DIY Garage Idea

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

 

It's been tried.
Call an insurance carrier about liability coverage.

 

Thanks for the reply.

Insurance is definitely a big concern when it comes to an
idea such as this. Even though we Canadians would like to
think we are a less 'litigous' society than our friends
down south, this is becoming less and less true.

There are some of these operations popping up here in Canada, we found one
in Hamilton, colorado, and a couple other places, including here in
winnipeg. Unfortunately, none of them wanna talk to us cuz they think we
are the competition, which we aren't since this is just a school project.
oh well, and thats why I am here tryin to rustle up some different ideas
regarding this proposal...

Thanks
t

 

I think that's a great idea.
For woodworking, for instance, woodworking clubs exists where one can
use the tools and shop.
Here in CT we have a maritime museum where one can actually build your
own dory with guidance. Clearly, stuff like this exists and can be
done.

One of the harder issues to deal with would be to make it a safe
environment, as one wouldn't want anyone to get hurt.
Also, you would have to have knowledgeable personnel there, both for
safety and obviously guidance. That could be harder, people that
actually know cars and are good teachers are not really dime a dozen.
Good luck with it.
Remco

 

You have to think about what average people usually have done and could (or
even want to) do themselves if they had the facilities. Things like oil
changes, radiator flush, transmission flush, brake job, new tires, tire
rotate/balance, mufflers, struts, suspension raise/lower... you get the
idea... keep it simple.

+ a roving mechanic to ensure that people load their vehicles on lifts
correctly and guide them on proper procedure.
+ all equipment necessary for tasks listed above.

If I had the opportunity to do some of the things while having someone
ensure I did them correctly, I would try it, at least once.

-keith
tallahassee, fl

 

Most military bases here have or had an Auto Club, where military members
can go to do their own work on their vehicles. Also, they did allow
civilians to join the auto clubs, I'm not sure if they still have them
everywhere, but there's one in Halifax.

 

The first issue is "who is the market"?

The average motorist is not interested in this, because they have no
knowledge or desire to do the work themselves. The market is the DIY guy
(yes it mostly guys), but the next question is what do these guys want to be
able to do?

Basic maintenance, oil changes etc? Maybe, but when you add the cost of bay
rental, and time off work (unless your plan is for a weekend available
shop), it always cheaper to pay your local garage to do it.

Major overhaul work eg clutches, transmission replacements, engine rebuilds?
Maybe ... These things often require days of effort on the part of a DIYer,
or have the car on the hoist for extended periods while the major components
are sourced or repaired.

Custom modification or performance upgrades. This is the most likely market,
as much of this work is not difficult, but requires the car to be on a hoist
and the right tools.

Main Problem: tools and equipment get broken and "lost" (read stolen). Its
necessary to have a strict control on the sign-out of special tools (all
tools really) so that a sign-in is done.
Second Problem: the job always takes longer than expected.


I have local garage where I can rent a bay. I had some basic work done there
on my modified sports sedan and the owner came to realize I knew what I was
doing. When the time came to swap the engine and transmission, I asked if he
would do the job, as I did not have the heavy lift facilities . His response
was "did I want to rent a bay for a few days?" The job took me four 8 hour
days, as I had to replace the front cross member and fabricate some new
engine mount brackets and other stuff. I had estimated two days, and I've
been working on cars for 35 years. I worked alone with the occasional hand
from the other mechanics.

Point is, very few shops provide this facility, mainly because of liability
insurance issues, and secondly because of the wide range of abilities of the
DIYers. Thirdly, it has to be substantially cheaper than paying someone to
do the same work, and still be able to make a profit.

Stewart DIBBS

 

The US Air Force used to have auto hobby shops on most bases.
I used them a lot,owning a 64 Triumph Herald and then a 68 Ford Cortina GT.

They were very popular.However,we in the military did not have to worry
about insurance and liability concerns.

 

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

 

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