20 replies to this topic

[Icey]

I’ve had a ‘computer desk job’ for knocking on 24 years. In that time I’ve considered doing the same a couple of times but…

Easy one first - tools. Like others have said, you’re way off. As an amateur in a single garage I have a few thousand invested in tools. Hand tools, battery tools, air tools, welders, compressor, lights, lifting equipment, on…and…on… and I still can’t do everything I want to do (I really want a proper lathe and a bigger mill).

Then the less obvious - using your body to earn money (like any of the trades) is not something to take on lightly. If you injure yourself, you can’t work. If you don’t use correct PPE you will cause yourself long term problems (my hearing is damaged partly from using grinders without ear protection, my back is easily put out after incorrectly lifting things in my youth etc..). And then there’s just the general grind of working in harsh conditions - a workshop is not a fun place when it’s minus something or hot enough to fry an egg on the roof.

And then there’s just the straight-up hassle of running a business. As an example, have a look at the trouble Barum Engines (YouTube) have had with a vexatious customer…

What killed the whole idea for me was having a small taste of it. I rented a workshop with some friends (used to be active on here) and thrashed out a couple of builds. The idea of doing that day-in-day-out was just not going to be fun.

While I still work on cars for fun, it was far easier to work out what I didn’t like about the day job and fix that. A couple of job changes and I earn far more than I would in a workshop and I’m not wearing out my body doing it (and I actually enjoy my ‘computer desk job’).

All that said, you only live once. Give it a go if it’s something you want to experience first-hand. I’d look at people like Guessworks, AC Dodd, CalverST, TCK (to name a few) - they are successfully running businesses based around classic cars (albeit in fairly specialised areas - that might be the key…).

Edit:
Just to pickup on the tools again as an example just sprang to mind. I bought three new Wera torque wrench’s to cover the ranges needed in just Minis. The cost of those was ~30-40% of your budget.

Edited by Icey, 23 March 2023 - 09:15 AM.

[Designer]

I was selling my self and my talents to a very big market, unlike you who is selling yourself, your talents and above all an article that is going to be for a limited market.

Just to comment further on tools. My initial outlay on tools to become self employed as a carpenter/joiner 34 years ago was about £2,000. That was for basic tools, my insurance cover for tools ended up at £10,000 after 3 years. I did not have the amount of specialised tools as you would need as I did not have a fully equipped workshop, any specialist work needed by a third party was priced into the quote which if accepted I knew I was going to be paid for, (luckily I only had one none payment for work and that was a small amount).

A further point you may not of thought about is you will have to pay your own pension contributions. Not a small task.

[WillCarter]

So after consideration, some good advice from all of you and a bit of common sense I've decided to just keep a couple of project cars in the workshop as a hobby for odd weekends and evenings instead of going self-employed. 

 

But I've also been very lucky and gotten myself work at a local classic car garage so I've really struck gold I think! 

 

Thanks for all your advice, probably saved me from bankruptcy. 

 

Will 

[Designer]

Hi Will,

 

I think you have made the right decision, enjoy your time with the local classic car garage and your couple of projects.

 

Regards Paddy

[jonlad]

What better way to learn the ropes with a view to doing your own in future. Good luck and don't give up on your ambitions!

[nicklouse]

So after consideration, some good advice from all of you and a bit of common sense I've decided to just keep a couple of project cars in the workshop as a hobby for odd weekends and evenings instead of going self-employed. 

 

But I've also been very lucky and gotten myself work at a local classic car garage so I've really struck gold I think! 

 

Thanks for all your advice, probably saved me from bankruptcy. 

 

Will 

Sounds like you have fallen into the right spot.