Hello everyone I'm new here from Western Pennsylvania. And here to learn all can about mechanics because I want to self teach myself. The trade to add to my welding background...so was wondering if you guys and gals can give me advice on tools and equipment and anything else that can help me get started.

Funny Spence 

And yes.... welcome.

You ought teach yourself about electricity and electronics. The stuff used in autos is DC electricity generally and that is used in apps other than autos. Automotive technician's books provide a ready wealth of knowledge about DC power as they are the most prevalent user of it. Your automotive alternator produces AC power that is rectified to become the DC it is. Diodes do the rectifying.   
There is more to automotive technology than alternators and rectification. Carry on.
  You can learn here if you can pick Tom's and Mick's brains.
Paul Danner is a teacher at Rosedale Technical Institute in Pennsylvania on the Youtube whom posts a great deal of video from his automotive class and side jobs. Look up 'Scanner Danner' and Scanner Danner Premium on Youtube and pick brains here.

smc wrote on May 29^th, 2016 at 8:33am:



Do you own a PICO scope yet?

smc wrote on May 29^th, 2016 at 5:31pm:



Good word to use! Investment that is... Here's the deal if you buy it from Tom and company from the Autonerdz you will get a good... no GREAT value! You will be allowed downstairs into the "Picogroup" area. There is a lot more we talk about, share ideas, case studies, techniques and more then we do on the public side. You can tell when some has by see "picogroup member" under their name. I did not see that under yours which meant you are just a scope user of a different brand other then Pico or you bought it somewhere other the from the Autonerdz sellers.

Go here and look over what is offered then ask questions before you buy. Give them a call when you are ready or just to discuss your options.

My opinion is once you have and if you are serious about your quest then you will be glad you did.

Spence