James Taylor has been a Mechanical Engineer for over 20 years. His experience in the automotive, aerospace, defense, and even biomedical industries gives him a unique perspective on what makes the right tool for the job.
A Jack of all Trades
James Taylor is a wealth of knowledge when it comes to the engineering that goes into the everyday tools that customers use. He’s putting this knowledge to use on his YouTube channel, Midwest Tool Review, to give mechanics and DIYers an unbiased review of all the tools in his chest. This engineer-mechanic-content creator is truly a jack-of-all-trades. He’s worked on everything from fighter jets like the F-22 Raptor and the A10 Warthog to cars, trucks, and agricultural equipment. Here’s a look at what makes James the man that he is, how he’s achieved all his success, and what tools he uses to get the job done.
The Man
James’s love for all things mechanical started at a young age. He got his first tool set from his grandfather at an old flea market when he was just four years old. He didn’t just pretend to use the tools — he put them to use.
After working with those tools for many odds-and-ends projects, James eventually learned how to fix his own vehicles in 2001. Since then, he’s repaired cars, trucks, tractors, and other agricultural equipment, including a rebuild of his 1996 Chevy K1500 that he received from his father-in-law. And while agricultural equipment repairs present its own set of challenges, he thoroughly enjoys the troubleshooting and repairing part. His most recent challenge is a 1958 GMC 100 pickup that will be converted into a rat rod/patina truck, which he calls his most difficult build to date.
It’s easy to find a mechanic or technician with their own YouTube channel telling you all the tricks of their trade, but James’s experience lets him give you a side of the industry you may never have heard. As a mechanical engineer, he’s worked on everything from blow-molding Solo® cups, gas tanks, and medical devices to welding and fabrication. He’s also helped design aircraft sealing components for airplanes, including Boeing 737 and A400, and even for military aircraft like the F-18 Super Hornet.
To say that James’s work as a mechanical engineer is challenging would be an understatement, but that’s why it’s the right work for him. James loves a challenge, and he says there’s nothing like troubleshooting and making repairs. You have to have the right tools to make those repairs.
"Companies like Capri, listen to their customers, while leveraging that feedback to produce tools that make the job of a mechanic or diy’r much easier and enjoyable than ever before."
- James Taylor
The Tools
You can have all the smarts and grit, but at the end of the day, some builds can only be done if you’ve got the right tools for the job. James understands that, so he decided to take his knowledge public and create a YouTube channel dedicated to giving his viewers an unbiased view of the most common tools on the market.
James knows how frustrating it can be not having the tools to get the job done, so he strives to give a comprehensive and balanced description of the many tools he’s come across over his decades of experience. He repairs old tools in addition to vehicles, so he’s got the know-how to help you bring your beat-up tools back to life.
He’s reviewed various products on his YouTube channel, and one of James’s favorite lines of equipment is Capri Tools. The first tool set he received from Capri was a set of metric ratchet wrenches, complete with a satin finish for a comfortable grip. When we asked him what his favorite Capri tools were, he didn’t miss a beat — the 3/8″ drive stubby sockets and 3/8″ chrome sockets. He said, “They never fall short of delivering quality and performance.”
The Trends
As an expert in many fields, James can be trusted to give a fair and credible assessment of where the tool industry is and where it’s going. One of his favorite parts of fixing a car is using different tools for the build, and he’s amazed to see how far the industry has come over the last 20 years. He’s seen how companies, such as Capri Tools, have received their customers’ feedback to improve their products and make a mechanic’s job much easier than ever — a trend he’s benefited from firsthand.
A Midwestern Favorite
From his expertise in cutting-edge industries to his familiarity with all kinds of tools, James has the kind of knowledge that makes you listen when he speaks. When this proud father of six isn’t out on the golf course, cruising on his motorcycle, or enjoying time in nature at his favorite fishing spot, he’s giving you insightful tool reviews with a perspective that few others offer.
