Former mechanic getting back in the game

LenZee

LenZee

Joined
Sep 23, 2020
Messages
508
Location
Missouri
I was a mechanic working in a city garage up until the early 90's, Worked on everything from lawn equipment/police/fire/construction equipment.Then I became a Firefighter for the same town and from then on just worked on my own vehicles and sometime hung around my friend's restoration shop to help occasionally. Retired from fire dept in 2016 and just enjoyed retirement until now.
Originally planned to go back to work in 2020 after a move to Missouri but covid and my newborn granddaughter stopped me from taking any chances of getting her sick. Now it's much safer to work so I applied with a local town and got a job working in the shop (maintenance more than mechanic). starting soon so I'm wondering if anyone can recommend things I will need to make life easier. Got steel toe boots, Looking for work gloves and durable disposable gloves and other must haves. Maybe a back brace to help with tire rotations lol because I'm 57 and want to preserve what I have physically. Any recommendations?
 
For me, quality socks are just as important as boots. Maybe I'm a pansy because I have a history of back problems and one back surgery under my belt.

Personally I wear Thorlo Trekking -- basically the thickest I could find.

If you just purchased your boots, start breaking them in now.

Basically, in the short term I'm most concerned about you being on your feet all day because it sounds like you've had a retirement gap from firefighter (THANK YOU BTW!!) to this. Your body will adapt quickly but the first ~week might suck. Quality footwear will help a lot.
 
Do some simple workouts for your core, situps, pushups, leg lunges, just some basic calisthenics, or even some yoga. I slacked off in my early 30's and was becoming an achy old man fast, but we had some free yoga lessons at lunch at work and it was amazing how much better my back felt after a couple weeks. I rarely ever have a sore back now, unless I quit working out for a week or two. Same with my knees, a dozen front and side lunges and deep squats, a dozen single leg bridges every other day, makes the knees feel pretty good!
 
Seriously, do yoga to strengthen your back muscles.
Those compression belts are only slightly effective in my experience.
Other exercises might work too but yoga is peaceful for geezers our age and it's easy and EFFECTIVE.

Under vehicles? Make sure you have good eye protection and a head / hair covering. There's no need to get filth on you.
Have knee pads ready if you'll be prowling around wheels and rocker panels.
 
IndyIan said:
Do some simple workouts for your core, situps, pushups, leg lunges, just some basic calisthenics, or even some yoga. I slacked off in my early 30's and was becoming an achy old man fast, but we had some free yoga lessons at lunch at work and it was amazing how much better my back felt after a couple weeks. I rarely ever have a sore back now, unless I quit working out for a week or two. Same with my knees, a dozen front and side lunges and deep squats, a dozen single leg bridges every other day, makes the knees feel pretty good!
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Luckily my knees are most least worry, Started working out a little too heavy though and my wrists are telling me to slow down. It's weird how many older mechanics have knee problems, My SIL's father had to have both done in 3 months, His were totally shot.
 
I would focus on personal preparation, doing things others have recommended above. I'd think working for the town, they would provide the tools and PPE needed. It might be worth asking anyway.

Just my $0.02
 
LenZee said:
They do provide tools and safety equipment, Just looking for other stuff I may need to make life easier.
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Good to know and glad you know. It would be a waste to buy stuff they will provide.

IMO, and like others have said good boots! I'm on my feet a lot many days and footwear is key. I buy new boots every year to avoid foot and back issues. A couple hundred bucks isn't worth the problems.

Just my $0.02
 
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I am blessed with the luxury of going to the gym and would suggest doing yoga, Pilates, resistance weight training and spinning-bikes. No running on the treadmill, everything should be low impact.
It will take 6 months to see improvements but it will be transformational.

Every week, my 91 yr old mom takes 7 senior tai-chi classes and also walks 4 hours. She complains about the 80 yr olds members who can’t remember their tai-chi moves. Lol
 
If you're doing only maintenance, you will probably not be crawling under dashes. That's a PLUS.
Good pocket flashlight, and pocket screwdriver for your shirt pocket.
I retired at 64 - after 47 years, had back surgery in my early 40s, no other joint problems.
The hearing protection mentioned is a must.
If you wear cheater glasses they make bifocal safety glasses - also a must.
 
AZjeff said:
Just remember you're 57 not 47. You didn't mention your physical condition.

Doing planks is a good way to strengthen core muscles.
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I'm in average shape now for my age, Not as good as when I was a Firefighter but ok'ish.
Hopefully Yoga will help improve flexabilty.
 
Mechanician said:
If you're doing only maintenance, you will probably not be crawling under dashes. That's a PLUS.
Good pocket flashlight, and pocket screwdriver for your shirt pocket.
I retired at 64 - after 47 years, had back surgery in my early 40s, no other joint problems.
The hearing protection mentioned is a must.
If you wear cheater glasses they make bifocal safety glasses - also a must.
Click to expand...
I wear cheaters for reading only. Adding bifocal safety glasses to the list thanks!
 
There are two types of a 401K plans: traditional and Roth. But there is a third 401K : ur personal health 401K. U need to start in ur 40yrs or earlier since this is the base investment that will carry u into ur 60+ and beyond. Also if the primary physician tells u let’s say ie lose weight, that is u usually too late. Got to be proactive and discipline in ur health 401K just like the financial one,

I am 65yr and not some youthful 25 yr old LA fitness personal trainer who is just preaching. But I wish I was 25yrs old again.
 
Have you an idea on what you will be working on?

Training or education.

Don't work on certain things until you have had training. Like high voltage electrical or the refrigerant side of HVAC. Probably more than that.

Set a retirement date. Are you working to still be useful to society or bored or for the $$?
 
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