getting started
#1
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Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 365
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From: Stratford Ontario Canada
Bikes: NORCO, GIANT
getting started
Ive been fixing and building bikes for years now. Its turned into a full time thing so Im going to run with it. I dont have the tools I need to to fix all the bikes that come to me. I want to outfit myself with what I need ... truing stand a good bike stand and tools. I have all this but its home made or wore out. I would like to go with park tools. I have a 2000 dollar budget. Whats the best bang for my buck. thanks
#3
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 5,559
Likes: 53
From: The 'Wack, BC, Canada
Bikes: Norco (2), Miyata, Canondale, Soma, Redline
Yep, once you're established as a new buisiness you can get accounts with the local distributors. That will gain you access to buying your tools and parts at dealer cost.
The only other thing I'll add is that if you are looking at two items and one seems to be too big and bulky then the one to get is the one that is too big and bulky. For tools solid and heavy is almost always better both from aspects of durability and effectiveness. For example the bench vise you get should be so heavy that it takes a big grunt and getting red in the face to lift it into place for mounting.
One LBS that I hang out at has a big welded structure with to of the heavy duty Park clamps so that two mechanics can work on bikes at the same time. this rig is also a "four poster" with the four uprights of 2x2 sq tubing as the center post. The lower part has steel shelves for some of the more commonly used parts and the counter height shelf is a tool tray. Hooks for other tools festoon the upper upright and cross braces. This stand is then bolted to the floor. It is SOLID. It is also extremely permanent so it's only good for a dedicated shop. But if that is what you'll have then something of the sort would be the way to go rather than any of the moveable stands. And the idea of two bike clamps isn't as excessive as you'd imagine since it allows you to have a longer term project on the go but mount up a quick drop in project on the other side without disturbing everything.
The point of describing all this is that while you should still do things on a budget you don't want to use the same mindset for a proper shop as you would have for even a good home shop. Also YOU are the one using the tools and if you've been doing this for a while now you should have a far better idea then us for what you want and where you want to go overboard with the best and save by buying a smaller item in other areas. And there is nothing wrong with home made stuff if it is well done. If you have access to some metal working machines and can make your own tools then you will likely be able to do as well or even better than some of the Park offereings.
The only other thing I'll add is that if you are looking at two items and one seems to be too big and bulky then the one to get is the one that is too big and bulky. For tools solid and heavy is almost always better both from aspects of durability and effectiveness. For example the bench vise you get should be so heavy that it takes a big grunt and getting red in the face to lift it into place for mounting.
One LBS that I hang out at has a big welded structure with to of the heavy duty Park clamps so that two mechanics can work on bikes at the same time. this rig is also a "four poster" with the four uprights of 2x2 sq tubing as the center post. The lower part has steel shelves for some of the more commonly used parts and the counter height shelf is a tool tray. Hooks for other tools festoon the upper upright and cross braces. This stand is then bolted to the floor. It is SOLID. It is also extremely permanent so it's only good for a dedicated shop. But if that is what you'll have then something of the sort would be the way to go rather than any of the moveable stands. And the idea of two bike clamps isn't as excessive as you'd imagine since it allows you to have a longer term project on the go but mount up a quick drop in project on the other side without disturbing everything.
The point of describing all this is that while you should still do things on a budget you don't want to use the same mindset for a proper shop as you would have for even a good home shop. Also YOU are the one using the tools and if you've been doing this for a while now you should have a far better idea then us for what you want and where you want to go overboard with the best and save by buying a smaller item in other areas. And there is nothing wrong with home made stuff if it is well done. If you have access to some metal working machines and can make your own tools then you will likely be able to do as well or even better than some of the Park offereings.
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