Rustyman 0 Posted July 10, 2010 Report Share Posted July 10, 2010 Right all you lovely people... I've been having an idea knock around my head for ages but wanted to see if A) What you lot thought Is it stupid C) Is it a viable idea ???So here goes ( laugh go on most of you prob will !! ) ... Most of us are weekend mechanics ( some weekdays if you include Monk etc ...) well if there was garage time availible near to you ( say ten mins away ) would you pay to use the facility ? ... What i mean specifically is, say a small workshop with 1 or 2 hydralic car lifts/ramps & or inspection pit... You could hire out time on one of these and either bring your own tools ( initially ) or pay to use specific tools ( once the business made some money ) that most of us don't have access too everyday.I haven't fleshed out all the parts to it but but just wanted to see if it's a workable idea.All feedback welcome ...Mike Link to post Share on other sites
AJmk2 2 Posted July 10, 2010 Report Share Posted July 10, 2010 I think it would be useful if a big job was being undertaken or even painting the underside but would depend on the rate.My main concern would be if anything went wrong and the car needed to stay longer , id want somewhere secure to leave it.Think it would need to be supervised at all times also.Plus may find its only used after work hours/weekend. Link to post Share on other sites
VR6Gill 1 Posted July 10, 2010 Report Share Posted July 10, 2010 Sounds good to me, i need something like that so i can adjust my coilies as it scrubing a bit too much and cant get a jack under it.Im sure i watched 5th gear some time ago and they showed a company doing something similar... Link to post Share on other sites
bungy 2 Posted July 10, 2010 Report Share Posted July 10, 2010 It's already being done and works quite well. Link to post Share on other sites
craggsy 91 Posted July 10, 2010 Report Share Posted July 10, 2010 Thats what im trying to find, as I saw that 5th gear episode again recently Link to post Share on other sites
bungy 2 Posted July 10, 2010 Report Share Posted July 10, 2010 http://www.pitstartgarage.com/index.html Link to post Share on other sites
craggsy 91 Posted July 10, 2010 Report Share Posted July 10, 2010 Pit start............i was searching for pit stop Link to post Share on other sites
bungy 2 Posted July 10, 2010 Report Share Posted July 10, 2010 Been mulling the idea around myself for something to do when I finish in the Navy. Only 2 years until I retire. A community garage was one of my list of options. None of those near me and tool hire would be a good companion income. Link to post Share on other sites
Rustyman 0 Posted July 10, 2010 Author Report Share Posted July 10, 2010 Bugger there goes another plan ... beaten to it again... Never saw 5th Gear. Is this just London though no where up north for us Monkey's ???? Link to post Share on other sites
craggsy 91 Posted July 10, 2010 Report Share Posted July 10, 2010 Nope nothing I know of for proper people mate...just the southern shandy drinking nancy boys Link to post Share on other sites
Rustyman 0 Posted July 10, 2010 Author Report Share Posted July 10, 2010 Ok well maybe there's still something to look into up north... Thanks ! Link to post Share on other sites
bungy 2 Posted July 10, 2010 Report Share Posted July 10, 2010 The idea is sound enough with 1 ramp being able to earn £80 per day. I know there would be losses as a ramp would not always be in use but with multiple ramps the figures soon start to add up. 5 ramps for 5 days = £2000 per week. Roughly £8000 per month and then to remove losses. Even if the ramps were only in use 50% of the time that is still £4000 without any labour. Specialist tools like engine hoists and other such like could all bolster income. If opened at a weekend which I would think is the busiest time the numbers look much better. All depends on the cost of the unit. Link to post Share on other sites
legvw 0 Posted July 10, 2010 Report Share Posted July 10, 2010 Ramps, oh what bliss! If i wn the lotto tonight i'l buy a workshop and all the toys, but only for use by us southerners though, no hairy northern lightwieghts. ;-) Link to post Share on other sites
bungy 2 Posted July 10, 2010 Report Share Posted July 10, 2010 Top of my lottery wish list, a 2 post ramp. lol Link to post Share on other sites
VR6Gill 1 Posted July 10, 2010 Report Share Posted July 10, 2010 Rustyman - to be honest i think 1 is never enough and for all car enthusiasts i think it would be a cracking idea. Link to post Share on other sites
craggsy 91 Posted July 10, 2010 Report Share Posted July 10, 2010 Top of my lottery wish list' date=' a 2 post ramp. lol[/quote']Id buy a unit and put 2 lifts in so that I can do what ever job I want....oh might let mates use it lol Link to post Share on other sites
xyber 1 Posted July 10, 2010 Report Share Posted July 10, 2010 I also considered it about 12 months ago. The local British Gas depot closed and their double workshop with 2 ramps and fully plumbed in compressed air lines, canteen and mezzanine office came up for sale. £35000!!!!Problem with it is you'd need to charge around £10 an hour for ramp time, but in general people a pikey fuckers and would rather struggle with a widow maker jack. Plus the people who would be likely to use it, tend to have tools and are used to working on the drive, so they wouldn't botherI only bother getting ramp time now, because my mate has a garage and he let's me use the ramp when it's empty and I give him beer tokens Link to post Share on other sites
The Monk 50 Posted July 10, 2010 Report Share Posted July 10, 2010 Naa Paul, we're too hardcore for ya.I've said that since I had my first car....my own unit, 2 or 3 ramps ect ect. Link to post Share on other sites
xyber 1 Posted July 10, 2010 Report Share Posted July 10, 2010 And imagine the insurance costs and all round aggro to cover any numpty off the street stood under a car on a ramp they have no training on, using sharp things to fit jom coilovers badly to a Saco that should really be scrapped and then crashing on the way home Link to post Share on other sites
The Monk 50 Posted July 10, 2010 Report Share Posted July 10, 2010 That's why a supervisor would be needed lol.Still, I'd still need insurance to have a random plum near a ramp. Link to post Share on other sites
Rustyman 0 Posted July 10, 2010 Author Report Share Posted July 10, 2010 What have i started !!! Lol .... Link to post Share on other sites
Recommended Posts