My first mechanical mistake when I was 6. I was so sick and tired of the chain on my Honda 70 dirt bike coming off I decided to adjust it myself. My dad was too busy to help me. I managed to get a wrench on the adjuster, but it wouldn't budge. So I got a cheater bar and managed to snap the adjuster off. Along came dad and pointed out I needed to loosen the axle nut first, along with scolding me for being impatient. We fixed it together the next day with a new adjuster. From that point on you couldn't keep me out of the tool box. I rebuilt every part of numerous dirt bikes and snowmobiles, clutches, engines and transmissions in cars. My folks never said "no", they encouraged me all the time.
Throughout my two careers my mechanical abilities have aided me in making myself and my businesses successful. My first real job was working as a land surveyor. In Alaska this meant a ton of chainsaw work, along with travel in boats and snowmobiles. I quickly became known to be a good hand to have around to fix chainsaws, snowmobiles and boat motors. It kept me employed when many guys got laid off.
When I got married I went back into the family business so I could be home every night. I purchased the business in 2000. We operate a hardware and building materials business that has a tool/equipment rental and Stihl dealership. Even to this day, even though I am the boss, I am still the guy that does much of the maintenance. I couldn't stand a life where I don't get my hands dirty. Through necessity I have learned to be a welder, be proficient in repairing heavy trucks, and work on hydraulics. The nearest heavy equipment mechanic is 60 miles away and we still don't have enough work to keep a guy on full time. If I have a book, I can figure it out. My motto is.. a human put it together, I can put it back together too. I am a voracious reader and will spend days reading everything I can get on a mechanical subject. (like this website)
In 1996 my wife and I were blessed with a son. He has my mechanical ability times two. He's a freaking genius when it comes to anything mechanical. He has a difficult time reading and that's the only thing holding him back. He can look at a pile of parts, though, and instantly seem to know how it all goes together. His first engine rebuild was a two cylinder 2 stroke 250 snowmobile engine at the age of ten. He is attending school to become an Airframe and Powerplant mechanic for aircraft this fall. For the last two years he has virtually replaced me as the welder and mechanic for the business. I am going to miss him as he moves on to his dreams. Maybe someday he'll come back to the business, but it's his choice.