Things to make

benski

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Mar 23, 2011
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Transmission upgrades?!?!?! I know I would have to switch belts to chains... but why transmission? :ashamed: Hmm how should my shop setup be? :confused2:

You'll typically have to at least remove reverse out of the peerless tranny for durability reasons. Also, seals and bearings get upgraded. More info at www.heymow..com
As for shops; the sky is the limit! My dream shop would have a couple of old forklifts, converted to run on electricity to get machines up in the air, a big bench grinder, blast cabinet, powder coating equipment, all the welding equipment, a steel rack, tire machine, lathe, milling machine, small spray paint booth, two or three large MATCO toolboxes with all the hand and power tools, good lighting, heat, painted concrete floor...well, you get the idea by now.
:cool::licking::biggrin::wink:
 

Dangeroustoys56

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Sep 25, 2011
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Benski: "You'll typically have to at least remove reverse out of the peerless tranny for durability reasons."

Yes- good idea. When first had my murray together I tried to find neutral , hit reverse and then forward and flipped the thing over ... on concrete. Ouch.

After that, i used a c clamp to block reverse in the shift gate.

Transmissions should be properly setup as Benski mentioned, to handle the extra speed, depending on what type is being used, some transmissions already come with berings inside them ( i have a couple craftsmans with them in it) , cleaned out and heavy gear oil installed ( seals to hold the oil in).

On my murray i filled the trans with lucas oil, i never had an issue with it.

I have a 700 peerless and a right angle gear box - plan on using them on a couple different machines - those will use straight rear axles.

Shop setup? Skys the limit - youd want a lil of everything , drill presses, cut off saws, tools.

One of my dad's freinds has this huge barn - he's tinkered with cars for years, has his own paint booth, lift , ton of tools and power tools ,welders, even has a loft with a 'man cave' in it . He has like motors, and a bunch of other assorted car parts around .

His shop also has AC and furnace - along with a microwave, fridge, kegerator and gas grille outside.

Dang- i wouldnt even leave the shop if i had something like that.
 

motorrefurb

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Nov 2, 2011
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I'm going to get heat! It gets so cold in the winter and I always get sick from being in the garage in the cold so much. But besides that, I have a computer desk set up, a decent size engine repair desk, a electrical desk, a lot of pegboard space, getting a compressor, 10 screwdrivers, 120 something piece socket set, Ridgid plugin drill, 7" right angle grinder with a ton of cut off wheels that I ordered by accident :tongue: , some pliers, jaw puller, putting a chair by the desks, and hopefully at some point soon, MORE SPACE! :laughing: Like that will ever happen............................:frown:

But anymore projects I can do with my setup for profit? :confused2:
 

reynoldston

Lawn Pro
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May 23, 2011
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I have been repairing small equipment, motor cycles, ATVs for the last few years as a part time job. If I had to live off of it I would not be able to feed myself much less made any money. Its more a hobby then a job. So what I am saying if you are going to do this to make a living put all you have into it or forget it. Make it a full time business and pay all your taxes and make sure you charge enough to make money at it. Another thing is if you can't afford to advertise you can't afford to be in business. Hope you the best of luck on this.
 

Marcusk

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Nov 10, 2011
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Mate if you are as cleaver as you say why waste your time building racing mowers ? Heaps of fun for sure but probably not alot of cash in it .. I read an artical online about machine shops starting to specialize in building small engines for junior drag racers I think it said that these guys will drop 5k on an engin and then look for somewhere to spend the change .

I think if you wanted to make something that be fun would be bolt on fule injection..

I would buy that ..

If I wasn't so cheep ..
 

motorrefurb

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Marcusk, I wish I could do that, but I have no money :tongue: I am trying to make some cash by doing whatever I can with mowers to make some, and then I will buy some cool tools and make something clever :biggrin: More ideas are more than appreciated!!
 

Marcusk

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Ah I see .

Well I agree with the other guys . Either repair and flip or place and add in you local paper advertising mower repairs. Here in Australia the thing now is people sell service contracts .. I haven't seen them on mowers but for yard care and pools and such so what theydo is say for so many dollars you will go the there house twice a season and service there equipment check belts change oil sharpen or swap blades . This is way better than having them bring things to you because you can charge a premium price and you don't need a workshop . If they have a part that is broken you buy it wholesale and charge them retail and you get to bill them to come back and replace it .. And because you don't have people walking in askingif you have a part you don't lose their business when you don't have it once you have the customs you will have all there business. Just think how much of a pain in the back side it is to take your dirty oily mower to have it serviced worse if it is a ride on . The key is to get them to "purchase the service contract " up front this is the cost for the 2 basic services for theseason one at the start and one half way through.. You will have to figure out what is best for the customer and your back pocket.

In my history as a service person if you. Recommend something to a customer with even the slightest justification 90% of the time they will take that option .

Hi mr bob I just did your mower service and our blades are looking a bit old I can change these for you now for 40 bucks or when I come back for your next service or 30 because ident have to come back ..

O gee mate how bad are they what happens when they get old ?

Well mr bob cutting with blunt blades puts extra load on your machine and causes execess wear and we both know that will shorten the life of your mower ..

And blah blah blah ..



Actualy I might do this here .. Hmmmm
 

motorrefurb

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Seems like Mr. Bob doesn't know much about mowers :laughing: Hmmm service contracts..... sounds good, but I like working in shop :ashamed:
 

putterman46

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Apr 13, 2013
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Hi guys, I am new to this forum and I am looking for some advice. I have been into building things with engines for a long time now and I can do a lot. I am in need of a job and think now is a good time to put my skills to use. What do you guys think I could do to make money? I was thinking making racing mowers out of typical Craftsman 6-speed lawnmowers, or even making a shifter-kart with a old dirtbike, but it seems as if there is not a good market for that. Any advice is appreciated :thumbsup:

I'm building these.....
Einachser,Bucher,MAG - YouTube
 
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