Looking at a frame jig , professionally made for that purpose , thinking I may buy it ,use it and then rent it out . Figuire I would put a trailer axle under it , and removable tongue for ease of moving . Free indoor storage ,few months? To find its next renter , 50.00 -100.00 per month Good idea ,bad idea , indifferent .
I don't know about any frame jigs that are made to accommodate different types of frames, Ford to Chevy, from 20's to 60's. but I have never used a pro built frame jig. HRP
You still would have to make your own uprights to mount to the frame and table Table I beams and cross beams have enough drilled holes for mounting and slot cut outside to attach chains . Making your own mounts beats 2000.00 in steel and time to build it .
Got you. You might find this old thread from 18 years ago useful and informative, especially the post by Kustombuilder, HRP Click Here
I think you need to figure out the types fabrication needs in your area , eg ; oval, drag ,off road racing , 4x4 mudding/rock climbing and car builders that are independently building their own stuff. Anyone building chassis are probably set up already. Remember about the time one person is using your table as car/parts storage that’s when one or two will want it and you have to dick around getting it back or getting paid .
Thanks for the link HRP , rather than having my money sit in the yard ,thought I might make a few sheckles back , and help out a few guys that cant store , or make or afford to make their own
I am actually surrounded by a couple of popular oval tracks ,one dirt , and a couple of popular drag race tracks . Also one of the largest and oldest car clubs around .Would have it built in such a way to be able to be towed . If you cant afford to pay 300.00-500.00 Up front for a few months use I guess you wont be renting it !!!
I would be talking to the Locals that Might be your customers before making any investments like that. Go to some of their Club meetings and hang out in the Pits see what kind of feedback I got. Knowing home builders, I could see a project starting out on a well-planned Time Frame and then things not going according to plans (that's really normal) and then you and the renter having an issue. Next guy in line don't get the table as planned not he's not being very pleasant when he leaves you a message on the phone. Hobby time and finances seem to always be in 4th place if your Married with Kids.
At the current price of steel now might not be the best time to build a fixture unless you can justify the investment.
Jig is already built , add wheels and tongue ,good to go , couldn't build it for the price being sold ,let alone the labour
If you need it, buy it. If you need money sell it. If you rent it expect having to fix the shit big hammer boys will do to it.
Now renting a frame machine is a different deal....Would have been nice to fix some bent frames in the past.....
To answer your basic question, Myself no. I'm blessed to have on hand what building a Chassis requires. I have over the years let people use my shop and equipment to do simple frame work for a price. So far so good. Most often the Home builder can strike an arc but still not be qualified to do quality welds. Use your own yard stick to determine that. At 75 now I got dang lucky to have a life long list of very satisfied customers. The only people I pissed off were the ones I wouldn't do work for. That was based on having requests for work I couldn't stand behind or wouldn't do for myself and not liking the explanation as to why. It's important to know your limitations and qualifications before you dive into someone's Wallet.
If it were close I'd consider renting something like that. Even a jig that could be put "on" a trailer and brought to someone's garage to use, would be helpful. Trailering would help maintain squareness of frame jig by keeping it out of today's potholed roads.
Bad idea.......... It won't stay in perfect shape with people welding and grinding on it, and if someone doesn't pay you or decides not to co-operate when you want it back.....what do you do? Its one thing to deal with close friends, completely different dealing with other people. Believe me that it only takes one neer-do-well to ruin your day. I acquired some steel welding tables that are 4'x8' and placed them end to end. They serve as not only a jig, but work surfaces for everything else. If you decide you don't want them later you just resell them for what you paid for them. Here is what I use. Just sitting frame in place at the time of this picture.
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