Milwaukee has a place that will rent you space to do your auto repairs yourself (http://www.handsongarage.com/index.html (http://www.handsongarage.com/index.html)) which provides tools, space and other assistance to do-it-yourselfers working on cars. Any place like this in the metro area? Sure would be nice for those of us that live among the concrete canyons.
I have heard tale of a place for military folks at Bolling like that....but not anywhere else....that is why we were discussing the Garage Clinics in a previous thread...
Carp! That reminds me... I was going to schedule something of an inaugural clinic at my place. Checking calendar...
I wish I had a space like that too. I wish I could reserve a garage bay for a specified number of days in order to complete a project. There is nothing I have heard of other than this place called My Friend's Garage ;D
Quick, I need an investor! I feel a business opportunity coming on.
lol, yeah I had the same thought. I heard they have a lot of those on the west coast.
Quote from: nostawmij on July 16, 2010, 01:51:11 PM
Quick, I need an investor! I feel a business opportunity coming on.
I know a few investors. And I know a market analyst who owes me a favor. If you're serious...
My gut tells me it's an iffy prospect based on my own frosty view of the DC demographic. But I'm wrong all the time. It's a wicked idea, though.
Quote from: zooom on July 16, 2010, 11:13:02 AM
I have heard tale of a place for military folks at Bolling like that....but not anywhere else...
Shhhhhh... That's our dirty little secret.
Talked to the owner of a shop a few days ago about me renting a corner where I could do some serious work on my bike. He stated that his main issue with that would be the insurance costs (about $1,800 per year per mechanic). So having someone rent a spot for a couple months would have to cover the yearly insurance & make him some money.
I think people in the DC area aren't that interested in do it yourself motorcycle maintenance, and the ones who are move out to the 'burbs where they can have a house with a garage.
I have a friend with a barn out in Upper Marlboro where I do my serious bike and car work. Plus when I'm done I get to shower and jump in the pool :)
Probably the best thing is to find someone with a nice big garage and bribe them with beer! [drink] [drink] [drink]
Quote from: DRKWNG on July 16, 2010, 07:31:14 PM
Shhhhhh... That's our dirty little secret.
it'll stay it as long as it is for Military only AND at Bolling...LOL
I used to have a customer who bought a LOT of parts from me for when he was doing a front end swap and then some on his dub and using the space there...
Quote from: mrEnke on July 17, 2010, 02:08:20 AM
Talked to the owner of a shop a few days ago about me renting a corner where I could do some serious work on my bike. He stated that his main issue with that would be the insurance costs (about $1,800 per year per mechanic). So having someone rent a spot for a couple months would have to cover the yearly insurance & make him some money.
I think people in the DC area aren't that interested in do it yourself motorcycle maintenance, and the ones who are move out to the 'burbs where they can have a house with a garage.
I have a friend with a barn out in Upper Marlboro where I do my serious bike and car work. Plus when I'm done I get to shower and jump in the pool :)
Probably the best thing is to find someone with a nice big garage and bribe them with beer! [drink] [drink] [drink]
it isn't just the insurance liabilities...but that figures in also...usually the other things that figure in or happen are as follows
->that the guy using the space also helps himself to shop materials
-> deters/interrupts shop employees from doing their jobs when he needs help
->other customers ask questions of the person not working there and think they are talking to a shop employee
->other customers start asking if they can do the same thing ( especially since not all customers have the same work ethic and abilities)
and that is just what I can think of right off the top of my head....
I can honestly say on a few occasions I have offered up my space and time and materials and tools at my place in the past to help people out and have never had a problem and never asked for much in return...gotten beer and fireworks and other bits of gratitude and that is fine...and I would be more than happy to host again...AFTER I move and set up the garage...so that wouldn't be till probably September to be honest...
Quote from: zooom on July 17, 2010, 03:54:47 AM
it'll stay it as long as it is for Military only AND at Bolling...LOL
Well, technically almost all military bases have auto hobby shops where you can rent bays for discount prices.