Self Service/DIY Garage - what would you want in it?

[anonymous-user]

So, if you had a DIY or Self-Service Garage available local to you, what would you want to see in terms of equipment?

Four Poster Ramps.
Hydraulic Press
Transmmission Jack

I'm putting some work into costing this idea out as a business idea in my local area.

All replies gratefully received on this!

Cheers!

coanda

[DJC]

A lift, a decent set of tools available, a sensible price plan that makes it worth not taking it to a garage and warm enough not to freeze my balls off in the winter months.

[thinfourth2]

Gas axe and someone to use it for you as they are hugely useful but can cause a wee bit of collateral damage when in the hands of a numpty

[Oldandslow]

Compressor
Waste oil vacuum for speedy oil change (keeps it off your floors too)
Wet and dry Vacuum cleaner
Bench with vice
Hoist (bit overboard for small jobs and servicing)

and for the Clarksons a selection of large hammers.

[Superhoop]

4 poster ramps? As in multiple 4 posters?

One 4 post ramp maybe, but 2 posters are far more useable

[Fordo]

A first aid kit!


The amount of times i've grazed my knuckles working on my cars......



- perhaps also, a supply of rubber gloves (no jokes please), and a ready supply of swarfega. No-one likes to turn up to work on monday with ingrained car dirt in your skin

[Ricky_M]

I don't think tools would be a good idea. I wouldn't want to pay to use tools that will probably be damaged and mistreated by others.

All I would want is a decent ramp, good lighting and somewhere to dispose of old parts and oil.

[Big News]

A tyre changer. Sod having to pay £10 a corner for some Kwick Fit minky to change them for me.

[Perd Hapley]

Ricky_M said:

I don't think tools would be a good idea. I wouldn't want to pay to use tools that will probably be damaged and mistreated by others.

All I would want is a decent ramp, good lighting and somewhere to dispose of old parts and oil.

I agree, I'd rather bring my own tools. But if someone within 5/10 miles opened a place renting time on a two post lift, I'd end up paying his mortgage. Hate jobs underneath cars.

I guess being able to rent unusual equipment would be good, like an exhaust gas analyser.

[AndrewW-G]

This has also been discussed in the Northwest section . . .

Liability insurance was an issue, as was ensuring that you have secure storage for cars that are immobilised by their owners (think how many times you’ve been working on your car, only to have to stop and wait till you have a part that you didn’t think you’d have to replace)

[davepoth]

Storage indeed, and possibly an on-call mechanic.

[Cock Womble 7]

AndrewW-G said:

Liability insurance was an issue, as was ensuring that you have secure storage for cars that are immobilised by their owners (think how many times you’ve been working on your car, only to have to stop and wait till you have a part that you didn’t think you’d have to replace)

Good point.

I have had many "bks, I'll have to finish this one tomorrow" moments.

[steveo3002]

id want it to be open when i wanted it , as in sunday afternoon and weeknigt evenings

or offer cheaper rates for daytimes /off peak

maybe some safe storage on site if the car cant be back on the road that day

[Defcon5]

Autodata/diagnostic equipment.
To be located next to GSF/ECP

[rottie102]

Just go there and have a look:
http://www.pitstartgarage.com/

[mrmr96]

Oil and odds and sods on sale?

(In case you find you need a nut/bolt/washer/screw that you don't have with you.)

[freecar]

I've though alot about this as I have a sloping drive and couldn't have a ramp if I wanted.

Problem is as others have mentioned is starting a job only to end up immobilised and taking up valuable ramp space (possib;e costing a daily fee too) while you wait for parts. The specialist eguipment that are necessary when working on cars and the instruction of their use. The tools supply and keeping them in one piece and where they belong.

Unfortunately the problems are many and the solutions few.

The only way I can see it working well is to have a qualified mechanic working there to instruct in use of tools and equipment, he's able to solve problems and rack brains with and look after the ;place and ensure safety and honesty.

[steveo3002]

maybe some kind of rental for specialist tools like cam belt locking stuff and what not , diagnositc gear available to use, decent brake bleeder gear

and think how its going to work if 2 customers turn up both needing to use the same tool /machine , customer B isnt want to pay £xx an hour to sit and wait while customer A bumbles about

good range of oil and consumables avail , and id guess youd have a connection to the local factors that will deliver there

maybe a tyre machine that a member of staff can operate?

[chevy-stu]

I've used Pitstart (link a couple of posts previously) and it is very handy..

decent 4 post lifts, tool hire, oil drain pans etc... Only downside is it seemed very busy with mobile mechanics doing big jobs when i've been there, and lots of ramps seemed tied up with 'projects'...

Great idea if you cAn get the premises and ramps cheap enough...