New to the site

[ed1227]

Hi All,

I retired from the Army earlier this year and am interested in getting into repairing small engine equipment (i.e. lawnmowers, weed eaters, etc.) for fun and a little profit. I moved to southeast Alabama and have a nice shop building behind the house and own most of the needed tools so the first goal is to find a couple of cheap lawnmowers. I look forward to reading the posts on the site and appreciate any advice and suggestions provided.

-Ed

 

[whateg01]

Welcome aboard! Thanks for letting us know about your service. Now we know to use small words! Jk! Ex-Navy, so I can't pass up the chance. My daughter's bf is ex-army so it's like a past time for me. At least you weren't space Force!

Folks around here like pictures, so let's see that shop! Also keep in mind that if you are going to work on mowers you need at least a 10k 2 post lift and $30k of snap on tools.

 

[DekNgo]

Welcome

 

[cgrutt]

Thanks for your service! Welcome aboard bunch of good peeps and info here.

 

[nadogail]

Used "ready to repair" Lawn Mowers are frequently listed on Craig's List. Usually you will be thanked for hauling them away.

 

[micromind]

Welcome from western Nevada.

 

[jblnut]

Thank you for your service and welcome to the mad house.

If you’re not careful there are people on here will convince you that you need a whole new set of tools to put in an addition to the shop you already have to work on things you didn’t know you needed. Then we’ll try to convince you that you need a pay loader to move snow, you know just in case it snows in AL, and a a Honda Ridgeline to do all your heavy hauling.

Don’t forget to post plenty of pictures !! We’re simple folk (well at least I am) and like pictures !!

 

[ed1227]

All,

Thanks for the responses. Have the building out back but not set up yet so pictures to come after I have that squared away. Any recommendations on good books on engine repair? There seems to be a ton of them on Amazon. Thanks in advance.

-Ed

 

[whitesco]

Welcome!

 

[dcg9381]

I moved to southeast Alabama and have a nice shop building behind the house and own most of the needed tools so the first goal is to find a couple of cheap lawnmowers.

I'd not buy a darn thing. I'd just advertise on Facebook offering "small engine repair" and you'll be doing 90% carb work. Fix the "easy stuff" margin it, and move on.

I respect a quality rebuild, but if I was doing this as a "profitable" hobby, I wouldn't be doing much engine work.

 

[whateg01]

I'd not buy a darn thing. I'd just advertise on Facebook offering "small engine repair" and you'll be doing 90% carb work. Fix the "easy stuff" margin it, and move on.

I respect a quality rebuild, but if I was doing this as a "profitable" hobby, I wouldn't be doing much engine work.

If it comes close to the carb, the profitable thing is just to swap it. You can't make money even just cleaning carbs.

 

[dcg9381]

If it comes close to the carb, the profitable thing is just to swap it. You can't make money even just cleaning carbs.

I think most "small engine" jobs (at least those around here) are carb / fuel jobs. And I agree, I've started replacing carbs where I can find "decent" replacement over fussing with the rebuilds. But some of them are dead-simple and if you've got the right tools, you can save the 3-day wait (or whatever it is in Alabama) for Amazon to deliver a new (China) carb.

 

[djbmw]

Welcome on board!
Most of what you'll need are things like valve clearance specs, and magneto spacing specs, etc. The internet is likely faster/easier than books

 

[rsparks64]

Welcome. This place is a treasure trove of information. Be sure to do searches of all the threads and forums for information and then post your questions on the appropriate section.

 

[ed1227]

Welcome on board!
Most of what you'll need are things like valve clearance specs, and magneto spacing specs, etc. The internet is likely faster/easier than book.

 

[ed1227]

Yes, learning a lot watching youtube videos.