Re: DIY Garage Idea
 

"disallow" <loewen_t at yahoo.ca @> wrote in message
news:78412ce27abfc97297f3195bbb1746ae@localhost.ta lkaboutautos.com...
> Hey there,
>
> so i am doin this school project, i have to come up with a
> proposal for a Do it yourself garage. I'm in Canada.
>
> most mechanics think this is a stupendously bad idea, as it
> will just create more probs than it solves for the average
> consumer, but I think that if we had a facility that
> provided the right tools and resources, it could be
> feasible.
>
> Also, I doubt there would be enough demand to support a
> DIY Only shop, so one would probably need to dedicate
> some bays to regular automotive service for customers who
> want it.
>
> My question is, not being an experienced mechanic, what
> machinery and special tools would be required to make a
> shop like this run? I'm not looking for all the answers,
> just looking for some ideas I may have overlooked. Also,
> approx cost figures would be helpful...
>
> Thanks
> t
>

I regretted not being able to use the businesses (2 in our area, IIRC) that
offered the service in our area back when I was young. I didn't have many
tools, or much money, or experience, and at least one of the companies even
offered advice from a resident mechanic. The companies were conventional
service organizations and tried the DIY thing, but neither lasted very long
before going back to the traditional way.

I don't know for sure what caused the pull-back, but I'd heard of cars being
on the lift (which was charged out by the hour) for way too long and choking
the revenue flow.

Mike

Re: DIY Garage Idea
 

"disallow" <loewen_t at yahoo.ca @> wrote in message
news:78412ce27abfc97297f3195bbb1746ae@localhost.ta lkaboutautos.com...
> Hey there,
>
> so i am doin this school project, i have to come up with a
> proposal for a Do it yourself garage. I'm in Canada.
>
> most mechanics think this is a stupendously bad idea, as it
> will just create more probs than it solves for the average
> consumer, but I think that if we had a facility that
> provided the right tools and resources, it could be
> feasible.
>
> Also, I doubt there would be enough demand to support a
> DIY Only shop, so one would probably need to dedicate
> some bays to regular automotive service for customers who
> want it.
>
> My question is, not being an experienced mechanic, what
> machinery and special tools would be required to make a
> shop like this run? I'm not looking for all the answers,
> just looking for some ideas I may have overlooked. Also,
> approx cost figures would be helpful...
>
> Thanks
> t
>

I regretted not being able to use the businesses (2 in our area, IIRC) that
offered the service in our area back when I was young. I didn't have many
tools, or much money, or experience, and at least one of the companies even
offered advice from a resident mechanic. The companies were conventional
service organizations and tried the DIY thing, but neither lasted very long
before going back to the traditional way.

I don't know for sure what caused the pull-back, but I'd heard of cars being
on the lift (which was charged out by the hour) for way too long and choking
the revenue flow.

Mike

Re: DIY Garage Idea
 

On Sat, 08 Jan 2005 20:39:38 -0500, "disallow" <loewen_t at yahoo.ca
@> wrote:

>Hey there,
>
>so i am doin this school project, i have to come up with a
>proposal for a Do it yourself garage. I'm in Canada.
>
>most mechanics think this is a stupendously bad idea, as it
>will just create more probs than it solves for the average
>consumer, but I think that if we had a facility that
>provided the right tools and resources, it could be
>feasible.
>
>Also, I doubt there would be enough demand to support a
> DIY Only shop, so one would probably need to dedicate
> some bays to regular automotive service for customers who
> want it.
>
>My question is, not being an experienced mechanic, what
>machinery and special tools would be required to make a
> shop like this run? I'm not looking for all the answers,
> just looking for some ideas I may have overlooked. Also,
>approx cost figures would be helpful...

The United States military has an automobile hobby shop at almost
every single major base that I've ever been to, and I've been
affiliated with them for more than 25 years in one form or another.
They have been steadily increasing their prices, and have been
shutting down othe things, like woodworking hobby shops, because of
the tremendous cost of running them. They are shutting down other
things because of the huge outpouring of hate and discontent which
would erupt if they were to shut down the auto hobby shops, so they
are buying time right now. I would say that on the individual level,
you would have a hard time. Sorry for being a killjoy.

Nate