Thread: Nutters in the workshop

When I was buying this farm, the real estate agent was driving me around in his 4wd. We got bogged pretty badly down a huge hill. One of the neighbours came down with his tractor to get us out. When he was done and on his way, his parting words with the real estate agent were 'no problem mate, I drink Carlton Cold!'

Beer buys a lot of favours in my book!

Years ago when I was working as a welder I had a friend who was always bringing things around for me to weld/repair. I never charged him because he was a friend (supposedly). One day he brought in a rather ornate brass lamp stand that his grandfather had given him, the leg (scrolls) of which had developed a crack. I didn’t have oxy at the time only a stick, so told him as I didn’t have oxy I couldn’t help him. I pointed him in the direction of a business that could and advised him it would probably cost a couple of bucks. In a huff, he collected his lamp and left, his parting remark was ‘a good welder could fix it’. I think people assume if you don’t charge it’s because your not good enough to..

Emanon your on the money with that comment.... I have found when you don't charge, a lot of people really undervalue your level of help. It's a shame as I actually feel it's important to help when you can.

I have also had takers come into my shop in the past. Once I worked it out, I would either not fix what ever it was straight away or I would describe the process to them so they could fix it. I would wait until they reminded me several times and I would always reply with 'sorry mate been flat out with work, but I will get on to it when I get a chance'.
That last comment is not a lie BTW! Anyone with a workshop owns it because they have many, many project they want to complete!

I think workshop jobs are vastly undervalued by the people who ask for them and I trace the cause directly to the easy mass availability of manufactured goods from China. People have gotten used to buying stuff made in China at government subsidized slave labor rates and expect that everything should be so cheap. Next time somebody balks at your request for reimbursement for materials ask them how they value their own time.

I don't get many visitors, but those that do, are invited. If someone wants a job done, then they can assist me by tailing out or cleaning up or beer.

I don't mind members of the forum or the Woodwork club coming by, especially newer members that are eager to learn.

On the subject of costs, MBGitW wanted a raised garden bed. It was close to $200 in materials and I had the fasteners and the tools. I must have done a Bodgy job, as a few weeks later she asked for a second. Another $200+ as I had to purchase the fasteners this time. My daughter casually asked how much one would cost . . . and I told her the price of materials and the price that a mate was quoted, the difference was over 200%

Thankfully I don't get many visitors. (It may be my deodorant ). I do get someone wanting something made/fixed though. Well a neighbour up the road that I do some work for (And it is always has to be done in a hurry) dropped in before Christmas with a set of dear antlers mounted on a board. There was a few deep rub marks on the antlers that she wanted to be gotten rid of. Hmmm... never worked with antlers before. I kept thinking "finger nails"- file, scrape, sand??? I ended up using a Logier Rasp (such a good tool) then some sand paper then finished off with pencil lead rubbed into the freshly exposed area..... DONE. The neighbour was happy. My daughter asked what the neighbour wanted but immediately said I hope you charged her. Well I didn't charge her for the half hour it took. I figure "what goes around comes around". The neighbour had me up there a number of times through the year and I felt a little guilty had I charged her.
The scenario does raise the question...."should I charge everyone that wants something done or not?" I can see 2 trains of thought and both are of equal value.
A mate is a mechanic and we have an agreement where we "help each other" when doing things for each other. The agreement may be a descent morning tea or lunch or come back for a baked dinner. That works but it may not work for a lot of people.

I have an old 160 amp SIP welder that I bought around 1980 which I replaced with a CIG DC welder not too long ago, so the SIP is of no use any more (too dam heavy as well). It weighs a ton so I can't put it in the bin and the tip wants a fortune for me to dump it, so I advertised it for sale for $20.

Not many calls, but those that do want to know if it comes with a helmet, gloves, electrodes and so on. One caller, who (may have) caught me at a bad time, asked if the price was negotiable to which I responded ' if you can't afford $30 for a perfectly good welder mate, you certainly won't be able to afford the electrodes.' Another wanted welding lessons thrown in. Another turkey coming today, I wonder what he'll want for $30?

I just had a thought, the scrap yard would probably pay a few bucks for it, such a shame though, it's an excellent welder, works as well as it did 35 years ago! If I have to do that though, I'll take to it with a sledge first.

I don't charge my neighbours, because I feel if I did, they could complain to the local council about the noise and say I was running a business. Just because I'm busy all the time, doesn't mean I'm running a business, my wallet proves it.
A lot of the noise is either grinders, saws or routers, as you know they are not quiet.
Kryn

Seems the line of the thread changed a bit.

Visitors are always welcome regardless unless it becomes annoying and interferes with what it is I am doing. I have stated previously on the forum about one neighbour and his wife would, due to the garage facing the street with direct access. They wander up the drive and straight in with no consideration of what I am doing, safety issues mine or theirs. I finally put an end to it and stated that if I was using machines they were NOT to come near at all . One moments distraction could mean disaster for the project, machine them or me I have all my digits and wish to remain that way.

My postie always stops in if the door is open and we have a chat but at least I hear him pull up not sneak up.

As for work for friends or neighbours some insist I charge, others feel they have the right to ask without the costs of even materials used. It was this last type which changed my ideals of "No worries No charge". I do not drink so beer isn't an option, however on limited income what I buy is usually for my personal use. I now state prior doing the job I have to charge for materials etc or they buy them I charge for replacement value of say a bandsaw blade, electrodes, or a tool, the look of is enough to show me they care not to pay.

Forum & club members always welcome and a few have been here, some often, some not for some time (not point the finger Pat ) I have been to some of their sheds also .

Originally Posted by wheelinround

Seems the line of the thread changed a bit.

Visitors are always welcome regardless unless it becomes annoying and interferes with what it is I am doing. I have stated previously on the forum about one neighbour and his wife would due to the garage facing the street with direct access. They wander up the drive and straight in with no consideration of what I am doing, safety issues mine or theirs. I finally put an end to it and stated that if I was using machines they were NOT to come near at all . One moments distraction could mean disaster for the project, machine them or me I have all my digits and wish to remain that way.

My postie always stops in if the door is open and we have a chat but at least i hear him pull up not sneak up.

As for work for friends or neighbours some insist I charge others feel they have the right to ask without the costs of even materials used it was this last type which changed my ideals of "No worries No charge". I do not drink so beer isn't an option, however on limited income what I buy is usually for my personal use I now state prior doing the job I have to charge for materials etc or they buy them I charge for replacement value of say a bandsaw blade, electrodes, or a too, the look of is enough to show me they care not to pay.

Forum & club members always welcome and a few have been here, some often, some not for some time (not point the finger Pat ) I have been to some of their sheds also .

Visitors are fine, nutters, or other annoyances are not.

I've gotten the shocked look too from a neighbor that asked me to weld a cast iron part to a hardened steel part, both chrome plated by the way so a bit of grinding too. I asked for $10 to cover the cost of a couple rods of nickel electrode that currently retails at >$500 per 10 lb. tube and from the look on the persons face you'd have thought I asked for one of their kidneys.

Hi,

I don't get nutters per say but I do get my youngest two sons - 2 and 4 - who often come into my garage. It makes it interesting because they generally don't wear shoes, clothes seem to be optional and no PPE. I can't really leave anything out: tools or the job/project layout because they move everything. I have multiple off/on switches for my machinery which I have to turn off - before turning mains power on for the lathe or mill I have to check it's turned off at the machine first. And when I finish I really have to clean up the swarf or sharpies as it's commonly referred to here so little feet don't get cut. My oldest sons have no interest at all in the workshop unless they want me to fix something. Hopefully the youngest will still want to help dad ''work in the workshop'' when they get older.

Ben.

That's funny, my wife is always walking into the shed only to hobble out a couple of minutes later yelling, ouch, ouch, ouch.

That will teach her a lesson, doe's she go into the shed bare footed, or with Japanese safety shoes??
I think the main important thing is, what's she doing there in the first place!!!!!!
I'm always getting told about the swarf coming out of my Trailer, the dogs might get it in their feet.
Kryn

And that's why women have small feet, it's so they can stand closer to the sink..............in the kitchen where they belong!

Ken