This site is designed to offer information to the Auto Body Repair Industry and help determine if a career as a professional Collision Repair Technician may be a fit for you.
We would like to give a special thanks to supporters and contributors to the Butler Collision Repair program. Your support will help Butler produce the high quality technicians needed for tomorrow.
Right from the start I knew being a girl wanting to do collision repair, I was going to be the odd one out. It kept me back from realizing my dream. I am not a feminist who needs to prove women should be able to do exactly what a man can do, and as well, I just know what I love and won’t let condescending public expectations stand in my way.. Honestly I was frightened to death of a class full of guys. But I enrolled anyway and sure enough a class full of 9 guys and me. So awkward, and I’m not a confident social person to begin with. The first semester I felt shunned and left out, even though I was voted class leader(I’m pretty sure that was only so I’d be in charge of cleanup). I felt I had to work twice as hard to get it because I had no background in cars or tools really. The second semester was better, some of the students had dropped out or failed and I felt better that I could do this. At the start of the second year, I was able to become a student worker for the morning class and I saw that there was another girl. I was so happy that I couldn’t wait to meet her, hoping that in some weird way we could connect just on the fact that we’re girls overshadowed by guys. I figured she’d feel left out as well, and since I’d been though that and come out ok that she could get a little encouragement to continue. I’d hoped also to do a project together that she could learn on and would be something she could enjoy. I just wouldn’t want some guys to be the reason any girl would miss out on a great shot at the future.
I made it back from the training in Galesburg, IL. The training was definitely worth my time to attend. Therefore, if your looking to improve your auto estimating skills, I would recommend “The Nuts & Bolts of Estimating" offered at Masters Educational System. Dave Dunn’s theories and styles of estimating and business in general made perfect sense to me. I learned a lot and feel this training benefited me significantly. I would also like to mention that the entire Masters group were among the nicest folks that I’ve met in the collision industry.
I was so inspired from the class that I had an urge to work directly in the collision industry again. However, teaching this trade to others and helping them succeed is what I’m most passionate about.
To read more about Dave Dunn and learn how he got his start read this article at ABRN.
Check back to stay updated with the collision repair program.
I am sitting at an airport waiting to board a plane on my way to Galesburg, IL. There I will attend a class about auto estimating. I believe this will help hone my skills in estimating and the trends in the collision repair industry.
It is important that instructors attend training to stay updated with the changes. If not, we may teach obsolete material, which may not be needed in the industry any longer. Just because it worked well ten years ago, does not mean it will work well for tomorrow.
Butler encourages their instructors to get the training they need to stay in tune with industry. Our program is accredited through NATEF, which requires all instructors to attain twenty hours of related technical training per year. However, we attain much more than that each year at Butler. We also have the opportunity to attend or participate in classes and conferences to help improve our teaching methods. This is one of the things that makes Butler a great pace to work. Not all schools offer these types of opportunities.
The class that I’m heading to today is called the “Nuts and Bolts of Estimating.” It is a class offered by Masters Educational Services. I have never attended one of their classes, so this will be a new experience for me. In March I will be attending I-CAR classes at Vision in Kansas. There we will learn more about water borne paints. You will be hearing much more about water borne from BCRN very soon, as Butler’s collision repair program is taking the steps necessary to “Go Green” as we speak. We have a meeting set up with the PPG representative next Wednesday to further discuss Butler going water borne.
Welp, time to board. Check back to stay updated with the BCRN program.
Butler's football team receives the highest honor possible, which is the 2008 National Championship. We're the first community college in the United States to win national championship back-to-back two times. Check out the video to hear more about this awesome accomplishment.
After watching the video, it's obvious that Butler is the home of Champions. However, we have champions in many of our programs. The Collision Repair and Auto Tech programs were recently selected by Tomorrow's Technician magazine to be in the final 2o schools to becoming the School of the Year. I'm excited to find the results in April.
If you're interested in becoming a champion in the collision repair or auto tech industry, let Butler help you make your dreams become reality. Butler is committed to producing quality students. Therefore, we only offer 15 openings in each program per year. If you're interested in becoming a professional technician, it's time to start thinking about securing your spot for fall classes.
For more information about the Collision Repair program contact:
Donnie Smith
Lead Collision Instructor
(316)323-6890
asmith73@butlercc.edu
For more information about the Auto Tech program contact:
Jeremy Carlson
Auto Tech Instructor
(316)322-3287
jcarlson5@butlercc.edu
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Collision Repair Tip
Use a razor blade to gently scrape a run or sag out of a painted surface. This will reduce the amount of color sanding required.
~Zan Fine - BCC Student
Fact
The first car radio was invented in 1929.
Quote
“You are the only person on earth who can use your ability.”
~Zig Ziglar
Question
Shops are being required to use water borne paint. What is your opinion or thoughts about this?
The skating event went well. My wife and I even skated. The best news is that we did not even brake any bones. Although, we did fall a time or two. My boys already want to know when we can go skate again.
The event was created to benefit the Ted Powe Scholarship, which is a scholarship set up for the collision repair program. Carousel Skate Center said that they plan to hold two skates per year in memory of Ted. All money generated from admissions and raffles will be donated to the scholarship.
I would like to personally thank Carousel Skate Center for their support and contributions. Community support helps Butler produce the technicians of tomorrow.
Here is a short video of the skating event.
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Collision Repair Tip
When masking, some soft moldings can be lifted by slipping a small rope between the molding and the surface to be painted. This will eliminate paint/clear from bridging to the molding.
~BCC Student - Sam Moser
Fact
The automobile is the most recycled consumer product in the world today.
Quote
“You were born to win, but to be a winner, you must plan to win, prepare to win, and expect to win.”
My mother sent me an e-mail with a video attached titled "All Physics." After reading about it and watching the video, I decided that some people must have a lot more time on their hands than I do. However, it is a real cool video.
The e-mail claims that the video took over 600 takes and three months to make. It also claims that no part of the video is computer generated. I did not spend the time to research the video to determine if the claims are true or not. However, I think that you will agree that it's an innovate video.
Watch the short video and decide for yourself. Leave us a comment telling us what you think about it.
It would be cool if everything worked right the first time in collision repair.
Butler’s AutoTech and Collision Repair programs have been selected by Tomorrow’s Technician for the Chicago Pneumatic award.There will be one national winner and three region winners selected for the TopSchool of the Year.
The winner will receive $10,000 in tools, gain nationwide recognition in Tomorrow’s Technician magazine, and receive a School of the Year plaque, flag and shop banners, and apparel. The regional winners will receive $5000 in tools.In the Northwest region we are among four other schools selected: Arapohoe Community College, Littleton, CO - College of EasternUtah, Price, UT - RamonaHigh School, Ramona, CA - Butler Community College, El Dorado, KS - Smoky Hill High School, Smoky Hill, CO
I believe it would be awesome to win the national TopSchool of the Year Award.The students work hard at Butler and I believe they deserve that honor.We are working to get the additional information together so we can send it in.We will hear the results in April.
The Real Deal
One of the questions on the questionnaire they sent us is, “what is our favorite car television/cable show?”After asking the students, there is one show that surfaced, which is Overhaulin’.This falls right into the next question, which is, “who is your favorite custom car/hot rod designer?”That would obviously be Chip Foose.There were a few other names mentioned, but I think everyone would agree that Foose is the “Real Deal.”
I had the opportunity to check out several of the cars that Foose has built and I have met Chip.I have no doubt in my mind that Foose is the most talented person in the automotive world.So Foose, you’re the man in our books.
We’ll keep you updated on this event.April seems like a long wait to hear the results, but it will be here before we know it.
Sam Moser, one of my collision repair students, e-mailed me a video titled "female driver complication." I believe there are as many bad men drivers, but I did find the video hilarious. So, I YouTubed it and thought "Why We Need Collision Repair Technicians" would be a good fit for the video. If you haven't seen this video, check it out and let me know what you think.
There will be a skating event Sunday, February 15, 2009 from 6:30 PM to 9:00 PM at Carousel Skating Center in Wichita, KS. This event is in memory of Ted Powe, a former collision repair student at Butler Community College.
Ted passed away this past year (2008) and his family set up a scholarship in memory of him. The family wants the scholarship to help other students entering the collision repair industry. You can read more about Ted and the scholarship at http://bcrn.blogspot.com/2008/10/ted-powell-memorial-scholarship.html
A current student, Devin Olson, and his family own the Carousel Skating Center in Wichita. Devin being cousins with Ted, felt compelled to help his family with this skating event. There will be raffles, prizes and lots of fun. All admission and raffle money will be donated to the scholarship. I will be there with my kids and maybe I can even score a few Butler shirts and caps to give away. For more information about the event visit http://www.carouselskate.net/specialevents.htm
Be sure to put this on your calendar and stop by to support Butler Community College and the Collision Repair industry.
What: Ted Memorial Scholarship Skate When: Sunday, February 15, 2009 Time: 6:30 PM to 9:00PM (Many schools are out Monday 2/16 for Presidents Day) Where: Carousel Skate Center Wichita, KS - 312 N. West Street
Since first introduced -1965, Chevelle SS had grown in popularity. By the late 1960’s, the Chevelle SS with its strong faithful followers was one of the more popular muscle cars. Then every once in a great while a freak of nature occurs, something so different from the average or norm that it blatantly stands out. In 1970 the Chevelle SS LS6 was just that - a freak of nature. It was the complete apex of an era of skyrocketing horsepower ratings when it seemed like the sky was the limit, and here’s what lead to it all.
Due to an internal edict at GM, only full-size cars and the Corvette were allowed engines with displacements larger than 400 cubic inches. Because of this the 65 to 69 Chevelle SS came equipped with a 396 big block. However by the late 60’s Chevrolet got around this by allowing its Central Office Production Order (COPO) program to offer its full range of 427 V8s (including the L88) to customers who special ordered COPO Chevelles and Camaros. Though COPO allowed the production of some legendary 427 powered Chevrolet muscle cars, total production was very low. Only a few in-the-know racers and performance dealers like Yenko had used this program.
GM decided to lift the edict for the 1970 model year, and Chevrolet responded with the 454 V8 as a 1970 Chevelle SS option. The 454 is a member of the Chevrolet Mark IV big block V8 engine family. The first Mark IV engine was the 396 V8, which first saw duty during the 1965 model year. In 1966 the Mark IV 427 V8 joined Chevrolet's engine lineup alongside the 396.
In 1970 things were only looking better for the Chevelle SS, the 454 was not only new to the Chevelle SS but also to Chevrolet. The legendary 427 big block V8 was the largest displacement Chevy V8 in 1969. For 1970, Chevrolet decided to increase the 427's stroke, which bored and stroked reached a displacement of 454 cubic inches. The 4.25 in. bore and 4.0 in. stroke of the 454 are numbers that not only roast the tires, but also bring a smile to anyone behind the wheel.
Chevy provided two separate SS options for the 1970 Chevelle, the SS 396 (Z25) option and the SS 454 (Z15) option. With the SS 396 option one could chose from two Mark IV 396 CID V8s - the L34 (350 horsepower) and the L78 (375 horsepower). Chevy's little secret concerning the 396 for 1970 was that it no longer displaced 396 cubic inches but rather 402. Chevy added a .030 in. overbore on the 396 block pushing its displacement up to 402 cubic inches. For some unknown reason Chevy decided it was best to call the 1970 402, a 396.
The SS 454 (Z15) a mid year option, gave the 70 Chevelle SS buyer two powerhouse V8s to choose from - the LS5 and LS6. The LS5 454 was rated at 360 horsepower in the 70 Chevelle SS, but 390 horsepower in the 70 Corvette. The reality is that the LS5 in the '70 Chevelle SS is identical to the '70 Corvette's LS5. What we have here is a classic case of Chevrolet fudging horsepower figures. The 1970 Corvette was slated to have a 465 horsepower LS7 454 as its top engine option; however Chevy cancelled the LS7 before it was produced. The 1970 Corvette was stuck with the LS5 as its top engine option.
Looking back now, it's quite clear the 1970 Chevelle SS LS6 was the Mount Everest of the muscle car golden era.
