An idea that has been running through my mind for a while -
All of us builders face at one point or another during our build with the folowing question - "do I pay some shop to do ________ (insert whatever it is here) or do I buy the tooling and build it myself?"
This question mostly arises when that something requires an expensive tool.
My idea is to form a database of tools that some forum members have.
This of course isn't about a 4.5" grinder but thing like tube benders, lathes, mills and other relatively high dollar machinery.
This will allow forum members to offer some small time services for a few bucks to offset the cost of the tools, while the guys that pay for the service may save a few bucks over going to a shop and know that their hard earned goes to help other forum members.
In short - everyone wins!
However, in the slightly longer version, I suggest limiting your services to things that you're 100% sure of the quality of your product.
For example, I personally can work my tube bender pretty well but I'll be hesitant offering a fully bent roll cage in parts, especially if it includes compound bends like my roll cage..
I'd be happy to someone who's local to with bending his cage on my bender for a lot less than the cost of a shop, all while the guy is there with me to see how things will turn out ahead of time.
And to round it all up - if it's some non structural part like the 4 bends of the rear tubes, I'll be happy to bend them for you and ship them out.
In order to make sure we're all happy with the way things work and no one starts chopping prices (I mean c'mon guys, let's keep it fun) we may even want to establish a standard pricing for certain services.
Remember, every time that you take a project for someone else to perform you tend to judge them on a professional basis, remember that most forum members are only doing this for hobby, just like you.
Keep it nice and work out issues that may arise in a friendly manner otherwise this will die quickly.
If you expect super professional results - pay the full price at a shop.
Last but not least -
This attempt to create a little tool network is only on a gentleman basis between the users of this forum and by no means puts any sort of liability on the forum or its' owner.
So, if it sounds like a good idea to you please list the following -
1. Your location
2. Tools that you have
3. Services that you may offer - please note if only locally or shipping is okay, also note if you have certain limitations
I'll start -
1. Van nuys, just north of Los angeles.
2. Tube bender and tube notcher. Currently have dies for 1" and 1.5" tubes.
3. Roll cage or roll bar bending (local only), non structural stuff shipped within the US for whatever shipping and packaging costs.
Moti
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Most of the tools I listed need to be borrowed. I will be willing to notch/drill parts that are already marked.
