Equipment required for start up?

[mccannable]

I am probably a bit different than most folks here. I am not a professional mechanic and do not intend to be. I have been planning opening my garage heavily for about a year. Few years ago went back to school to take as many business and accounting classes and have learned alot. I am currently working with some successful mentors which have been a great help but wanted to ask this community(which seems very respectable) that I have been following for some time.

 

What is the must have equipment for general repair shop start up? We plan on focusing on european makes because of lack of local support but I know a lot of the major (non diagnostic) equipment is universal. A list of the core required equipment that “you” see necessary would be appreciated.

 

Thanks in advance.

Edited September 4, 2013 by mccannable

[ncautoshop]

Scan tool and digital storage oscilloscope are both a must. Dealer level scan tools are a big plus. Good tire machine and balancer adds more ability to keep the customer in your shop. Lifts of course. Its hard to say what the shop supplies and the tech supplies but oil drains and tanks are owner responsibility.

 

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[Sean]

I would account for the small things as well like compressed air, AC machine, brake lathe( or not depending), plan and budget for a subscription to mitchell, all data or identifix, two post lift/lifts etc.

[Pjauto]

What they said... And a EVAP smoke machine, alignment machine, a hydraulic press, look into not just lifts but low profile lifts if euro will be your specialty. And you best get the uber nice tire changer due to the euro wheels. Get ready to drop 75-100k quick, then even more as needed and things progress.

[mspecperformance]

If Euros are going to be your speciality, you'll be dumping a lot of money into the odd specialty tool you'll need for suspension components, bushings & ball joints, engine timing tools, and all kinds of specialty jobs. Its hard to put a price tag on this stuff since you'll eventually come across a car (monthly at least) you'll need some other unique tool.

[mccannable]

thanks for all the advice. my list, which should have been included in first post, included:

-2 lifts

-trans jack

-press

-tanks for waste oil

-compressor

-oil catch

-floor jacks

 

this list is the hold off until after first few months or as needed

- brake lathe (main mentor recommend against)

- fluid exchangers

- ac diagnostic equipment(what i now the least about)

- tire chaning/wheel balancing (do not, at this time, plan on tires)

 

also planned on subscriptions to all data/identifix and a plethora of scan tools/factory clone tools. This is a big area of opportunity as there are many options. Besides my GT1 tool I will probably start with autoenginuity as it looks for the start up.

 

and then from the suggestions:

- digital storage oscilloscope

- evap smoke machine

- specialty suspension tools

- alignment machine - alot of shops around sub out alignments, not sure if they are missing out or are being wise.

[phynny]

The most important tool is a great mechanic that is an ace at electrical troubleshooting.

[Jeff]

If you are in Florida you will be missing a HUGE market if you don't have an A/C machine. I would recommend a brake lathe..if ya can find one used even better. Those 2 pieces of equipment have made me as much money as all my diag tools. I can cut a rotor for less than a new and my customers don't think I am just trying to sell them a bill of goods. I also turn rotors for a few of the nearby shops and DIY folks sent down by my parts store. And if you intend to do any A/C work by Florida law you are required to have an A?C recovery machine or so I understand. No venting to atmosphere.

[xrac]

To this list I will add a cutting torch which can be invaluable in removing frozen nuts, bolts, and parts. You will also need a rotor and a drum micrometer. Plus a subscription to some type of labor and repair information guide. We use Alldata and Identifix. You will also need a computer and some type of POS system. I would thing some floor fans would also be a necessity in Florida. Did anyone mention a battery charger and a jumper box of some sort?

[mccannable]

a great mechanic is our biggest concern.

 

cutting rotors for other shops and diy'ers sounds like a great idea.

-floor fans, i see your point

-cutting torch

-drum micrometer, seems pricey. do you guy still see alot of drum brakes?

-battery charger(fortunately i already own one)

-jump box

 

pos system we have decided on garage partner per our mentors recommendation.

[xrac]

There are still a lot of drum brakes around. You will also need a work bench, bench grinder, and a good vice. If you do heavier work you will need an engine hoist, and engine stand.

[phynny]

Torches are a good one, can't live w/o them. I wouldn't buy a lathe, cutting rotors for the most part is a thing of the past. The metals in the rotors anymore just don't hold up. We have the machines as do many shops in our area but there is nowhere to get rotors turned. No one will do it, just not worth it IMHO.

[Gonzo]

a great mechanic is our biggest concern.

 

cutting rotors for other shops and diy'ers sounds like a great idea.

-floor fans, i see your point

-cutting torch

-drum micrometer, seems pricey. do you guy still see alot of drum brakes?

-battery charger(fortunately i already own one)

-jump box

 

pos system we have decided on garage partner per our mentors recommendation.

A couple of tips for hiring a mechanic

Ask for references obviously. Certifications such as ASE is helpful ... if nothing else it at least shows they care about their field of expertise to take the tests. Back when I would hire people in I had a little pre-test that I would ask them to take before they turned in their application. A couple of abbreviations, some standard terms, a few trick questions, and a couple of laughable type answer questions. They had to fill the test out without the aide of a helper or internet. Ya can't take it home and bring it back. The reason for this is you're after their "first" reaction to the questions ... this is important especially when they are talking to a customer. The wrong thing said to a customer at the wrong time can be devastating to your bottom line.

 

It helps weed out the "wanna-be" mechancis.

 

A typical question was something like: What does TPS stand for? things like that. Then I would put a couple of question in there that "if" they have been around a lot they might know the answer. Such as, (This was an ASE question years and years ago) What manufacturer requires removing the spare tire to gain access to the starter?" answer... Subaru

Then I'd have a real dumb question like: "How many wiper blades on a 1983 Corvette?" a. 1 b. 2 c. 3 d. none

answer... none. (There was no Corvettes in production in 1983 only two were ever made as prototypes)