More room to play

admin

i got tired of fighting myself while trying to get some welding done in the 22'x32' shop on my farm so i signed the lease on a 32'x50' shop in town today that's zoned light industrial. not a giant leap but it won't have all the extra crap associated with farm maintenance so it should be a good jump up. i am moving all my metal working equipment to the new shop except for 1 o/a set and the trailer mounted Miller AEAD 200le with HF tig set up. i am buying a Miller 140 and a TA 181i with spool gun, tig torch and pedal for the new shop and a TA 181i with no tig set up for the farm shop so i won't be stripped at the farm. the bulk of anything i do will be done in town. i don't plan on any heavy fab work. i talked with my insurance carrier (SF) for my blanket farm policy and explained everything i have in mind and they agreed to to just extend the farm policy to cover the new shop as just and extension of location at no extra cost. not sure i want to do that but for now it is doable. i laid the same plan out to the property management and they are good with it and it is agreed in the contract. aside from my work in the shop the plan is, to rent shop and equipment time for folks that know how to weld but don't have the equipment with my set limits as to what is welded. also not "teach" for insurance reasons but "coach" no more then 2 people at a time (more 1 on 1 time) in basic welding of different processes that they choose. for the newbies i will supply everything for them while i am "coaching" them. all they need is a body, a brain and the want to learn. for the guys/gals that use the shop for their own projects i supply everything but the metal they need but i will have some metals on hand for them to purchase at extra cost. the plus is my metal supplier is half a city block away from my shop. since i am single and my farming is flexible time wise, to start i plan to make myself and the shop available 24-7 to meet peoples schedules within reason. actual move in per lease date is march 1 but i start moving in early when the power is pulled in and set where i want it. should be no later than the 20th of this month. any foresight, suggestions or shot holes you kind or unkind  folks can toss my way would be much appreciated.   P.S. i will be talking to a shyster for simple contracts to cover me that people will sign before a switch is flipped or a torch is lit.Last edited by jbmprods; 02-08-2012 at 03:53 AM.225NT bobcatAEAD200LEScott 125mm175, mm252 w 30A, PT225mm211, TA 181iHyper Therm 380, cut master 529100X & XX, Digital Elite6 Victor setssmith little torch, meco midget kalamazoo band sawsteel max saw evoulution circular saw
Reply:My guess is you would have been money ahead just building a larger shop on your own property instead of leasing. Those coming lease payments could just as easily been spent on your own property where they would have built up value/equity.While you will meet some great people along the line, be prepared to have the average equipment/shop renter use and abuse your equipment, plop their projects in the middle of your work area for weeks at a time and treat you like the village idiot if you say anything about it. Conversely, while you may luck out and have great renters, the people they talk to may just find out about a wonderful set-up to rip off some night.I hope I'm wrong about everything and wish you the best of luck.Lincoln PrecisionTig 275Miller 251Miller DialArc 250Bridgeport millHossfeld bender & diesLogan shaperJet 14 X 40 latheSouth Bend 9" 'C'Hypertherm 900Ellis 3000 band saw21"Royersford ExcelsiorTwo shops, still too many tools.
Reply:Grats on the new shop!I've been considering upgrading to a shop away from the homestead lately myself.  Ah, growing pains.  What an adventure!Buy American, or don't whine when you end up on the bread line.
Reply:Originally Posted by WyoRoyWhile you will meet some great people along the line, be prepared to have the average equipment/shop renter use and abuse your equipment, plop their projects in the middle of your work area for weeks at a time and treat you like the village idiot if you say anything about it. Conversely, while you may luck out and have great renters, the people they talk to may just find out about a wonderful set-up to rip off some night.
Reply:in todays day and time, i would be concerned with "coaching" someone on how to weld and then that someone using there new found skills to build trailers, weld lifting eyes to something, gas tanks and then something happens and therre pointing the finger at you.  cover your *** 1000%.    i hate to go along with everyone else, but when dealing with the general population, before long you will be dealing with the general population.  it sounds like a great idea, if your customeers will cooperate.  good luck
Reply:The idea is a very nice one. As well equiped as I am, I still lack some basic equipment that I just don't have room to store. For example, horizontal band saw, lathe, mill, brake, etc. So I for one would be very grateful and respectful for use of someone's equipment.Just remember, I've been told that you cannot sign away your right to sue. Meaning, a signature on a piece of paper is about as usless as the POS in the White House.Good luck, break a leg!!!"Where's Stick man????????" - 7A749"SHHHHHH!! I sent him over to snag that MIC-4 while tbone wasn't looking!" - duaneb55"I have bought a few of Tbone's things unlike Stick-Man who helps himself" - TozziWelding"Stick-man"
Reply:thanks for the reply's and advice guys. i have been in my own businesses for the last 40 years dealing directly with the public on many levels so i'm am not a new comer to POS users and abusers. as for the building a new shop on the farm, that is another option that that i looked at. i really don't want people having access to even more valuables than what will be in the shop. as stated/implied in my post i will be close on sight and nobody will be in the shop with out close supervision. as for projects being left in the shop in my way, it won't happen.... as stated i will have the say on what is welded or brought into the shop. no cars, trucks or bridges etc. you bring it in that day you take it home that night. for equipment abuse, unintentional abuse in even the smallest amount will be a one time warning. intentional will be a get your azz out now. as for the security, the complex where the shop is located had several to choose from. i chose the one next to a close friend that lives on sight in a house that butts up to the side of my shop. he is the complex maintenance and security man.  my shop also has no windows for easy access. other security measures will also be in place since i am a total distrusting person. at no point in time will there be any more than 2 people in or working in the shop other than myself and my 2 boys. i don't plan on making any real money on this venture. if i break even on the lease, utilities, ins and a little to offset equipment costs from the other people, that will make anything i or my boys do basically pure profit. i have already determined this to be a 1 year trial to see how it goes. decisions will be made at that point. if it doesn't pan out then plan B is to build a new shop on the farm for my boys and i or preferably buy a piece of property with shop or to build one. the end result hopefully is to get a shop going that my boys can step into and make a go of it. the exposure they get in this venture should make or break them. if they make, GREAT. if they break, it can't be said that dad didn't try. anymore ideas good or bad are welcome. i have slapped this idea around for quite awhile but since i'm used to being slapped have at it. thanks again guys.225NT bobcatAEAD200LEScott 125mm175, mm252 w 30A, PT225mm211, TA 181iHyper Therm 380, cut master 529100X & XX, Digital Elite6 Victor setssmith little torch, meco midget kalamazoo band sawsteel max saw evoulution circular saw
Reply:Originally Posted by jbmprodsbut since i'm used to being slapped have at it .
Reply:I would build onto or a new building. If at all posable.It looks like you are throwing money away renting. And whatever happens you want have to move.I hate moveing.
Reply:Originally Posted by Stick-manGood luck, break a leg!!!
Reply:Originally Posted by tbone550Still got some more ribs that haven't been broken yet too, don't you?  With friends like Sticky and I, who needs enemies?
Reply:Originally Posted by jbmprodsheck Mr T you guys are better than comedy central and it don't cost me anything except medical bills. oh by the way i posted your mug shot at the new shop complex with instructions to apprehend and beat severely.nothing personal just minor preventative maintenance.