Go to a local hardware store. See how many different tools there are for each job. Pick the area of the store that interests you most and ask an employee more about the tools there.

Visit a hardware store and look around.

Gain mechanical knowledge by taking a class at your school. If your school doesn't offer it, try a community college or see if you can intern or shadow a mechanic in your community.

Take a mechanics class. 

Try these quick projects from Khan Academy that you can do at home. Build a simple motor, a ping pong ball launcher, or something else from the list!

Develop mechanics knowledge with hands-on projects!

Control and Valve Installers and Repairers, Except Mechanical Door

Install, repair, and maintain mechanical regulating and controlling devices, such as electric meters, gas regulators, thermostats, safety and flow valves, and other mechanical governors.

Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.

Realistic

Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.

Conventional

Investigative occupations frequently involve working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. These occupations can involve searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.

Investigative

Enterprising occupations frequently involve starting up and carrying out projects. These occupations can involve leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk taking and often deal with business.

Enterprising

Artistic occupations frequently involve working with forms, designs and patterns. They often require self-expression and the work can be done without following a clear set of rules.

Artistic

Social occupations frequently involve working with, communicating with, and teaching people. These occupations often involve helping or providing service to others.

Social

Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed

Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.

Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.

Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.

Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.

Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.

Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.

Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.

Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.

Knowledge of materials, methods, and the tools involved in the construction or repair of houses, buildings, or other structures such as highways and roads.

Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.

Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.

Repairing machines or systems using the needed tools.

Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

Performing routine maintenance on equipment and determining when and what kind of maintenance is needed.

Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.

Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.

Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.

Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.

Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Determining causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it.

Control and Valve Installers and Repairers

Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Occupations

Other Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Occupations

Record maintenance information, including test results, material usage, and repairs made.

Disassemble and repair mechanical control devices or valves, such as regulators, thermostats, or hydrants, using power tools, hand tools, and cutting torches.

Lubricate wearing surfaces of mechanical parts, using oils or other lubricants.

Calibrate instrumentation, such as meters, gauges, and regulators, for pressure, temperature, flow, and level.

Install, inspect and test electric meters, relays, and power sources to detect causes of malfunctions and inaccuracies, using hand tools and testing equipment.

Test valves and regulators for leaks and accurate temperature and pressure settings, using precision testing equipment.

Record meter readings and installation data on meter cards, work orders, or field service orders, or enter data into hand-held computers.

Turn meters on or off to establish or close service.

Shut off service and notify repair crews when major repairs are required, such as the replacement of underground pipes or wiring.

Install regulators and related equipment such as gas meters, odorization units, and gas pressure telemetering equipment.

Control and Valve Installers and Repairers, Except Mechanical Door

Overview

Career

What Control and Valve Installers and Repairers, Except Mechanical Door Do

Other Job Titles Control and Valve Installers and Repairers, Except Mechanical Door May Have

Tasks & Responsibilities May Include

Control and Valve Installers and Repairers, Except Mechanical Door

Overview

Career

What Control and Valve Installers and Repairers, Except Mechanical Door Do

Other Job Titles Control and Valve Installers and Repairers, Except Mechanical Door May Have

Tasks & Responsibilities May Include

Education

Level of Education Attained by Control and Valve Installers and Repairers, Except Mechanical Door

Majors Related to Career

Related Careers

Related Leaders