Saw Shop

[S IL Plott]

Howdy all, new here. Just wanted to say I love the forums and have really enjoyed all the pics and stories.

I live in a small town in Southern Illinois and would like to open my own saw shop. Of course, most of my work would probably be from home owners and I'm not wanting to quit my job to do this. I was thinking open about 430PM after I get home from work till 730 or 8 at night and 4-5 hours Saturday mornings. More of a hobby where I MIGHT make some money at, someday.

Here's my question for all of you: What would be a good brand of saws to carry. I do want a mix of residential and professional models to choose from. One of my friends is a union logger, so I'm sure if I've got a good brand he and some of his friends will buy saws from me, and maybe even bars and chains. I just don't want some of these cheap built pieces of junk so many box stores have. There is a Stihl dealer in town (90% of his business is mowers and mower repair) and one hardware store sells Husky's, another sells Dolmar's (but he changes brands about every 6 months for some reason). There are 2 other places in town to get limited saw parts, but no where that specializes in saws and has a good number of parts and knowledge in saws.

Also, does anyone know who some good parts distributors for saw parts are? That's going to be a big issue. If you don't have the parts, it's hard to work on anything. What about accessories like aftermarket bars and chains? I know this is a lot of questions, but I'm looking to do it right, though slow at first. It's going to be at least a year before I get everything up and going enough to get a shop open.

I might mention I worked for both hardware stores in town during high school as their saw mechanic. One doesn't work on anything anymore and the other doesn't work on saws much. The boss still does a little two stroke work, but not much. I haven't worked on any too much since then though. I'm going to start working on some old broke down saws of my friends for practice. Also I have to reteach myself how to sharpen chains and all that good stuff. Shouldn't take me too long to get back into it though. I've been driving a truck for 4 1/2 years so I've been gone and haven't been able to work on saws. Now I'm working in a factory, so I've got more time on my hands to get into it again.

I know I'm not going to make a killing (if anything) off a little saw shop, but it's something I like to do and I like to be around loggers, even though I'm not one myself.

Sorry this post is so long, I promise not all of them will be like this, but I have so many questions. If you guys have any helpful suggestions beyond anything I've asked, please, don't hesitate to tell me. What would you look for in a saw shop? What accessories would you like to see on display?, etc, etc...

Thanks for your help!

 

[logging22]

They have a union for loggers in IL? Crazy. Welcome to AS.

 

[joesawer]

Lol union loggers..........
I saw them try that in SoCal it was like a monkey with a football.
They did not even have any titles or pay scales for them.
What union is this?

 

[RandyMac]

Wobblies aka IWW

 

[Billy_Bob]

In my experience to repair things *right*, you need access to the factory service manuals and parts manuals. And for that you need to be a factory authorized dealer...

And it sounds like the best brands are already taken in your area.

I do know these guys get busy with repair work, especially in the summer. Sometimes being 4 months before they can get to something brought in for repair.

Perhaps you could do some "overflow" work for the existing dealers. They if you are working with them, they would of course provide you will all the factory support - repair/parts manuals, parts, etc.

 

[tramp bushler]

What Union is that ??

... I think Billy Bob has a good idea about working for one of the other dealers for a while ... . If you can get a situation where you are good at fixing saws , and it is your name people associate with getting their problem solved your customers will follow you from the one place to your own ........I recommend Husqvarna . They are better than most Jonsreds , but alot of models the parts are interchangable ..You will make your money with a small saw shop on your labor . and parts mark up ....
.
. One tool I would really like to have is a bar groove grinder ..... Foley/ Bel Saw made or makes one .. It can regrind a .050 ga bar to .058 or .063 " ....... I would buy .050 or .058 ga bars if I could get the bar groove trued up and the top opened to the next size up for 15 -20 bucks .... Plus a regular bar rail grinder .....
.

 

[Jacob J.]

All of the "big" brands are going to require a set amount of floor space, a minimum stocking inventory, and regular business hours. So with the hours you're planning on, that throws Husqvarna, Stihl, and Jonsered out the window. Husqvarna and Stihl also require "concept" displays for their dealers which require a significant investment in their branded shelving, displays, signs, and other promotional materials. For instance, the last little mom and pop Stihl shop I was a tech at had to shell out $4k for Stihl's concept display when they made it mandatory in 2003.

There's also other requirements for the big brands which are long and tedious.

A good "offbrand" to look into is Echo. They have a full line and make good products. They also have minimal requirements.

 

[discounthunter]

if your going to work part time and at home , get ready to do nothing but inexpensive saws. untill you get a reputation for your work most will take their stuff to a dealer,especially warranty work .without a big name on a sign out front you will get the stuff from box stores.

you also didnt state your expiriance and or formally training in small engine repair.

i hate to say this but a self taught "tinkerer" will not go far.