What comes through the door.

[Simondo]

Not being a branded repairer/dealer or offering saw modding , i tend not to get the same sort of machines through the door all the time . Its a dodging about game having to learn saws , line trimmers, hedge trimmers ,mowers ......... from all different makers that you have not worked on before. Parts can be a time consuming job and not having some of the workshop tools for some brands can be a concern.
Saws /trimmers can be from the 1980's up to now and from Stihl,Husq,Solo,Dolmar,Makita,Echo,Mitox,........plus the obscure Chinese makes so its a lottery when the phone rings.
Specialising is not a option as that would be a financial downer so "Diverse " is my middle name.
How is it for you fellers around the rest of our Planet ?

 

[67L36Driver]

Yup, just like "Pawn Stars"

"You never know what may come thru the door"

But, I just do chainsaws. Lawn mowers, weed wackers, tillers, etc. get sent packing.

I have the advantage of being a retired hobbyist. I can be picky.[emoji6]

 

[Stump Shot]

Not very much different at all Simon. While I try to stick with just the chainsaws, people bring me everything under the sun with a small motor. The saws that come in reflect what dealers were around at that point in time. I still get in old American saws from as far back as the late 1960's to be repaired for more firewood duty.(Have a McCulloch in the shop right now from the mid 1970's) See a lot of Stihl from the 1980's-90's, then Husqvarna coming in neck and neck. Still a few Jonsered's around even fewer Sach's-Dolmar. McCulloch then Homelite were popular here with the rare sighting of an old Poulan from who knows where. Lots of old iron left around yet from the 1970's-80's when just about everyone had to burn wood. Still some 041's out cutting their share of firewood yet too. Saws I see the most of would have to be the 266 and the 036. Folks that have them know what they can do and want them to stay running. I try and shy away from lawn mowers if I can help it. I do repair the old snowmobiles from the 1970's mainly Ski-Doo and rebuild the old Rotax engines that they came with. I will rebuild the odd Brigg's & Stratton, Kohler or Tecumseh. Seems if they are the newer style people just replace them with a cheep Chinese copy cat engine. Speaking of Chinese I also shy away from the cheap Chinese chain saws. I'll take a look at them, but if there is a major design flaw that I can't repair, I have to pass at this point.
What's really interesting is the junk people bring me in lieu of money. A lot of folks are still hurting for extra funds for when things break, so they drag in whatever else it is they may have lying around, thinking I can fix it and sell it and make my profit. Most of that stuff is still sitting out in the junk heap. If someone dragged something else here though, I would still fix whatever they needed. I figure they may remember that and come back again some day. Besides it's better to see folks smile, there's enough things to frown about. This is also a hobby for me right now, I keep doing more and more, at some point may have to break and go full time. With local dealers not wanting/able to repair stuff for folks, it will just get better/worse from here.

 

[Simondo]

Yup, just like "Pawn Stars"

"You never know what may come thru the door"

But, I just do chainsaws. Lawn mowers, weed wackers, tillers, etc. get sent packing.

I have the advantage of being a retired hobbyist. I can be picky.[emoji6]

Wow !! i never thought of myself as a porn star !!

 

[Simondo]

Not very much different at all Simon. While I try to stick with just the chainsaws, people bring me everything under the sun with a small motor. The saws that come in reflect what dealers were around at that point in time. I still get in old American saws from as far back as the late 1960's to be repaired for more firewood duty.(Have a McCulloch in the shop right now from the mid 1970's) See a lot of Stihl from the 1980's-90's, then Husqvarna coming in neck and neck. Still a few Jonsered's around even fewer Sach's-Dolmar. McCulloch then Homelite were popular here with the rare sighting of an old Poulan from who knows where. Lots of old iron left around yet from the 1970's-80's when just about everyone had to burn wood. Still some 041's out cutting their share of firewood yet too. Saws I see the most of would have to be the 266 and the 036. Folks that have them know what they can do and want them to stay running. I try and shy away from lawn mowers if I can help it. I do repair the old snowmobiles from the 1970's mainly Ski-Doo and rebuild the old Rotax engines that they came with. I will rebuild the odd Brigg's & Stratton, Kohler or Tecumseh. Seems if they are the newer style people just replace them with a cheep Chinese copy cat engine. Speaking of Chinese I also shy away from the cheap Chinese chain saws. I'll take a look at them, but if there is a major design flaw that I can't repair, I have to pass at this point.
What's really interesting is the junk people bring me in lieu of money. A lot of folks are still hurting for extra funds for when things break, so they drag in whatever else it is they may have lying around, thinking I can fix it and sell it and make my profit. Most of that stuff is still sitting out in the junk heap. If someone dragged something else here though, I would still fix whatever they needed. I figure they may remember that and come back again some day. Besides it's better to see folks smile, there's enough things to frown about. This is also a hobby for me right now, I keep doing more and more, at some point may have to break and go full time. With local dealers not wanting/able to repair stuff for folks, it will just get better/worse from here.

Heck Steve....you got me beat there ! thats a hell of a list of things you tackle.
Grass machines inc line trimmers can make up to more than 50% of my work depending. The ebb and flow of work is also not a constant but iv noticed there is a seasonal side to that. Im "Slowly " educating some of my regulars to book there stuff in" before" they need it ! at the start of the mowing or sawing time

 

[Wolverine]

This is what rolls through the door. I'm backed up pretty good!

 

[Stump Shot]

Heck Steve....you got me beat there ! thats a hell of a list of things you tackle.
Grass machines inc line trimmers can make up to more than 50% of my work depending. The ebb and flow of work is also not a constant but iv noticed there is a seasonal side to that. Im "Slowly " educating some of my regulars to book there stuff in" before" they need it ! at the start of the mowing or sawing time

I'll say one thing, we certainly differ there. The only one getting educated around here is me. As hard as I try folks will just not bring things in for service until it goes kaput or wont start. Even explain to them that it will cost them less money in the long run, nope, not happening.

 

[Simondo]

This is what rolls through the door. I'm backed up pretty good!
View attachment 73176

Is there a time your not looking at a shop full ? i guess with bikes you get the yearly test and servicing work . Folks are a little less inclined to service there OPE as regular as most bike owners i bet.

 

[Simondo]

I'll say one thing, we certainly differ there. The only one getting educated around here is me. As hard as I try folks will just not bring things in for service until it goes kaput or wont start. Even explain to them that it will cost them less money in the long run, nope, not happening.

Well i didnt say i was making "Much" headway !!. A 10% hit rate i suppose at the moment but im working on a booking reminder letter .

 

[jb-chainsaws]

I do try to stick to chainsaws only, and won't work on Chinese crap other than to sharpen chains. However I have the added bonus of forestry work when I'm not fixing saws, so I can also be a bit picky.

I do fix the occasional strimmer or hedge trimmer for regular customers, hell if it's made by stihl I'll fix it happily because they're easy to work on and get diagrams for

 

[Simondo]

I do try to stick to chainsaws only, and won't work on Chinese crap other than to sharpen chains. However I have the added bonus of forestry work when I'm not fixing saws, so I can also be a bit picky.

I do fix the occasional strimmer or hedge trimmer for regular customers, hell if it's made by stihl I'll fix it happily because they're easy to work on and get diagrams for

Yup...having another way of making cash can enable more choice in your work . I do turn things down when i know its just not going to pay or it has "BAD NEWS" written all over it !

 

[Wolverine]

Is there a time your not looking at a shop full ? i guess with bikes you get the yearly test and servicing work . Folks are a little less inclined to service there OPE as regular as most bike owners i bet.

I get about 2 months off during winter. mid Dec till usually end of Feb. Nice little break. Last week my tire count was 106 on the year.

 

[Czed]

Everything tractors big and small.
atv/utv and motorcycles
Generators and chainsaws. trimmers/brushcutters.
Burned out just doing saw's mainly.
Gave my friend the rest of the work
He stays covered up now lol

 

[Stump Shot]

Everything tractors big and small.
atv/utv and motorcycles
Generators and chainsaws. trimmers/brushcutters.
Burned out just doing saw's mainly.
Gave my friend the rest of the work
He stays covered up now lol

Ah yes, generators forgot about them little buggers, ice augers once in a blue moon too.

 

[Simondo]

Ah yes, generators forgot about them little buggers, ice augers once in a blue moon too.

Everything tractors big and small.
atv/utv and motorcycles
Generators and chainsaws. trimmers/brushcutters.
Burned out just doing saw's mainly.
Gave my friend the rest of the work
He stays covered up now lol

You lot have to many things that do stuff !
Ice augers , snow blowers, skidoos ...noooo sir , not here. Thats got to be a State location thing with you boys ?

 

[Simondo]

Everything tractors big and small.
atv/utv and motorcycles
Generators and chainsaws. trimmers/brushcutters.
Burned out just doing saw's mainly.
Gave my friend the rest of the work
He stays covered up now lol

Hi Dave ( i hope i remembered right ) ...glad you found the thread

 

[Simondo]

I get about 2 months off during winter. mid Dec till usually end of Feb. Nice little break. Last week my tire count was 106 on the year.

You got help ? Just me with what i do.

 

[Wolverine]

Nope, I'm the only mechanic. Boss buys and sells, I service and repair and he has a part time detailer. I'm enjoying it, as long as there isn't a hardley on the lift.

 

[Simondo]

Nope, I'm the only mechanic. Boss buys and sells, I service and repair and he has a part time detailer. I'm enjoying it, as long as there isn't a hardley on the lift.

Well i was not expecting to hear you say that ! I did see mostly non US bikes but i was NOT about to discount you liking Hogs .

 

[Dolmar Junkie]

Not being a branded repairer/dealer or offering saw modding , i tend not to get the same sort of machines through the door. Its a dodging about game having to learn saws , line trimmers, hedge trimmers ,mowers ......... from all different makers that you have not worked on before. Parts can be a time consuming job and not having some of the workshop tools for some brands can be a concern.
Saws /trimmers can be from the 1980's up to now and from Stihl,Husq,Solo,Dolmar,Makita,Echo,Mitox,........plus the obscure Chinese makes so its a lottery when the phone rings.
Specialising is not a option as that would be a financial downer so "Diverse " is my middle name.
How is it for you fellers around the rest of our Planet ?

Unfortunately my local saw shop (Stihl dealer)has decided to not be so diverse. And last year placed a sign on his door that said we will only service what we sell after years of being the go to place for local small engine repair which I understand to a degree.This wouldn't be such an issue except for the fact that we Live in a very rural area and the next available repair shop is approximately 25-30miles (40-48 kilometers for the Queen's subjects and the rest of the world)
So if my wife has a problem with the lawnmower while I am out of town, well you can see it's not very convenient.
So I commend you on your diversity!!!