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Building - Doing everything yourself vs. farming some of it out.

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by Barsteel, Feb 25, 2012.

  1. Barsteel
    Joined: Oct 15, 2008
    Posts: 733

    Barsteel
    Member
    from Monroe, CT

    Hello!

    Been reading a lot of build threads and got to wondering...when you're doing a build, how any of you do everything yourself, i.e. bodywork, shoot the paint, rebuild the engine/transmission, electrical, vs. doing most of the work and letting someone else handle the paint/engine work/etc?

    I'd probably be in the "do everything yourself" camp, although I've never done a bottom-up/frame off build or restoration. I want to learn how to do everything, but there are only so many hours in a day, and I'm sure that you'd want to drive what you're building before the start of the next millenium.

    Chris
     
  2. chrisntx
    Joined: Jan 20, 2006
    Posts: 1,799

    chrisntx
    Member
    from Texas .

    I believe that, traditionally, most people did as much as possible themselves. Thats what I do. I cant turn cranks, some things must be done by others
     
  3. rschilp
    Joined: Sep 17, 2009
    Posts: 678

    rschilp
    Member

    On my own builds I do everything myself. I can live with re-doing something if I don't like it, or having something not quite perfect but knowing I did it myself.

    My customer's builds, I farm our some major items, just because someone else can do it faster, cheaper and better.
     
  4. Friends and clubs with members who hold diversified talents, ahhh what an idea.
     
  5. I built a th350 once. Now I farm it. I can say I did it, it's not terribly hard, but it requires some expensive specialized tools I can't borrow, and it takes time. For $100 bucks I found a guy at a local shop that did it on his own time. I thought it was a very good deal. Dropped it off on Friday, picked it up a week later, no trouble in 6 seasons.

    I can do everything, and trying new stuff is fun, but sometimes it's cheaper and faster to have a pro handle it.
     
  6. themoose
    Joined: Dec 7, 2008
    Posts: 9,696

    themoose
    Member

    I've always done everything myself including paint and upholstery. If I didn't know how to do something then I would study and learn the skill. It helped to be working in the auto repair business because I was always able to find someone who's brain I could pick. I never felt comfortable in relying on someone else to do the work for me. You always pay more attention to detail when your working on your own stuff and if something fails you know exactly where to look and how to fix it.Another plus is you only have to look in the mirror to find out who you should blame if something isn't done correctly
     
  7. charlieb66
    Joined: Apr 18, 2011
    Posts: 549

    charlieb66
    Member

    Do all my work myself, except for the engine machine work and chrome. The thing about doing your own work, if you don't like the way something turns out, all you have lost is the material, self labor is dirt cheap. Redoing a part of a project, at least the second time around you can rely on your "experience".
     
  8. rustyfords
    Joined: Jun 17, 2008
    Posts: 1,295

    rustyfords
    Member
    from Conroe, TX

    I've been doing everything on my 54 Ford build, and it's been a love/hate sort of thing.

    I love the fact that I've done it all myself, but there are times when the learning curve is steep and I get frustrated and just have to walk away and shut the garage door for a day or so.

    It always seems to work out though, where I come back to the project after about 24 hours off and have run the problem through my mind. I get right back in there and seem to tackle the issue fairly quickly.

    I've gotta say that building a 50's era car has been more challenging for me than my earlier stuff was.
     
  9. when I was youger I did everything myself and it was not only cars. Now that
    I'm older, wiser, slower, and no kids. I pick and choose what I do and what I hire.
    the
    T-MAN
     
  10. carcrazyjohn
    Joined: Apr 16, 2008
    Posts: 4,841

    carcrazyjohn
    Member
    from trevose pa

    Ill do it all myself ,Except for transmissions and interior.....and header welding I bought Matt's,,,It was cheaper and he can weld way better than I..........
     
  11. Molonewolf
    Joined: Jan 22, 2012
    Posts: 195

    Molonewolf
    Member

    Trannys and engines I leave to others the rest I attempt.
     
  12. chalkboard
    Joined: Jan 24, 2009
    Posts: 447

    chalkboard
    Member

    Prefer for now to do everything myself.
    Current build includes paint, tranny, upholstery, exhaust, etc...
     
  13. BamaMav
    Joined: Jun 19, 2011
    Posts: 6,969

    BamaMav
    Member Emeritus
    from Berry, AL

    I do almost everything myself, but have never been in a tranny or rear diff.
     
  14. oj
    Joined: Jul 27, 2008
    Posts: 6,581

    oj
    Member

    Farming things out will give you a break and add perspective. I find that if i try to do every possible thing i head down the 'perfectionist' path and that is a slippery slope. Pick and chose what you want to do and have fun doing those things you enjoy, farm the rest and your project will get done sooner and you won't suffer 'burnout'.
     
  15. anteek
    Joined: Feb 27, 2009
    Posts: 394

    anteek
    Member

    Rat rods are an example of why most people need outside help.
     
  16. HOTRODPRIMER
    Joined: Jan 3, 2003
    Posts: 64,639

    HOTRODPRIMER
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    I am a realist,there are things on the cars I can do but can't do well enough to make me happy,,ie,,the paint and interior on ladyhrp's wagon,so I farmed it out to fellow club members,,I in turn help them with their projects.

    In my nearly 62 years I have built several cars from the ground up and have learned a lot,,I don't have to do everything myself if I don't want to. HRP
     
  17. I used to do it all, but now I know my limits. I suck at bodywork.
     
  18. FritzTownFord
    Joined: Apr 7, 2007
    Posts: 1,020

    FritzTownFord
    Member

    Nothing will give you the understanding and confidence in your car like doing as much as possible yourself. That being said, few people can actually do EVERYTHING themselves. Good luck and use search on here for TONS of great advice and learnin'.
     
  19. rd martin
    Joined: Nov 14, 2006
    Posts: 2,469

    rd martin
    Member
    from indiana

    hotrodprimer, that ford wagon is really nice! i have done a few carsover the years. i try and do as much as possible. with todays prices i have to. just finishing a 27 ford rpu. shes a driver. i painted it.its no show car by any means. but it will be a fun driver. do what you can do, but do it smart and do it safe! nothing wrong with farming some of it out. not many of us have it all to do it all.
     
  20. 48 Chubby
    Joined: Apr 29, 2008
    Posts: 1,014

    48 Chubby
    Member Emeritus

    What he said.
    Back last year I lost a lot of what I had spent years collecting in a fire. Basically while I was in the process of moving, my house and shop burned to a total loss. Projects went from 7 to 2, basic hand tools had all been moved, and the 2 projects were moved. This gave me a new perspective on things. Now it makes sense to buy a new MIG welder and torch set up for $1000 rather than pay some one else five times that much to perform work that doesn't meet my standards. It doesn't make sense to buy a TIG welder because I gas weld a lot any way and would not use it much. And so it goes. A lot depends on whether or not you can find a capable person to do the work and not just rip you off.
     
  21. wide34
    Joined: Mar 2, 2006
    Posts: 713

    wide34
    Member
    from Texas

    Great question, like some of the "old guys" on here I always felt I couldn't paint or upholster but my last build forced me into painting and I actually learned to like it. Still send out for Upholstery, not only don't I have the equipment but others can do a much better job! Hope you get to do as much as you can yourself, I think you'll really be a lot more satified!
     
  22. kiwicowboy
    Joined: Nov 28, 2008
    Posts: 349

    kiwicowboy
    Member
    from linwood nc

    I do all my own work,but as I get older I farm sum of my work out and it help others in the bissnes keep there doors open,but as for your question do whot you can your self but there is nothing wrong with getting a pro to do sum stuff that you don't fell comfortable doing
     
  23. nutbush
    Joined: Jul 7, 2006
    Posts: 267

    nutbush
    Member
    from Texas

    I do what I feel confident in doing, which is almost everything. But I am honest enough with myself to say that I want certain things a certain way, meaning very correct. There are guys out there with the talent I need, so I send those things out. In the end, I am always glad I did. I think some guys think they can do it all, and some can. But most need help in certain areas. Dont let your ego make you regret not allowing someone else to touch your car.
     
  24. Willy301
    Joined: Nov 16, 2007
    Posts: 1,426

    Willy301
    Member

    I have had to do most things myself, and have tried to buy the tools as I go along. I have found, like others have said, I find some of the learning curves kinda steep. I have hit some brick walls during my build, and have had to walk away from it, sometimes for an extended period of time. I did farm out the upholstery, and I have had some help on some other minor things, but I do all my own welding, mechanical work and fabrication. I also try to learn from the guy doing it, how I can better prep stuff to cut his time investment. I also farm out the chrome, mostly due to the hazardous chemical thing...
     
  25. Bilt
    Joined: Jun 23, 2011
    Posts: 311

    Bilt
    Member

    I do alot myself and am teaching myself with the help of the HAMB. I do know my limits. ie. I don't trust my welding abilites yet so all my final welds on the frame and the front and rear end went to a professional after I tacked them in place. My thoughts, see one, do one, teach one theory. My first car was bought then I changed stuff on it to make it my own. The more I changed the more confidence I gained and after awhile the car became mine. Now I am doing my first full build from scratch. By the time I am done.... I will have built the car fifty times. But my labor is cheap since I'm not in a hurry.
     
  26. I`d like to farm out Electrical work , the dark science. Weird smoke comes from the wires. Although a lot less now that I`m learning how to use a multimeter.
     
  27. ELpolacko
    Joined: Jun 10, 2001
    Posts: 4,682

    ELpolacko
    Member

    Absolutely nothing wrong with having a pro do some work for you if you can afford to do so.

    "Us" pros do this sort of thing for a living and at a standard not usually seen in a home garage. Most of us have tools, skill and experience to do the jobs required to give you a satisfying driving experience. You need to enjoy your car for the intent you built it for, so unless you have the time and dedication it takes to pull off the various jobs required, give us guys a call. We're friendly!
     
  28. squirrel
    Joined: Sep 23, 2004
    Posts: 59,679

    squirrel
    Member

    The stuff that has to look good, such as paint and upholstery, I let someone else do it. The rest is easy so I do it myself.
     
  29. I had a certified welder do the chassis work on my car. My little 110 AC MIG wasn't gonna cut it, and I knew it. If I screw up a tune up, I have AAA. If I screw up the chassis or suspension/brakes, someone will have to call the morgue.
    I am also, this weekend, having a headliner put in the T. I've tried doing headliners, and it's just beyond my capabilities and and talents, plus the wife won't let me near her sewing machine.
     
  30. 58edselretractable
    Joined: Sep 26, 2011
    Posts: 47

    58edselretractable
    Member

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