'Porsche buddies' and Club equipment

[Mrkjblue]

The workshop idea is certainly something I would be intrested in, and would willingly help on jobs ive had experiance with.
not so sure on the spanners idea as we will all rate ourselves diffrently, some modest some "over enthusiastic" how about a list of areas of expertise/jobs completed this would be easy to place in the member profile,
but whatever, I'm in. []

 

[bones]

Don't worry Kevin if we get the go ahead on this we can work out the grading as we go along, I have a plan, meanwhile another engine pic.

 

[Guest]

On the idea of the garage hire thingy...
Back in oz there are a few commercial places that are setup like a proper workshop, where you hire some floor space and can hire specialist tools. Very popular.
But,.. what if the PCGB where to buy a large shed, deck it out with a pit, ramps, compressed air, etc. Include some insurance for third party, fire extinguishers, etc. Then hire out the floor space; so much per bay per day, plus specialist tools per hour. A booking system could be run, with even a visual thing here on the forum showing whats booked ahead, ie, a simple spread-sheet - calendar. Weekends would be popular, and the tarif during mid-week could be cheaper - this would encourage constant use of the complex.
As the idea took on, a spray booth could be added next door.
To make it a real success, a good allround mechanical person could be employed to run the shop (it would be a fun job - light hearted!)
whatyasthink?

By the way- what the most common size thread/bolt on a 911?
Any takers?[8D]

 

[bones]

Sounds good to me P915 the only problem I could see is that as a National club it could be seen as unfair to people who live nowhere near the workshop. I'll go for 13mm with 10 mm a close second. (spanner size not thread)

 

[Guest]

Bones,
Yeah, those that lived in the Cotswolds would be handy, but it wouldn't need be next to the HQ; could be anywhere? Or more than one????

The 17mm would have to be a close third?
Favourite tool - metal that is?

Peter

 

[Guest]

But,.. what if the PCGB where to buy a large shed,

This could be another use for the large lorry they have just bought.

Whoops, have I troden on dangerous ground, mentioning this ? As if I would attempt to be devil's advocate !

 

[Guest]

ORIGINAL: peter915

Favourite tool - metal that is?

That would be the Facom 3/8" drive ratchet

 

[bones]

I'm jealous of your avatar John I'm going to try and make a rival up soon.
The idea of a travelling workshop is brilliant, imagine ringing HQ and ordering that to turn up and park outside your house for a few days. We could take advertising for the sides too and sell club merchandise as a side line!

 

[bones]

Facom is that a euphemism for get lost ? My favourite tool is (how sad is this topic) the soldering iron.

 

[RSGulp]

Off topic and quite sad I know - but I'll give it a go anyway...

Favorite tool? Stroboscopic timing light.

I restored a 71 beetle back in 1990, and built a 'slightly hot' 1641cc engine from scratch. I could tell if the engine was out of tune, or even how pitted the points were just by winding down the window and listening to the engine while stopped at traffic lights.

I had shining-up the rotor arm, dizzy contacts and setting the points gap down to a tee, and the strobe timing light always came in handy for those early 90s raves in the garage...

 

[Guest]

ORIGINAL: bones

Facom is that a euphemism for get lost ? My favourite tool is (how sad is this topic) the soldering iron.

Sad topic? Only to those who know nothing of the joys of dirty fingernails mate - facom is a genuine manufacturer but you are right, have been known to sqeeze the word (with obvious emphasis) into conversation with irritating customers. Love the Facom stuff but am a big fan of the snap-on timing light a la Rich C's post too.

Facom also do a long rubber tube for getting spark plugs out of mineshaft-like Alpine plug holes - would also work for Porsches I guess, that is a marvellous thing as well. And they have the best oil filter tools....

On second thoughts you're right Bones, this is a tremendously sad (off)topic!

 

[944Turbo]

On the idea of the garage hire thingy...
Back in oz there are a few commercial places that are setup like a proper workshop, where you hire some floor space and can hire specialist tools. Very popular.

I had a rough idea along these lines in the UK - setting up a nice workshop with tools/ramps to hire. Didn't know it had worked elsewhere. I might have to give it some more serious consideration. Trouble is property (and tool!) prices in the UK might make it harder to turn a profit.

Tony

 

[Guest]

Tony,
You'd need to keep an eye on thieving, tools and equipment - from a DIY workshop. It would need to be run like a school machine shop, with someone behind a secure lockup and sign-up for each tool.
Should work otherwise.
Peter

 

[RSGulp]

In Germany there is a national chain of workshops which appear to be similar in appearance to KwikFit in the UK - out of town sites, brightly coloured logos and liveries, etc.

However, they are only there for public use and are hired out by the hour/half day/full day. Obviously weekday hours are better value than evening or weekend hours. Tools are available for hire and I think the cost of hire also includes a premium for public liability insurance (grazed knuckles and bruised confidence not included). There are staff there who hire out the tools and will show you how to use them before you are let lose on your own car.

My bro lives in Dortmund and regularly uses his local hire workshop for various tuning jobs on his Renaultsport Clio.

I could see it working in the UK - lots of classic/tuning/sportscar/shoe-string-budget drivers who would use the facility. It would just need the likes of Halfords to see it as a viable venture.

I'm not sure PCGB could offer such a facility, as it's been mentioned above, they probably couldn't justify funding a resource which wouldn't be used/of interest to a large number of members. Although the travelling 'support truck' is a great idea - maybe Porsche Motorsport have a spare they could lend when not supporting the pros?

By reading the threads on the various register forums you really begin to get a sense of what's important to different Porsche owners. Some owners are very much into fixing problems themselves, looking for advice or 'how-to's and pics of oily parts and others are fascinated by OPC dealership service, trade-in values, options and accessories and GPS systems. It naturally happens when a manufacturer makes a great product, with similar appeal whether it's 3mnths old or 30 yrs old.

 

[Diver944]

Re the specialist tools, I would speak to Steve Kevlin at Club Office as I know the club already has some that are available for loan. I know they have a 944 belt tensioning tool and also a full set of workshop manuals, so I am guessing there must also be others for the other models.

Most large towns will have a place that you can hire workshop space, lifts and tools similar to this place in Milton Keynes:

www.okdiy.co.uk/motor/motor.htm

 

[bones]

Hey Paul if you have some inside info on most towns having a space where you can hire space etc let us all know. I for one after doing many hours of research on the internet , the library and in conversation have found one only for VWs. The club does have some tools but not nearly enough considering the membership figure.

 

[Guest]

Properly organized and setup the "workshop" could be a self funding venture with gear for sale, tools, parts, etc.
With an outside storage parking area, people with cars waiting/long term repairs could leave their porka's overnight, without incurring rental fees for floor space (overnight).
Local B&B's would enjoy further patrons, etc.
The whole thing would totally piss-off any OPC!
My heart bleeds.[:-]
Peter

 

[bones]

'......By reading the threads on the various register forums you really begin to get a sense of what's important to different Porsche owners. Some owners are very much into fixing problems themselves, looking for advice or 'how-to's and pics of oily parts and others are fascinated by OPC dealership service, trade-in values, options and accessories and GPS systems. It naturally happens when a manufacturer makes a great product, with similar appeal whether it's 3mnths old or 30 yrs old...'.

Great point Richard wish I'd said that....lol

 

[bones]

Brief update ....'Running Reports ' will be trialed soon and spanner icons will be added to the smilies list so they can be included in members sig's.

 

[Guest]

club/region tools would be a great idea especially for things like the crowfoot wrench needed to get the cams off, 100ish quid is a lot for something you will only need once!!!!