Thread: Garage manners?

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Friends in the shop, you ask:

Well, some people are just disrespectful and inconsiderate. Those type of people won't be welcome very long ( often ).

I used to like to visit my brother in law every sunday at his shop. I kept my visits short, drank a minimum of his beer ( sometimes brought him a six pack ) and if he was too busy to stop working to chit chat, I would chat while he worked and make my visit even shorter.

Unfortunately, I have since had a disagreement with his helper's affiliate organization, so I don't visit any more.

He really misses my visits. ( he liked the 20 minute break )

i retired after too many years of making a living fixing broken diesel trucks..now the shop is just where i make a bit of pocket change and build the cars ive been meaning to get to for years..the rules are simple unless your invited to work dont touch my tools..ask anything you want... but dont ask how to fix your car..thats my job in my shop..and if you know more than i do.. prove it or do it somewhere else..but most of the time its come visit..i usally enjoy the break

Originally Posted by mooneye777

Hey Bobby, looks like you have straightened up the shop a little since you lost the windshield weather strip, if I remember correctly.

This garage goes up and down depends on the day and how much i hammer out . Even the chairs become flat holding spots when i am moving about . But when its cluttered i want the wrench back on the floor were i left it makes it easier for me LOL .

When I visit the local hotrod shops of friends I call first. I ask if I can come over and waste some time with them. Most know my humor and that truth hurts sometimes. They all know that productive work stops when visitors arrive. I also ask if it is ok to bring whoever is with me. Some people are not welcome in some shops for various reasons. Might as well clear the air before it gets heavy.

The bottom line is to call first. I don't particularly like it when someone just drops in at my garage even the local heros. I have a limited amount of time and a tight schedule so spending half a Sat on a needless lunch and BS session is not needed.

I sometimes ask if it's ok to come over for a fishing lesson. Means I need some help. I try to keep it to the point and say thanks maybe go get lunch or at least offer.

I look but don't touch and ask before taking pictures. If the visit involves using tools etc, clean up, put away, and broom up the mess. Say thanks. Offer to pay for services rendered.

Some of us charge each other a fair rate and we pay without question. Argon costs $$$ so does rod, cover lens, gloves, metal and electricity. 6-8 hours work far into the night is worth something either if I have it done or do it.

I don't have a shop, I have my garage. If you come visit, bring what you want to feel content, I only have bottles of water for drinking. You're not allowed to touch the cars unless you have a polishing rag in your hand (no tools please). And all of the liquor bottles and decanters on the shelves are full; you can look but don't touch. Many are at least 30 years old and are not sold anymore, so don't even think about taste tests.

Other than that only other policy, my tools don't leave the garage. If you want to borrow tools to take home, go find another neighbor.

Bentwings you're welcome to call and make an appointment at our shop any time !! you got the idea !

I see pictures and posts all the time where a guy has a bunch of his buddies helping to build some car. Maybe I'm somewhat of a loner and although I like friends, I usually go to the shop to be alone with my thoughts. I find it somewhat distracting to have people there while I am trying to iron out some problem, and I agree with the statement above that the work comes to a halt usually when friends stop by.

Even when I am in the shop with my two Sons we mostly are either deep in our own projects and pretty much only talk when we need a second opinion, or help to lift something. It isn't that I am anti-social or anything, but I'm probably like most people, I get so little time to go there that I need to get as much done as possible.

But everyone is different. I know lots of people who love having all their friends around them all the time, and can carry on conversations while working. I have trouble chewing gum and walking at the same time.

Don

Man there seems to be a lot of "RULES" to building Hot Rods. I've been working and building them for a lot of years guess I need to get me a set of signs with all of these rules on em, don't have a clue how I've gotten by so long without following all of these "RULES". Guess I have been doing it wrong. Who would have thought I missed that important part.

Roland

most of these guys with the stricktest of rules run buisnesses from their shops .. i dont do customer work .. rarely even do friends or family work .. gotton lazy to the point where i dont even want to do my own work .. i hire a buddy to fix my " normal " vehicles ..

" I have enough tools, Don`t act like one"

Originally Posted by bannedleader

" I have enough tools, Don`t act like one"

I like that!!