Opening a Local Saw Shop...Thoughts

[Larry B]

Nice thing about running you own business is you can pick and choose your customers. The wheat and chaff sort themselves out pretty quick.

 

[XP_Slinger]

They sure do. Just started a new job at a local auto parts store just for a gap filler while the saws thing hopefully spins up. It’s just me and the owner, he’s been in business 20+ years and is sharing everything he has learned. We had a conversation about Weeding out the crap customers yesterday

 

[Lightning Performance]

They sure do. Just started a new job at a local auto parts store just for a gap filler while the saws thing hopefully spins up. It’s just me and the owner, he’s been in business 20+ years and is sharing everything he has learned. We had a conversation about Weeding out the crap customers yesterday

Chit customers are a death nail.

Look for a saw chain auto sharpener.
Talk to 166
That crossed my mind just now seeing your thread title.


Put down the saw and run away, far away and soon

Ask what happens to cars lost in transit because they won't pay the bill

 

[XP_Slinger]

I heard somewhere that stickers make you legit...lol! All kidding aside I’m very happy with my logo. Many thanks owed to a friend for helping me get these produced.

 

[Lightning Performance]

Is that said like, North West Bare Ass?


That's how I read it.
Do you have hot chicks on your calendar?
Or... Are you a flasher?

 

[SpaceBus]

To avoid a separate insurance policy, and not have strangers show up at your house, could you offer a service to pick up and drop off the saw for local customers? I see a lot of small businesses fail because they don't find a proper niche, and perhaps convenience can be your niche. People will often pay more for convenience.

 

[DC1072]

I heard somewhere that stickers make you legit...lol! All kidding aside I’m very happy with my logo. Many thanks owed to a friend for helping me get these produced.
View attachment 296177

A little late than never good luck on it beat me to the punch.

 

[DC1072]

I thought about doing this multiple times like Bob shop .couple of shops. Small but sweet don’t wanna carry all the lawnmowers staff.
Kind a cater to the tree and loggers .

 

[RI Chevy]

Stickas good for a tenth or 2 in the cut, No?

 

[FergusonTO35]

Hey now, Summit Racing once claimed their house brand exhaust system produced 20 HP more than a competitor so anything is possible!

 

[Nutball]

To avoid a separate insurance policy, and not have strangers show up at your house, could you offer a service to pick up and drop off the saw for local customers? I see a lot of small businesses fail because they don't find a proper niche, and perhaps convenience can be your niche. People will often pay more for convenience.

Great idea

 

[DC1072]

How much cash do I need upfront to start ?????

 

[XP_Slinger]

To avoid a separate insurance policy, and not have strangers show up at your house, could you offer a service to pick up and drop off the saw for local customers? I see a lot of small businesses fail because they don't find a proper niche, and perhaps convenience can be your niche. People will often pay more for convenience.

Already doing this with a couple shops

 

[SpaceBus]

Already doing this with a couple shops

Nice, I bet that is super popular with local shops/dealers.

 

[XP_Slinger]

How much cash do I need upfront to start ?????

Sorry I missed this post. Costs are going to vary based on your goals and how you acquire some things like a lathe. My costs to tool up are just over $4k and I’m keeping a stash of cash squirreled away just for business capital.

 

[Lightning Performance]

Sorry I missed this post. Costs are going to vary based on your goals and how you acquire some things like a lathe. My costs to tool up are just over $4k and I’m keeping a stash of cash squirreled away just for business capital.

The guys I knew around 1990 spent 10K on mostly used equipment to set up a chainsaw repair and chain sharpening. Both of them were green and did poor work. Never even sent them a chain but did a few on their machine to get them going with it. These two geniuses had trouble changing a set of crank seals lol.

You'll be making money in no time. First two years is the hardest when starting a new thang.

 

[XP_Slinger]

The guys I knew around 1990 spent 10K on mostly used equipment to set up a chainsaw repair and chain sharpening. Both of them were green and did poor work. Never even sent them a chain but did a few on their machine to get them going with it. These two geniuses had trouble changing a set of crank seals lol.

You'll be making money in no time. First two years is the hardest when starting a new thang.

I’ll probably be at 10k after all said and done, cash goes fast. But I’ve got what I need for now. I will eventually get a good chain grinder, invest in some more parts for shelf stock, shop supplies etc etc. good thing is despite all that my overhead will remain very very low as I’m not paying for space or other common recurrent expenses.

 

[Lightning Performance]

I’ll probably be at 10k after all said and done, cash goes fast. But I’ve got what I need for now. I will eventually get a good chain grinder, invest in some more parts for shelf stock, shop supplies etc etc. good thing is despite all that my overhead will remain very very low as I’m not paying for space or other common recurrent expenses.

Oh yeah... get some rolls, 26ft, of Echo black rubber fuel line, 3x5, 3x6 and 3x7mm goes a long way on tools. Small black plastic 90s, double nipples and street 90's are handy to get things up and running quickly with an assortment of rubber grommets. Weed eaters, hand held tools in general need those parts with today's pump gas. Sharp double barbed ones are best. Doubles as impulse line in 3x7. Perfect for custom work.

 

[huskyboy]

Good advice. I like the echo fuel line and stihl fuel line for bulk line. They work good for impulse hoses too. That yellow tygon knockoff doesn’t last. Gets hard and fails.

 

[Lightning Performance]

Good advice. I like the echo fuel line and stihl fuel line for bulk line. They work good for impulse hoses too. That yellow tygon knockoff doesn’t last. Gets hard and fails.

That yellow stuff is chit imo.
Melted it right off the the case testing a 361 running a 28" bar with too much timing. Never used it again. Better options are out there. Even Husky AM "pig tail" line I call it is better than the yellow crap that came on Poulan Pro saws and a billion others. They wanted cheaper not better.