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  #1  
Old 07-10-2021, 09:58 PM
Harpkatt Harpkatt is offline
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Location: Long Island, NY
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Default From Hobby to production

What's your success story? I guess you could say I'm too inexperienced to take the leap to pro or maybe too apprehensive. But its a dream I aspire to. I've never taken any metal forming classes or worked in any shops, but I've made do so far with reading and research and hand tools . Some how I went from working in the engineering field to working in the banking field and It's not a step I enjoyed taking.

My dream would be to get back to the hands on. I'd like restore everything and anything. Not so much just cars.
I took formal welding classes and am just finally getting good enough with the tig to do thin body panels with out constantly blowing holes ( i used to mig them) but I've concentrated more in the last year on getting the work nice in metal and just touching up with fillers.

How did you decide when the time was right for you to start operating professionally?
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Old 07-11-2021, 12:16 AM
Mr fixit Mr fixit is offline
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Harpkatt,

What is the business your looking at going into? Do you have any pictures or examples of work you have done that could be commented on? Be prepared for constructive comments but then that's how we learn.

I'm just a hobbyist, but I'd be glad to give you my input if you can share your work.

Look forward to what you have to show.

TX
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  #3  
Old 07-11-2021, 03:13 AM
Jaroslav Jaroslav is offline
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I had old motorcycles for many years. Later, I bought several cars at the same time. Some I donated, some sold and some waiting to be repaired.
There was still no time. One day I closed a company and wanted to get a job. I've found that despite knowing and knowing a lot, no one wants me.
The turning point came when one lady kept telling me that I was missing half a year on my CV. What were you doing ? I didn't do anything. What have you been doing for half a year? I didn't do anything. She kept saying it.
I got up and said, "Dear lady, if the two of us are missing something, missing only you my half year."
I decided to use my skills for myself and sell them better.
Yes, the journey is not easy, but I decide when and what to do. I can even choose who I want to talk to and who should deleted my phone "because he won't need it".
I have 6 customer categories:
1. Desperate
2. Dreamers
3. Rich people - they usually rob you.
4. Enthusiasts
5. Enthusiasts with paying
6. Professionals.
Business security is very uncertain, but it's fun and adventure at the same time. You will need a lot of mental strength.

Take advantage of the experience of the banking sector and be just as tough in choosing customers and rules. Good luck.
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Old 07-11-2021, 08:35 AM
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Joe Hartson Joe Hartson is offline
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Jaroslav, very good information.

There will be many people that want you to do work for them that have no idea what a fair price is for the work. You have to know when to say NO.

Don't start a business if you are under capitalized or have a lot of debt, you will fail.
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Old 07-11-2021, 10:31 AM
ojh ojh is offline
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My primary thing is mechanical restoration/fabrication and trying to expand it to include metal shaping, at one point I'd like to do the metal shaping as my primary. As I get along in years I think I can be productive in metal shaping where the mechanical stuff get harder to do.
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Old 07-11-2021, 09:10 PM
Harpkatt Harpkatt is offline
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I'll have to get some pictures up to show the stuff I like doing.

Point taken on having a stock pile of cash on hand. I'm sort of at a point where I'd like to purchase some big pro type equipment, but to spend thousands on a real planishing hammer (looking at you Tin Man) or power hammer is hard to justify as a hobbist.

As a profession, I'd like to say the show American Restoration nailed what I want to do. I know thats a reach though, but I don't think it's impossible.

-Chris
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Last edited by Harpkatt; 07-11-2021 at 09:14 PM.
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Old 07-12-2021, 01:08 AM
Jaroslav Jaroslav is offline
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Chris. A little warning. This work is not about equipment. The equipment will only make your way to the result easier. The path cannot be measured. It is mostly a mental matter. At one point I found that I didn't know the basic procedures, but I had good equipment. For the next 2 years I researched how to do it. Count on this thing as well. If you overcome it, you have no problem. All videos look very optimistic. Top equipment and tools are more expensive than a family house.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YyyoGF-HJQw
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