The van model was initiated in the U. Meet Rick, a military veteran who was injured in Afghanistan and lost his right arm and leg. Likes 67 View on Instagram. Likes 73 Comments 1 View on Instagram. At the same time, it enabled salesmen to build long-lasting goodwill.

It took all summer but he got it in pretty good shape! Swipe to see how it turned out. Likes 73 Comments 1 View on Instagram. Ready… GO! Enter to win everything above by: 1.

Sharing this post to your Instagram story and tagging makersandfixers 2. Keep in mind- we will not be able to see your story if your account is private. Likes 70 Comments 83 View on Instagram. Gabriel is working his dream job- as a Technician at a John Deere equipment dealer. The first project he tackled on the job was rebuilding a engine in a G Excavator. Likes 89 Comments 1 View on Instagram. Likes View on Instagram. When Sugun moved to the U.

She now works on private jets and is the first female technician her company has ever hired. Likes Comments 18 View on Instagram. He works on everything from installing electronics and small engine repairs to putting in a motor or two or three.

Likes Comments 1 View on Instagram. Both guys won a No. What should we giveaway next? Likes 61 View on Instagram. Daniel started his own Aircraft Maintenance Shop because he wanted to do things the right way. His favorite part of the job is replacing turbine engines and seeing 3 bolts holding 8, pounds. Likes Comments 5 View on Instagram.

When Christian started out as a Lube Technician, he learned everything he could from the more experienced technicians, and absorbed every piece of knowledge. All he learned made him a better technician and still helps him in his career today. Likes 77 Comments 2 View on Instagram. Thank you, Kyle and the rest of the Oil and Gas Techs out there for keeping our homes warm. Likes Comments 2 View on Instagram. Meet U. But his favorite thing to work on are boats….

Likes 48 View on Instagram. Likes 81 View on Instagram. In his field, Adam has seen people pierce walls with forklifts, plow through too-small doorways, and drive off docks. But what Adam considers his most memorable project is working on his VW- and learning how to repair it with help from lots of friends and family.

Likes 76 Comments 2 View on Instagram. Diesel Technician Kameron Myers recently bought a school bus that he is working on turning into an RV! There is still a lot of work that needs to be done- any advice from someone who has built an RV or tiny home? Stay tuned to find out what our next monthly giveaway will be.

Remember to share your story at MakersandFixers. Likes 65 View on Instagram. No matter where you start in life, hard work can get you to where you want to be! He worked hard and got more experience, and now gets to work on almost every type of vehicle that comes into the shop. Likes 67 Comments 1 View on Instagram.

The wheels on the bus go round and round… all thanks to the hard work of Bus Technicians like Aaron Powell! Thank you Aaron for making sure our kids get to and from school safely! Likes 97 Comments 1 View on Instagram. Did you learn more from your schooling or from your hands-on work? He plans on getting certified and to continue wrenching! Likes 81 Comments 4 View on Instagram. Link in bio! Not sure what to share? Tell us about the cool projects you work on, the crazy things you deal with every day, a day in the life of a Maker and Fixer!

Likes 90 Comments 20 View on Instagram. Our aviation Makers and Fixers are so passionate about what they do! Likes Comments 4 View on Instagram. Rob trained in the UK and specializes in Land Rover and other 4x4s doing maintenance repairs and manufacturing.

Likes 60 Comments 1 View on Instagram. Getting through tech school is never easy, and Jannice had the additional challenge of having two young babies at home. She specializes in electrical and performance diesel transmissions. Likes Comments 8 View on Instagram. To enter the giveaway just share your story with us on MakersandFixers.

Not a Maker or a Fixer? Submit a story on behalf of a Maker and Fixer in your life. Winner will be announced February 1st! Likes Comments 11 View on Instagram. Meet Aaron! Any words of wisdom for a future Diesel Tech? Likes Comments 13 View on Instagram. He was fortunate to have a grandfather who showed him the ropes and taught him as much as possible. He now has a successful career at a Honda dealership. Likes 38 Comments 2 View on Instagram.

I'm goal-driven for the future and focused on success. I always strive for the best results in my work! A diesel tech working on CNG engines is cool in my book! Likes 41 View on Instagram. Dakota is a few months into an Aircraft Mechanic Apprenticeship and loving it. He pushes every day to be the best at what he does and that is the definition of a Maker and Fixer attitude.

Meet David, a single dad who goes to work every day with the goal to keep everyone safe on the road! Outside of work, he loves working on his Toyota 4Runner with his son and daughter. Keep up the good work David! Likes Comments 21 View on Instagram. Happy Holidays to the Makers and Fixers around the world! How are you celebrating? Likes 82 Comments 1 View on Instagram. Fulton is a Mobile Mechanic who shared this hilarious story with us on makersandfixers.

He received an emergency morning call and rushed to the site. Thanks for sharing with us mikestransporters and keep up the good work! Likes Comments 3 View on Instagram. A lot of our Makers and Fixers transition into their jobs from other fields, but Halen is our first body-piercer turned Fleet Mechanic! What similarities are there between a body piercer and a mechanic?

Let us know in the comments below! Halen has helped some of his coworkers get raises by sending pictures of their hard work to the boss. Sign me up to work on a job with him! You must be following to win! Good luck! Likes Comments 12 View on Instagram. He would help his dad with oil changes and other maintenance- skills that he used later in life to get his first job at a transmission shop.

Likes 92 View on Instagram. Growing up working on his family farm, Hogan had a reputation for being able to fix the unfixable! He put his skills to use, started at a welding and fabrication shop at 16, and is now working as a Millwright.

Likes Comments 10 View on Instagram. Who else will never forget their first car? For Sophie, her Chevy Nova was extra special- it ignited her love for cars and inspired her to get some automotive experience that would kick off her career. She loves her current job and has even helped restore a car for one of the Chicago Bulls.

This story really BLEW our minds. Luckily no one was hurt and nothing of value was damaged other than the car, of course.

So what do you think caused the car to explode? Likes Comments 6 View on Instagram. Does anyone else get phone calls from friends, family and neighbors asking for a repair? I'm currently fixing equipment for restoration and concrete equipment. I am also working on restoring a Mach 1 and doing a 5.

One of the craziest things that has happened on the job was that I've got to work on complex v concrete grinding equipment! USMC construction repair equipmentrepair restoration mustang ford. How many Aviation Techs out there started off working on cars like Simon? Simon works for an airline in the UK, but worked on cars for years before transitioning to Aviation.

Let us know in the comments below. Want to win? Can our Canadian Makers and Fixers relate? Shane Kelley is a Maintenance Mechanic for a brick manufacturer.

When the kiln needed repairs after an emergency shutdown, he worked around the clock to get it up and running. Just another example of how makersandfixers are always there to save the day! His favorite project is his personal truck- the one his kids help him with at home. Spending time with his children, teaching them important skills and how to use tools, makes this the most exciting job in the world.

Likes 62 Comments 2 View on Instagram. He has worked on some really awesome things and is currently working for the county on large vehicles like snow plows, excavators, dump trucks and more. So many makersandfixers use their skills to help people in need! He builds tables for flood victims using donated wood. We love shouting out people who are using their skills to make the world a better place. If you know anyone who needs a shout out mention them in the comments! Likes 75 Comments 1 View on Instagram.

Meet Gabriela! At 22 years old she is starting her own repair shop AND creating tutorial videos to help people learn the basics like changing tires, changing oil, and replacing brake pads. Any other neat freaks out there? Send us a picture of your perfectly organized box! We would like to extend a huge thank you to all the veterans who have served their country, including those who have kept planes, helicopters, tanks, and everything else on the move to defend the freedoms we all enjoy.

We appreciate you! Likes 80 Comments 1 View on Instagram. Inspired by heavydsparks she signed up for automotive classes in high school and ended up pursuing an apprenticeship! Now, her new favorite place is in the shop working on a project. Likes Comments 31 View on Instagram. Justin started in the automotive field, then discovered he liked working on trucks and heavy equipment. He decided to further his expertise with welding and fabrication work and went to welding school.

Likes 55 View on Instagram. Has anyone else ever been chest deep in an engine bay? Meet Nicholas- a 3rd generation Master Technician who literally jumps right in to all his projects. Likes Comments 43 View on Instagram. Jordan Dodd was just an year-old kid working at a tire shop when he had the opportunity to get a job at Caterpillar. He says he really found his passion working on heavy machinery.

Likes 53 Comments 1 View on Instagram. Makers and Fixers really have the most interesting jobs in the world! The skills he learned helping his dad laid the foundation for his career as an Automotive Technician. She just started her apprenticeship a few months ago, but is loving every second of the journey so far. We wish you luck in the rest of your career Cricket! Lonnie is a technician who has been in the automotive industry for 24 years! After a few years at a diesel shop, he decided that working on Jeeps and off road vehicles was his calling.

He made it happen and today he builds custom Jeeps and trucks! What are your favorite types of projects? Likes 44 Comments 1 View on Instagram. The repairs are still going on today, but Tim was proud to have played an important part in the recovery of his home.

Now, he uses his skills on product development and testing and building cars of the future. What things did you build as a kid? Likes 58 View on Instagram. Eddie started in the oil and gas industry when he was 19 years old. He began as a pipeline welder, and has worked his way up to being a Motor Man and Direction Driller. If anything goes wrong on the oil rig, Eddie is the one who fixes it. On some of his projects, he uses drills upwards of , pounds and has an entire semi-trailer full of spare parts in case something goes wrong.

Go big or go home! Like and comment this post to show them some love! We are highlighting individuals in our story today so make sure to check that out. If you work in manufacturing or any other industry make sure to share your story with us at makersandfixers. Likes 70 View on Instagram. Check out this picture of Jesse with the first engine he ever removed and rebuilt on his own.

Keep it up and congrats! Jimmy remembers being a little kid watching his dad work on engines and transmissions. So many of us Makers and Fixers had a mentor who helped shape our career. Who helped you get to where you are today?

Celeste grew up working on cars with her dad, then went to school for diesel repair. Likes Comments 7 View on Instagram. In the next 48 hours we will be giving away five Maker and Fixer T-shirts! Likes 85 Comments 14 View on Instagram. Likes Comments 35 View on Instagram. He decided that something needed to change, and he was willing to do the work to make that change. He got his GED and enrolled in school for heavy duty truck repair.

Jonathan is now working as a technician and successfully providing for his family! I grew up my whole life working on cars after school and even during summer. Now I do it for a living. Likes 67 View on Instagram. Dez grew up with a medical condition that was expected to shorten her life. Her experiences motivated her and taught her to keep pushing for what she wants to do, no matter what others say.

Dez now owns a custom paint and auto body shop and teaches other women her trade. She was on a MotorTrend TV show and made it to the top 4 contestants! You keep the world moving. To be entered, tag 2 other Makers and Fixers in the comments below! Likes 90 Comments 13 View on Instagram. John started out as young kid working on his go-kart! He had so much fun learning on that go-kart, he made it a career and is working as a mechanic today!

What was the first project you ever worked on? Likes 56 View on Instagram. Automotive technician turned…. Miguel was a Master Technician at a dealership when his neighbor needed help repairing his Cessna! Likes 84 View on Instagram.

We are thankful to be able to share the stories of Makers and Fixers from around the world. To see more international stories, visit MakersandFixers. Precision Torque In the late s, Snap-on responded to the need of taking the guesswork out of applying torque. Snap-on reached an agreement with Precision Instruments, Inc. Snap-on was one of the first companies to offer a complete range of torqometers, which were essential in automotive, aerospace and industry, and enjoyed a patented position in the market for many years.

The early s were marked by World War II and the military experienced severe tool shortages as a result. As a preferred supplier to the government, Snap-on was called into action, producing tools that kept air and ground equipment operating.

Wartime demands also led to product innovations. To increase durability of hand tools, the military upgraded the Snap-on material specifications and authorized buying nickel alloy steel, which ultimately became a Snap-on standard. To meet specific demands, hand tools for aviation and large sockets and wrenches for heavy military equipment were also developed. The First Aligners Following the war, there were 40 million cars on the road.

People were driving more and traveling farther distances. Roads were often in poor condition and many were unpaved. Because of this, wheel alignment became a necessity, with roughly six million wheel alignments being performed each year.

Railroad The evolution of transportation from passenger rail to automobile and growth in moving freight by truck sparked changes in the railroad industry. The launch of the diesel locomotive created efficiencies for railroads and an opportunity for Snap-on. Even though Snap-on tools were used for railroad maintenance since the early years of the Company, demand began to increase. So, in Snap-on created a railroad department because of the highly specialized nature of their product line.

It was likely the only such department in any tool company in the United States—perhaps in the world. Independent Businessmen With the primary focus of the Company on supplying tools to the military during World War II, the civilian market was suffering tool shortages.

In response to the challenge, Snap-on developed an important new selling system. Any available tools were released, sold or consigned directly to Snap-on salesmen, to maintain customer loyalty. They took these products directly to their customers in the most expedient way possible—in their personal cars, stations wagons or vans. As a result, the concept of the salesman as an independent businessman was born.

Post-war America began an era of optimism and growth of the middle class. The baby boom created a surge in home construction and a departure from the city to the suburbs. Economic prosperity paved the way for the interstate highway system and demand for new cars. Car ownership in the s grew from 25 million to 70 million registrations and one in six workers were said to have been tied to the auto industry.

The car culture created new business segments such as malls, drive-in theatres, fast food restaurants and car related sports, like drag racing, and stock car racing emerged. Snap-on was well positioned to take advantage of this cultural shift; the dealer network continued to expand as a result of the fast developing auto repair industry and industrial sales accelerated as factories returned back to pre-war production.

From the Spirit of St. These innovations were the direct result of Snap-on customer connection early on. HSM , with a branch in Mexico City. This brought the manufacture of automotive test equipment into the Snap-on line. Voltmeters, Ammeters, Distributor and Alternator Testers and the Anal-O-Scope, the first oscilloscope for automobiles in the United States, were among the early innovations.

The Weidenhoff plant more than doubled its size in to manufacture tool storage cabinets and housings for meters, previously provided by outside manufacturers. Judson Engineering of Natick, MA was acquired in At this time, the aviation industry was making advancements in reducing space and weight by modifying fasteners, but was struggling with rounding of the fastener corners upon removal.

The Navy sought Snap-on to solve this dilemma. Product Line Expands Car models were expanding, advancements, such as air conditioning, were increasing and the interstate road system enabled car owners to drive more. Air conditioning was coming of age and brought with it a brand new and wide open market for the special tools needed for servicing these systems.

The result for Snap-on was reconfiguration of its plants to increase capacity and add product lines. The van model was initiated in the U. Louis branch completed a strategic acquisition of all 42 branches, giving a singular approach to marketing and distribution.

Education Programs In , over auto mechanic instructors from all over the United States attended a training session at the Stout Institute in Menomonie, Wisconsin to learn about the Snap-on product line. Building on the early success of these training sessions, Snap-on launched its first formal education program in The Educational Service Program ESP was designed to assist technical education instructors in the training and development of student mechanics.

As Snap-on celebrated its 50th anniversary in , it began a decade of explosive growth. A new facility in Bensenville, IL was dedicated to the research and development of new manufacturing processes, and two new distribution centers were opened in Robesonia, PA and Carson City, NV to keep products moving efficiently.

Previously, the stock was bought and sold over-the-counter. Connecting with Industrial Customers As industrial markets became more complex, detailed knowledge of key applications was critical for both new tool development and sales. For example, the trend towards metric fasteners in both the automobile and aviation industries prompted the addition of a large number of new metric wrenching tools.

Field training sessions were established to understand applications and tool usage for specific markets. A Cut Above the Rest As the Snap-on product line expanded, so did the need for tool storage solutions. Mechanics could choose from a broad range of roll cabinets, tool chests, drawer sections and end cabinets to fit their specific needs. Snap-on set the standard with features like heavy gauge steel, reinforced lids, all welded construction and a high quality paint finish.

The eagle, a powerful, regal bird known for fast and furious flight, was chosen as the symbol to guide the Company to even higher levels of quality and customer service. To accommodate the rough conditions and extreme temperatures, the ratchet was coated with nickel plating, had a large spinner head with a notch in the perimeter, a fiberglass handle for easier gripping while wearing space gloves and was tethered.

Sometimes working with as little as a few days to invent solutions, NASA relied on Snap-on to deliver. Whether on the track or in the pits, a few seconds can mean the difference between winning and losing. Snap-on tools are used by top motorsports teams because under these conditions, failure is not an option. Snap-on tools were used by race teams as early as the s and that tradition continued when Snap-on became affiliated with Rick Mears in , largely considered the most successful driver of the s.

The four-time Indianapolis winner was a customer favorite and appeared at Snap-on functions and participated in several advertising campaigns. Air Force and Navy. End of an Era Joseph Johnson, whose brilliant idea changed repair service forever, died on October 15, at the age of Johnson left an indelible mark, not only as an inventor and Snap-on founder, but also as a business leader and community servant. In , Johnson became president of Snap-on, serving until his retirement in April He continued to serve on the board of directors until As demand grew, Snap-on opened the first Australian branch in located in Brisbane, a large trade hub on the East coast.

Sales volume was just under 1 million AUD in that first year. In , operations were expanded, and sales tripled the following year. Throughout the s, Snap-on continued to expand product lines globally to better serve professionals in critical industries.

In , Sandvik Saws and Tools, a division of Swedish based Sandvik AB, became a part of the Snap-on family, not only adding a full range of saws and accessories, but also a global manufacturing base. Engineering Evolution Mathematical modeling, worker comfort, colors, regulations and vehicle complexity played a role in product development in the s.

To improve worker comfort, soft-grip screwdrivers and ergonomically designed pliers were launched. A patented sealed ratchet design increased tool life by keeping dirt out, requiring less maintenance.

Standardized product and business operations, training and support, a focused marketing plan and the National Dealer Advisory Council, later renamed the National Franchise Advisory Council NFAC , were introduced to increase support for franchisees and to foster a strong relationship between Snap-on and its franchisees. Technical Training In the s, Snap-on continued to expand its education programs. The Snap-on Technical Training program was operating across the U. After completing a course, auto mechanics were granted certificates and achievement stamps, which they could proudly display in their garage or dealership.

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