Working on cars - people around, or no?

[addyguy]

What is your 'policy' when working on cars - do you always make sure there is someone else around when working on a car if something goes wrong, or are you comfortable doing stuff when absolutely no-one is around?

Does it depend on what you are doing - routine oil changes maybe you do when completely alone, but wait 'till people are around to do mmore 'involved' stuff?

 

[AuthorEditor]

I don't like to be distracted by folks rubbernecking. I can work a lot faster and more accurately when by myself.

 

[Jeepster_nut]

Originally Posted By: AuthorEditor
I don't like to be distracted by folks rubbernecking. I can work a lot faster and more accurately when by myself.


+1

 

[ThirdeYe]

I kind of like having people around. It really depends, because when people are around sometimes I like to explain what it is I'm doing and it helps towards me being thorough. On the other hand, when no one's around I have a lot more time to look things over.

 

[IndyIan]

Do you mean like dropping a transmission? Not that I've ever done that but it seems like a 2 person job...
Stuff not involving heavy lifting is fine for me to do alone I think.

 

[addyguy]

I don't even mean 'around' as actually with you, but just 'nearby' - ie, would you feel more comfortable working on cars when your family/friends are around the house; or would you feel just as comfortable working on a car when you are completely by yourself - family is out for the day, it's just you, the car, and the house?

 

[KrisZ]

I agree with others, working alone is much faster and more efficient.

From a safety point of view, I think working alone is also safer, unless the other person is just watching, there are many accidents, where one person cranked the engine over when the other guy had his hand in the belts, or leave power tools around making them a tripping hazard. Similar to the "too many cooks in the kitchen" analogy.

 

[demarpaint]

I prefer me the car and the house, although no one bothers me when they're around.

 

[aquariuscsm]

There`s two things I absolutely have to be alone when I`m doing them,working on my car and working out(lifting weights).

 

[Johnny]

Work on my cars alone, drink beer with my friends.

 

[WishIhadatruck]

If it is a 1 person job I'm fine being alone. If it seems so unsafe I'd want somebody ready to dial 911 for me then I'd better find a safer way to do the job anyway.

 

[DieselTech]

being a longtime shop owner it has always been my policy that techs can work alone. They have been properly trained to work lifts and keep themselves in a safe situation. Customers are not allowed in the shop unless escorted by Me.

As for most working in the driveway I highly suggest someone near by. Sometimes it's not how fast you get it done but how safe you can do it. most backyard mechanics don't have the tools to be safe and getting in a hurry hinders common saftey sense. My father for one got bit by this and had a car fall on him in his younger-dumber days.

Someone near by doesn't mean trying to help you or bugging you

 

[huffmuds9320]

I prefer working on the car when someone is at home just in case. And if I need a hand with something they are available to help out. Of course if I was doing very basic stuff like checking the oil, filling the washer fluid or checking the tire pressure then its not necessary for someone to be around.

 

[mechtech2]

We used to chge $40/hr labor.
$50 if you watched, and $60 if you 'helped'.

 

[DieselTech]

i'm 80hr and 150.00 just for opinions

Dealers are 150.00 an hr for diesels around here

 

[Colt45ws]

Lately my little brother has been helping me. He is not too bad.

 

[bigmike]

I usually have my wife nearby. She does a good job getting the ramps aligned when I'm putting a vehicle on them. Also good for handing me things, such as tools, rags, something to drink, etc. She pretty much knows exactly what I need and where most of my tools are located (which drawer, toolbox, etc.).

I think it is safer this way as well.

On the other hand, having the wrong person around is a big no-no. I don't like to have anyone that talks alot or will distract me from my work. I don't need anyone that "thinks they're going to help" when I didn't ask for something specifically.

 

[sciphi]

When it's an involved repair I haven't done before on my car, I absolutely want more knowledgeable people around to tell me the best way.

For some jobs it's much easier with 2 people, such as removing and installing whole preformed sections of brake line.

Routine things like oil and front brakes it's best by myself. I know what I'm doing, and have less chance of screwing up since I'm on autopilot while doing the routine stuff.

 

[Scott_Tucker]

Being a professional tech this is something I have to deal with constantly, especially with the hot rods and muscle cars I work on. Usually the customer will leave me alone, which is fine. But occasionally someone want to hang around and ask questions. That is fine, because I'm a teacher I like explaining things to people. However, seeing as we normally charge time and materials the customer needs to realized that he will probably end up being billed 30% more because of the time it takes to explain everything.

Ideally, I would work on cars alone with no radio or any distractions if I had it my way. It allows me to concentrate and get the job done right.

 

[fdcg27]

Depends.
I've done three Honda clutches over the years all by my lonesome.
I removed the engine from the Vanagon we had years ago with no help, although any old-school VW owner can tell you that it isn't hard to do.
It is often better to work without distraction.
If you are careful, you should never need a stanby person to call 911.