At what age did you stop or plan to stop wrenching?

[oprn]

^^^This! 100%^^^

I might also add:

Remember when you got to actually DRIVE the car, not some computer driving it for you? That includes selecting the gears too by the way!
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We had the stone age, the bronze age, the industrial age and now we are in the age of mass deception and mind control for corporate profit. (The mass media age)

[Abscate]

[Dusty1]

[oprn]

[skills@eurocarsplus]

approaching my mid 40's now. professional tech for 30 years. i've watched the carb guys retire when FI and OBD1 became mainstream, and I'm watching guys retire in the advent of EV's

Every fucking inch of me hurts. I sound like bubble wrap when I get up in the morning. Had a heart attack last year and honestly, shouldn't have survived it.

Wasn't until the last few years after a lifetime of staying educated, buying tools and diag equipment that I was actually able to make *close* to what the job is really worth. I mean...Amtrak is paying almost 50/hr for a STARTING position as a mechanic

I have been out of the dealer 9 years this spring. I played catch up on a lot of things. House will be paid off in about 2 more years. After that, I don't give a fuck what I do...chase a lawn mower, rake cigarette butts, hand a coffee out a window...but I won't be doing this shit
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[Manfred58sc]

I wrenched full time in a 4X4 shop in my 20's, that really took it out of me. It actually pushed me into VW repair because I was sick of doing really heavy work. My interaction with customers has ebbed and flowed based on space/desire. Flipping cars keeps me in control of the schedule and away from babysitting customer cars ( and losing sleep on parts quality issues).

If I had stayed at a regular garage I'm sure the joy of this would have left the building a long time ago.

Skills and coffee? Sounds like a You-tube channel. Customers drive up, complain about their car problems to the speaker and place an order. They get read the riot act and a cup of burnt, truck stop style black coffee in a Styrofoam cup w/o a lid with Carvanna's number on the side.

Sign me up
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Fat chick owner/operator

[crukab]

I'll keep tinkering on my cars as long as I can, right now I'm finishing a trans swap on my '66 Single, I do 2-3-4 hours at a time. Working on my feet in kitchens has taken its toll, I'd like to make it to 67 to retire and collect S.S., that's 3 years and seven months away, I do 4 days, 38 hours, but man I'm ready to stop NOW!!!
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Tom

My Pops:
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=604100&highlight=
I know you will always be with me, rest in peace with no more pain. 8/13/14.....

In the yard right now:
'51 Dodge 5 window truck
'65 Bug
'66 Singlecab
'82 Rabbit Truck Diesel from CALI
'86 Doublecab W/T
'91 Vanagon carat/wolfsbrg.Tiico
'88 Dodge Ram pickup
'11 Jetta Wagon

[Glenn]

[Cusser]

[VOLKSWAGNUT]

My pop always told me if you stop you rust.. he is right.

I've been wrenching all my life and professionally for over 35 years..
I'm 52 now... and hurt like hell every day..
I noticed years ago.. I hurt less if I keep moving..
I used to hit the shop and tell the writers.. keep me moving and working ... keep shoveling on the coal..

I've graduated to shop foreman a little over a year ago.. .
What I've noticed... the headaches of the dealer grind increased at the same rate the PAIN in my body increased.

Same story... if I'm moving... I don't notice the pain and actually feel better... .but stop and it feels l've been hit with sack of nickels.

If I make it ... I'll be out at the minimum retirement age but doubt Ill ever stop wrenching, tinkering and building.... no matter the pain.
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aka Ken {o\!/o}
Its your vehicle- stop askin' for approval-do what YOU like for cryin' out loud
Better to roll em' how you want and wear em' out-than lettin' em' rot out
Its about the going not the showing
Rebuilt to drive not decorate
WANTED: Local Eatin' Joints, Triple D for TheSamba contributions here http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=570510
Search "VOLKSWAGNUT" on YouTube since you cant watch a "certain" BELT change video round here
Usually and often edited

[Abscate]

As long as they keep swiping right, I’ll keep wenching , 25 cents at a time.
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.ssS!

[OldSchoolVW's]

Yep, pain is the enemy. Since pain is subjective, distraction is often suggested as a management strategy. Trying to troubleshoot an electrical problem on 55 and 60 year old VWs is analgesic enough hold my joint pain at bay ... unfortunately it does nothing for headaches.
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Tom

"Following distance is proportional to IQ."

'63 Beetle Sedan
'69 Beetle Sunroof
'70 Beetle Sedan
'73 Type 3 Fastback

[Jon Schmid]

I'm at the point now in my life where I either have my son do it or I farm it out to someone with a lift.

[skills@eurocarsplus]

[Volktales]

Turning 55 and been turning those wrenches in an automotive shop for 31 years. Hoping to last until 60, but the body is rapidly aging. Getting up off the floor is much harder in the last couple of years. Used to be able to go to work, then fiddle with my VWs at night. The motivation ain't what it used to be. Hardly ever used to nap. Now when I sit in the old recliner, I can fall asleep in a matter of seconds. Aging sucks, and I am not even THAT old, yet...
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1974 "Restfalia" Camper 2000 cc EFI 2001-
1970 Beetle first car, rotten, yard art 1985-
1966 Sunroof Beetle, restored 1998-
1964 Ghia, ongoing project 2007-
1962 Beetle Beryl,original paint survivor 2012-
1970 Savannah Beige Beetle 2012-
1992 16v GTI, 100% stock 2006-
1991 "Terseo", wife's old daily 1995-
1969 Chevrolet CST/10 (family owned since new)
1965 Gold Corvair Monza 2021-
1966 and 1965 Monza 2022-

[kingkarmann]

[NJ John]

The nap thing is real. I never took naps and basically still don’t, but I can fall asleep in my recliner in seconds if I sit there.
I’ll stop wrenching when I take that permanent nap.
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1973 standard, yellow, lowered, 3” narrowed front, 1600 blo-thru turbo w/single dell 15.4@86, so far
11.41 et buggy. Long gone
Let’s go O’s! Let’s go O’s!
https://www.youtube.com/@AirSpooledGarage

[vwracerdave]

Just past 60 and I've gotten to the point where I no longer enjoy wrenching on my VW's any more. It's getting more difficult to put up with the aches and pains after crawling around on the garage floor.
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2017 Street Comp Champion - Thunder Valley Raceway Park - Noble, OK
2010 Sportsman ET Champion - Mid-America Dragway - Arkansas City, KS
1997 Sportsman ET Champion - Thunder Valley Raceway Park - Noble ,OK

[oprn]

[Dusty1]