a job as a mechanic on older vehicles.