Garage Buddies

[garboui]

Im not talking about the semi competent friend that just makes your life more difficult when they come over to "help". I talking about a friend that knows how to do things and contributes to having a great time hanging out in the garage while helping with repairs, 'fabs, and stupid forthe hell of it projects. I've written this as Im the one hosting my projects but this is a two way street of course.

Before I moved some years ago I had this relationship with my best friend. It was great. It was motivating and really got **** done all while having some good quality time with a friend. Now where I am I have no local 'bud' to just work on stuff with. I miss it. I know finding a replacement is not something I can find by just trolling my local PA but finding good friends in general is difficult so that only compounds the issue.

I know some of you really enjoy working alone, I even do sometimes, but do any of you have similar problems?

 

[gregtwojeeps]

Must be an "age" thing. I don't want another old fart in my garage with me farting and stinking up the place worse than I do.

Back on point. I see your issue but as you get older your priorities will change about wanting a male friend around so much. For now though, cruise your neighborhood and check out the drives for rods or garage doors open that has a guy wrenching in it. Stop in and introduce yourself as the new neighbor down the street. May end up with a new garage buddy or a boot in your keester. Or start going to car/rod /trade shows locally, great way to meet fellow gearheads/hobbyists. Friends are "made" and earned. jmo

 

[Ray916MN]

Wish I had a good garage buddy. If I did, I would tackle more heavy jobs like changing the front differential in my Titan.

There are all sorts of jobs which are infinitely easier to do with another set of hands. There is more than one way to skin a cat and you can get much better at doing things when you get to see different ways to do things.

 

[Zeke]

I'd pay to have some help but I'm not about to sort through humanity to see who won't steal from me.

 

[motofool33]

go to events that involve the hobby your into, talk with people invite them over to see your stuff, or offer to help on thiers

 

[koditten]

I know what you are talking about. I got one buddy that is a desk jockey, but for some reason he can intuitively know what tool or part I will need next. He can be drinking a beer, yet knows that he can save everybody some time by just handing you what you need right when you need it.

Some people have the ability to think ahead and it makes the jobs so much smoother.

 

[zkdiesel]

I'd pay to have some help but I'm not about to sort through humanity to see who won't steal from me.

I do this with a friend. He enjoys it, but free food, beer and atleast $30 for a nights worth of help he gives me on jobs so big I can't accomplish them easily by myself. The $$ I pay is worth it, and then the nights I call him when I need help he gladly comes over if his schedule acomidates and we are both happy

 

[Tucko]

I'd pay to have some help but I'm not about to sort through humanity to see who won't steal from me.

Darnit Zeke, I was on my way over too....

 

[Stevie-Ray]

I sorta wish I had a garage buddy, but I also really do enjoy the solitude. I NEVER had a partner that would help with projects, though my brother always offers his help-I refuse as his health is failing. Where I used to live, my NDN had large shed that was his man-cave. He would host get-togethers with the NDN on the other side of me, a mutual friend from a couple streets over, his best friend and myself. We always had a blast and I rather miss it. I doubt I'll ever do that again, though I have a perfect garage for it. At least it WILL be when I clear all the **** out of it. Think from now on, I'm flying solo. But then again, I've been here less than a year.

 

[Art From De Leon]

When I had my 'shop' in Texas, I doubt if more than half a dozen people were inside of it over the course of six years, other than the builders (Morton, the cement contractor, and the guy who built my house), and of the six or so, one is a friend whom I have known for over 40 years.

What people do NOT know, they cannot tell others about.

 

[crewchief888]

no friends


garage or otherwise

 

[Kevin54]

Wish I had a good garage buddy. If I did, I would tackle more heavy jobs like changing the front differential in my Titan.

There are all sorts of jobs which are infinitely easier to do with another set of hands. There is more than one way to skin a cat and you can get much better at doing things when you get to see different ways to do things.

no friends


garage or otherwise

I think I'm in the same boat with you guys, if you don't mind me riding along.

After leaving the shop, I found out who my friends really were. Most of my friends are the ones on here.

 

[crewchief888]

I think I'm in the same boat with you guys, if you don't mind me riding along.

After leaving the shop, I found out who my friends really were. Most of my friends are the ones on here.

ive made it a a point to not become afterwork friends with the poeple i work with, it's always lead to problems.

i've parted ways with my 4x4 and racing friends for one reason or another, mostly just dont have time to do the things we used to do, time and distance are a huge factor.
many were sorta just starting to have a family, young'uns and "adult activities" make for some awkward moments

 

[coal_man]

My dad is always up for a good project in my garage or his. We live about 2 miles apart in the same neighborhood. We ride our golf carts back and forth. I enjoy his company and appreciate his help and input. He's always up for a cold one when we're done.

coal_man

 

[Allenw]

My son is mine or maybe I'm his it just depends on what we're doing. Lost a good friend a few years ago that I could bounce ideas and problems off of but his wrench turning days were past.

 

[Mike in Ohio]

My dad is always up for a good project in my garage or his. We live about 2 miles apart in the same neighborhood. We ride our golf carts back and forth. I enjoy his company and appreciate his help and input. He's always up for a cold one when we're done.

coal_man

Almost my exact situation, since dad retired he has become somewhat fearless, things he would hire out years ago he is ready to try himself nowadays. This is pretty good when working in the shop, but the calls from Mom at 2 in the afternoon while I am at work that begin " Do you know what your father is doing right now?" can be pretty scary.

The all time absolute best was from my then wife, she was looking out our back window while taking to me on the phone and I quote "Your dad and uncle have the backhoe down in the pasture, the wheels are turning but it is not moving. Should I be concerned?" It took 2 fair sized wreckers to drag it back out.

 

[A**holes Garage]

Plenty of friends and garage buds. They show even if I have no projects.
Lots of beer, bourbon, tequila and cigars consumed.

 

[slickstysix]

Buddies can be invaluable. I have a friend that I actually met thru work that has the same interests as me in terms of cars, garages, hot rods, etc. We help each other with our projects and loan tools without hesitation. It works out good since he has a lift, I have a welder and so forth. It eliminates duplicate tool purchases.
We both consider each other "the other halves" of our brains since we generally don't come up with the best plan of attack to a problem unless we collaborate.

 

[Throbbin Rods]

Only ever had two, one was a neighbor who became a GB. Only two people in the world I trust to borrow my tools. Done projects with both and it was like we were born working together. One is my age (59) and the other is 20 years younger.

 

[Matt M PA]

I have a guy that helps me sometimes. He's about half my age, but really a gearhead and a huge help sometimes. It's worked out very well as a friendship and as helpers. He'll help me with a project...and sometimes use my lift to do a project on his car. Best of all...he is OCD like I am.

That being said, my car club friends and I help each other a good bit too. I've been very fortunate.

 

[Notgrownup]

When I moved to NC from Canada I hadno guy friends for like 15 years, just chicks which didn't go too well with the wife, nothing ever went on with them but still....I then joined a Motorcycle riding club and met several very good and trustworthy friends that I help and get help from. So all this to say, find an activity where you co mingle with like minds then that is what starts friendships. Even better if the wives get along that way there is excuses to hang around.

 

[Outlander]

I have work buddies, golf buddies, ATV buddies but sadly, no garage buddies.

 

[dodgemike]

I belong to a loosely formed car
club. No rules no dues and by
invitation only. There are about
twenty of us that help each other.
I managed to get designated the
welder. But 99% of my stuff I do
alone. Trying to build a motor and
having ten guys asking things while
your checking clearances is a mis
take waiting to happen. My garage
is my place to get away . When
I was younger I had I good friend.
We raced together worked on each
others cars etc. He moved and I
kinda went the do it myself route.

Sent from my SCH-S720C using Tapatalk 2

 

[D350RDV]

There used to be a really good gang of us who had known each other since school that all used to use my workshop for our various projects. We used to get lots done, with plenty of spare hands for the two person jobs and lots of very poor humour. We're all still good friends, but most of the guys now have families so are very seldom around, and don't have their own projects anymore either.

Fortunately for me, a friend's brother set-up as a self employed mechanic a couple of years ago and I offered him a regular day a week to help me as I'm running or restoring about 20 classic cars, Land-Rovers and tractors, some of which are still earning their keep in my business. In return for the regular work he agreed a very good rate, and he enjoys the work, so it's stayed low.

There are very few other people who I would even want to let in my workshop, never mind use any of my tools though.

 

[Mach5]

My dad and I used to work together when we lived under the same roof. I think I was about the only person he'd trust with his tools back then. I'd been helping him in the garage since I was 5...maybe younger. My stepdad usually had me helping him, too.

As an adult I never really had a GB until I moved to AZ. My best friend and I discovered early on that we both like wrenching and old cars and such. We help each other out regularly, have each other's garage codes, and at any given moment have each other's tools. Right now I have his table and chop saws and his air nail brad staple and nail guns that I've been using for various projects in my garage and house.

Sent from my SPH-L710 using Tapatalk

 

[pepi]

To much of a distraction, like my own ideas to be in need of buddies in my work space.

 

[BoostAddiction]

My younger brother is my only GB. He comes over every couple of weeks to work on car projects and is a tremendous help.

I get so much more done with him in the garage. I don't enjoy working alone as much, and of course, having a second pair of eyes makes things go smoother- helps reduce the "oops" factor!

 

[LeonardY]

I have buddies who work in their own garages and we compare notes over a beer.

I do have a neighbor that wants to be a garage buddy but he's pretty much useless. He just keeps bringing things over he's broken. I've tried to help but it's gotten to the point that it's intrusive.

 

[Stevie-Ray]

My dad is always up for a good project in my garage or his. We live about 2 miles apart in the same neighborhood. We ride our golf carts back and forth. I enjoy his company and appreciate his help and input. He's always up for a cold one when we're done.

coal_man

Cherish those times. My dad was my beer buddy also. Lost him in 1987 and still miss him terribly.

 

[Rod N]

Are we not your garage buddies?

I just started paying the kid next door (Licensed mechanic) to do a few things on one car while I worked on another. He can do the BMW starter from under the car with jack stands and I will do the brakes on my track car. What job would you rather do?

I'm the guy that goes over to other's places to help them.

My stuff I'd rather do myself (but it would be nice if they offered)

But, having said that, I'd rather have a couple of beers with my buds and have quality time and chill with them rather than have them help me. Life is short ......

 

[don long]

I have a few guys that will drop by from time to time.
Working all day around my place has forced me to find a good grounds keeper
That I pick up every morning at 6:30 and take him back home in the afternoon around 4.M. he has been the most help for me Lately.

I had a guy that came over almost every day when he had his project here to work on and we shared our time on each others projects. That was great
unfortunately it was costing him $$$ in gas money he didn't have so after his project was drivable he hasn't been able to come around as often

 

[countryroad82]

I used to have someone stopping by the shop just about every evening. They would either help me if they could or work on whatever project they brought along. There was plenty of bench racing, smoking cigars, beer/liqueur consumed, lies told, and more importantly, work done. Now there are just a few that swing by on occasion. Life got in the way of the rest of the guys, plus I weeded out the 'users' long ago.

 

[Terracar]

I used to have a wrench buddy that made life so much easier on the big jobs. We worked great together and did so without getting in each other's way. Just say here is what we're doing and away we went. Sadly we parted ways about 10 years back.

I no longer have a wrench buddy and hell with as lazy as I am, it is a good thing. My best friend is great at swinging a hammer and anything else, but is clueless with cars. Hell even my brother adds time to a basic oil change. While I generally like working on the car alone, when you have someone you don't have to babysit and can shoot the **** while still turning the wrench it makes it that much better.

I only have another 5-6 years until I can start teaching my son to turn a wrench, he is 20 months today as a matter of fact.

Cheers to the wrench buddies!

-Terracar

 

[egnorant]

I have a brother! Can't tell you how many projects have been pushed forward due to kicking each other in the **** on occasion or knowing that you have an extra pair of hands for some difficult project.

Have a few friends that come to my shop and I go to theirs. A lot of tools make the rounds or we make the trip to the tools! Buddy with the tire machine borrows the transmission jack or the neighbor borrows the chipper and loans me his chainsaw.

Bruce

 

[RV77]

I'd pay to have some help but I'm not about to sort through humanity to see who won't steal from me.

Yea Aint that the truth....I hardly trust anyone.

 

[gearhead1]

My GB and I build demolition derby cars together. We're both gearheads, know what we're doing in a shop, don't abuse tools, and work safely. We also like to wipe the tools down and put them back at the end of the night. It works for us. I could loan him anything. I wouldn't let some people in my shop and for sure wouldn't loan them a tool. It's cool when you have the right GB you can work on stuff with. I always say you don't double your output with two people, you triple it.

 

[Sabaka]

3333

 

[Charles (in GA)]

When I had my 'shop' in Texas, I doubt if more than half a dozen people were inside of it over the course of six years, other than the builders (Morton, the cement contractor, and the guy who built my house), and of the six or so, one is a friend whom I have known for over 40 years.

What people do NOT know, they cannot tell others about.

When I have hired work done, such as tree cutting, or talking to a local metal roofer (ended up not using him) I stress the importance of having good long term workers that know to keep their mouths shut about what and where they see stuff.

Charles

 

[ncaddy87]

I've got my dad. We've been swinging hammers together since I could walk. His health and eye sight have declined so he doesn't do a lot of the wrenching but he's great for ideas and an extra set of hands. We have a lot of fun together.
I used to wrench on all kinds of cars and trucks every day with two or three guys about 8 years ago but haven't had the room or money and now I don't have the cars. All my buddies, including me, got busy with life so now we just catch up from time to time, but I hope to have another garage buddy someday.

 

[The mean fish]

I've got a couple close friends who really stepped up and helped me do a majority of the construction work on my shop when I physically couldn't. I was diagnosed with cancer a couple weeks after I had the slab poured and had the lumber delivered, that puts a damper on any construction schedule.

I'd easily trust any of these guys with my tools or the keys to my shop whether I'm there or not. Only 1 in particular gives a damn about wrenching, welding or any other shop stuff so it's not like I have a lot to be worried about.