Opening a shop, need pros tool advice.

Yeah just really need a MIG and plasma. I just thought with the prices for a good MIG that it made sense to spend a little more for a bigger machine.

Jamie, what would you reccomend for a GOOD MIG and plasma? I will prolly get a LOTOS plasma cause I have read good things and its 50amps for under $300.

I want a quality welder so Miller is my first choice with Lincoln being second. But what model would be good for 90% of automotive needs?
 
I'll get a picture of all the tools that I own/were gaven to me but I need to pick up. I'll donate it all If you guys cut me in on this shop idea :D
 
dollman0 said:
I would buy a decent ratchet, quality at sears is not what it used to be and the manager can be a prick.
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Oh yeah! I had an old breaker bar snap trying to break a 22r motor lose. Took it in no problem got a nice shiny new one! Got a brand new craftsmen flashlight, it burnt (not joking!) took it back 5 time (again no joke!) almost got kicked out of sears I think, the manger was very rude and basically said it could be stolen, even though I had the receipt and just needed a replacement.


Make it a BIG building and a paint booth and I know a really good body/paintman, oh and move it out of Texas?:D
 
LaserSVT said:
Yeah just really need a MIG and plasma. I just thought with the prices for a good MIG that it made sense to spend a little more for a bigger machine.

Jamie, what would you reccomend for a GOOD MIG and plasma? I will prolly get a LOTOS plasma cause I have read good things and its 50amps for under $300.

I want a quality welder so Miller is my first choice with Lincoln being second. But what model would be good for 90% of automotive needs?
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Bill, I had a nice Lincoln that I would have put on you cheap but I burned it in the garage when the car exploded. I know that don't help now but I never used it really but I can say that it was a damn good welder. Not saying it's better than Miller because I never used Miller. I know it looks rough but after the car fire got done with it, this is what it looked like.

FirePics003.gif


This did look and work like new before that happened. I'm just glad the tanks in there didn't explode.
 
One thing I can recommend is do a business plan!!

Sit down and write it all out. That way you have something that you can hold yourself accountable for and some kind of written proof of the direction that you want to take the company.

In the process of writing the business play you will also find out if this is really a viable option.

If you don't know how to write a proper business plan you can pm me and I'll put you in the right direction or pick up a book on it from the book store, but trust me it is a necessity and it go a long way to telling you if it's profitable or not.
 
Insurance, Insurance, Insurance! Plasma, for making brackets?? I`ve got one, fun toy. Didn`t need it, just wanted it. Hasn`t really replaced my sawzall or cut-off wheels.

It`s always good to have some dirt cheap hand tools too. You never know when you`ll have to bend or grind on a wrench to make it work.
 
rooster1969 said:
Insurance, Insurance, Insurance! Plasma, for making brackets?? I`ve got one, fun toy. Didn`t need it, just wanted it. Hasn`t really replaced my sawzall or cut-off wheels.

It`s always good to have some dirt cheap hand tools too. You never know when you`ll have to bend or grind on a wrench to make it work.
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Customer base needs to start before you rent a shop. This is the most important thing you need to focus on. One of my co-workers and his brother have started a Harley shop out of his garage and in less then a year he's already having to schedule people a week or more out because they have so much work. He's not sure when they're going to get a real shop going and is still working his regular daytime job. Almost all of their work has come from word of mouth and some from handing out business cards.

The advice others have put on here are all good ideas. A business plan(like mentioned below) is great because it will help you plan out a way to become profitable and how much capital is required to start your business and keep it going so that it will stay open long enough to become profitable. Take your time to do it right. If it feels like putting a few words on paper is easy then you're probably not putting enough effort into it. Remember, most new businesses fail because of lack of capital(they run out of money before becoming profitable).

Remember it's better to start out small and need to expand then it is to go too big and fail.
 
I'd look at esab for welders as well they make good equipment. I'd pass on t lye plasma for now and just stick to ol reliable oxy/acc torch for now. I'm with Jamie on the tools look at depot and lowes you can find some good deals on sk tools as well that is all my dad uses and I used to beat the crap out of them when we did demo derby's. I never broke or bent a single one. I wish you the best of luck selling your property and in your future business endeavor.
 
I would stay away from s&k right now. They have recently been bought out and are not warrantying tools at the moment. I would recommend buying a roll around cart like you were looking at and taking what tools you already have along with sappers to start. Have some cash on hand to buy what you need when you need it. After getting started you'll find out what you need and use a lot of pretty fast. Then keep your eyes open for that big used score. Its only a matter of time before you find what you want/need. If your dead set on getting new tools and a box, look into the kobalt line(lowes?). Our matco man says they are made by snap on's vendors. I'm not saying that they are the same or as good, but the stuff I have gotten from them is quality.
 
Oxy/acetaline torches. You'll need em for cutting stuff and warming up stuck/seized fastners.
 
Before you spend dollar one on any tool, new or used, you need to identify your customer base. Who will your primary customers be? Are you going to do oil changes, brake jobs, and all the mundane repairs? If you're going to specialize in modular motors, then you're limiting yourself to a certain customer base.

Be prepared to not make any money in the first year. There's no instant gratification in these businesses.
 
bill we use millermatic 252 migs,
http://www.millerwelds.com/products/mig/product.php?model=M00218 we have 4 of these at work but these are for serious welding, all of ours have aluminum spool gun attachments on them because 90% of the product we put out is aluminum. for basic automotive repairs something like this would be good.

http://www.millerwelds.com/products/mig/product.php?model=M00234

but esab is making really good stuff, specially there compact plasma's those little bastards are tiny, light weight, and some of the cheaper models can dice 1/2 inch steel like butter.
 
Not doing oil changes, thats just dumb. Not gonna want to do all that for $5 which is about what it ammounts to when you charge $18 to match all the other places in town.

Not ONLY doing modulars but that will be the specialty. I plan on being able to buy a dyno and do tunes in the future.
 
Won't you still need a oil recycling tank for when u replace parts to will spill oil out. And when u get asked to change oil when doing a repair job.
 
You will need a barrel to store waste materials in for oil and antifreeze to be compliant with EPA guidelines. This is a link with some general regulations, Texas will be similar because it must be compliant with federal guidelines http://www.epa.state.il.us/small-business/automotive-repair-shops/
EPA, OSHA, Fire Department.... They can all shut you down if you are not a SAFE business
 
1. Don't go over board on the tools you need customers first. It's up to you to decide what is "over board."
2. Definitely do a business plan, it doesn't have to be a whole book but at least figure out who your target market segment is and how you will attract their business. You won't be the only mechanic shop in town so why would customers choose to do their business with you? Figure out a strategy to excel. Do a SWOT analysis.
3. Good luck, my buddy and I have a shop as a side business (click the link in my sig) and it has been a challenge but we do have full time jobs so we haven't had the time or capital to really invest into it.
 
I want to use the electronic billboards they have in town on the main drags. They are not as expensive as the printed ones and can be leased monthly instead of quarterly or yearly.

I am aware of needing proper waste disposal barrels, thats just kinda common sense in this day and age but I have no plans on doing oil changes unless its a car that we are doing other engine work on.
 
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