Good mechanics familiar with large industrial machinery are hard to find. Research what the corporations that make the equipment charge for a company-man service call (hourly rate plus perdiem plus travel). Set your rates somewhere between 30-40% lower (you can raise them over the years to come). Start contacting, by phone and followup visit, those that use the same or similar machinery/electronics (such as metal fabrication shops). The best revenge is taking lemons and making your own lemonaide. Get started today and don’t look back. The Lord will provide. Best wishes.
Starting his own business is an excellent idea. In theory you should never burn your bridges, but he is past that point. The last two companies that laid me off due to the economy are using my freelance service. I have ten other companies doing the same.
I make more and am my own boss. No stress and other than deadlines. I never get yelled at by the boss and if something goes wrong I know who to blame.
I was leaning toward reporting the jerk, but what is that going to really solve? He should forgive, forget and move on with his life. If he gets buried in negatives things it will just drag him down.