Hi, Does anyone know of a Machine shop that will do work on occasions for car projects around the Schenectady NY area. Most I am finding work on commercial accounts only and do not want to take on small jobs from hobbyist. If they do, you wait forever to get them back. Found a shop and they will not do anything related to automobiles citing insurance liability rules!! Any leads are appreciated. Thanks.
Best bet. Some do work for donations. Our school shop did work for funds that went to our end of the year shop party.
If you are a younger man, consider going to night tech school for some knowledge and you can buy a mill and lathe very reasonable these days, then you will be set for your area, take side work from fellow Hot Rodders, BUT, here's the deal, majority don't know what they want or need, will always think its too much $$$ and need it tomorrow. This advice comes from 36 years in the business, time is money, have respect for my fellow hobbyist, but you cannot make a living doing favor jobs. Retired now and In my hobby shop I only work on my projects, a few for long time friends that I trade favors with or they pay without question. FYI, today's shop rate for a legit machine shop business is min $75/, most shops are $100+.
Most shops don't need the hassle. Problem with "small" jobs is that (1) there isn't a complete drawing (2) if there is a drawing, it has errors, (3) the buyer will****** about the price and delivery (4) the buyer shops it to every machine shop in town and wastes a shop's quoting time, (5) after the buyer gets his quotes, he changes the drawing and repeats the process, and (6) there is little potential for volume work from a hobbyist. Most good machine shops are swamped right now and their delivery is 4 weeks or more. Just like wicarnut says, $75 is a minimum shop rate......for basic lathe and mill work.
I have a full size Bridgeport and 5-C collet lathe. Impossible to build a car without both items. Anything I can't handle goes to shops owned by friends who have CNC equipment. I supply the material and CAD drawing, even a DXF file if they want it. We barter my labor for machine time. I may wait a while for some things.
This is true. I've seen shops run guys out that come in with something scribbled on a napkin. If they make an error, it becomes YOUR fault for making the part wrong and not worth the hassle. They have no idea on tolerances, fitment, etc. I'll do stuff for close friends, but very little work outside my usual contract work.
The traditional way works well, ask around coworkers, friends, relatives etc. ask at boat shops lawnmower shops, small auto repair shops, talk to other hobbyists. While I have my own lathes and mills I also know others in the area who do work on the side for reasonable rates, remember tooling wears, machines wear, electricity costs, nothing is ever free, but if your reasonable you will likely find someone to help you out.
The lawyers have taken over. The local state VoTec will not even allow the auto mechanic students to change their own oil in the shop. It's all about Liability insurance.
I built many a street and stock car using a torch, Lincoln welder, bench grinder and angle grinder. They looked okay. I'm certainly spoiled these days.
Thanks. Have had an engine at a shop since last May and it still sits!! Needed 5 studs drilled out and re tapped. Paying 75.00 per hr. which is no trouble but at this rate I will never be able to get the engine done. Going to a NAPA shop to see if they can handle it. Left a Model A driveshaft there to have it re worked and after another shop shortened it and machined it and did a great job of shortening it and had it accurate with no warp but then welded it and pulled it out by .040 New shop has had it 45 days and just getting ready to rework it! It is not the price but the time to get things done. Most shop work big jobs which I understand take on this stuff then let it sit forever! Thanks to all and will keep searching
No doubt I've paid my dues over the years. Made up throttle linkage for my ford last night in about an hour. 3/8" aluminum rod, 1/4-28 threaded rod and Mr. Gasket ends. What once was a chore is now fun.
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