Northern Monkeys meet Souther Puffs!

[e21-Mark]

Am going up to Leeds on Saturday the 2nd July to collect MIB from Mr Nas and we thought we could have a bit of a Northern mini-meet kinda thing? Unfortunately, I only have the day as I have to be back darn' sarf' for the Sunday.

So, is there anyone about for a couple of hours on the Saturday afternoon?

[arshad76]

Hi Mark,

Bit of an odd one, I'm hoping to drop of my E21 in Doncaster about 1 pm for some rust proofing and then train it back to Macclesfield. Not sure if you could come to Doncaster, but it would be nice to see your car and buy you a coffee.

[e21-Mark]

I'll see what my schedule ends up being like. I was even thinking of getting the train up on Friday night and staying over in Leeds, so that I have the whole of Saturday? I want to get back for Bimmerflex on the Sunday & I'm supposed to be at Brands on the Friday too. I'm thinking I might have to give Brands a miss though.

[murran]

oh bugger, ive got a fiddle job on on that saturday! putting a head back on on a 5cyl transporter van... guys paying me £200!

[e21mad]

oh bugger, ive got a fiddle job on on that saturday! putting a head back on on a 5cyl transporter van... guys paying me £200!

Damn! I'll have to raise my rates! I'm charging £150.00

[drjim]

Get Nas to have a problem, Mark comes up the following week, me and my Baur can come too.

[e21-Mark]

It's killing me waiting till the 2nd Jim! I'm planning on going to Bimmerflex on Sunday the 3rd too!

I'm up for making a return visit sometime later in the year though unless some of you guys can get to Gaydon?

[drjim]

Sadly given my family and work commitments, going to shows is tricky. Maybe we could try to do something for the Tatton park show later in the year??

[murran]

oh bugger, ive got a fiddle job on on that saturday! putting a head back on on a 5cyl transporter van... guys paying me £200!

Damn! I'll have to raise my rates! I'm charging £150.00

ey.... £200 earnt in a day.
fooking wish i could do that everyday. sadly not tho, im destined to be a low earner so it seems.

if i come into some money when my grandad or dad die (which i should do), im either paying off the house completely (be £400 better off each month not paying the mortgage) or starting up a garage on my own (risky in the present climate) or selling up and moving to new zealand (greener pastures, qualified mechanics are or the skills shortage list). i havent decided yet.

[e21-Mark]

If I had the skills I would definately prefer to work for myself. I guess there's more risk tho and more pressure if you've got a young family to support?

[e21mad]

Starting a garage is very risky indeed. By the time you pay for the equipement and the insurance and the hazmat handling and the licences and the rates and the lease, You need to turn over a great deal every day to pay for it. Then to do that you need staff to work on other cars at the same time as you in order to make that money and then pay wages on top. I have worked in the trade and I will tell you, its this heavy overhead that makes good garages go bad and start doing unneccisary work or start cutting corners. Best to stay as a hobbie unless you get lucky and buy an already going concern.

[murran]

im already a tester and mechanic so its hasnt been a hobby for over 10 years now... if i was running our place, theres alot of things id do differently.... working for somoneelse sucks balls.

[DrGonzoPOW]

Im contemplating getting a part time job and working on a few bits and bats in the fantasy factory. Got a bit ov cash saved up to buy some gear. Worth a try i reckon.

[e21mad]

more power to the both of ya I got tired of the garage scene years ago but I have a very deep wish to put my machining skills back to work in a chip foose type shop. start one of those and Ill consider moving! O.O

[DrGonzoPOW]

Foose is mega. Dont think id ever be able to get anywhere close to his skills! Im thinking more along the lines of buying, refurbishing and selling parts along with a bit of fabrication.