An alternative living using 2sqft workshop.

[conor1n]

Hello, me again.

The background to my story is I spend approx 6 years in London before moving back to Ireland (2.5 years) for covid. I have since (May 2023) moved back to London and find myself questioning "the meaning of life"...

During my 2.5 year stint in Ireland I ended up leasing out a 2500sq ft commercial space to enable me to continue my automotive/tinkering hobby.

Since returning to London I find myself questioning my latest move and whether or not I could "live" another way...

So... given everything I currently have, do people think I could work out something which amounts up to a decent living?

NOTE: Please assume the more basic skill level on the following.

* MIG / ARC welder (for non structural work)
* Spray painting + defect repair (furniture + automotive)
* Information technology (call out) - networking / IT setup / etc ...
* General mechanic type work (I have a two post lift)

* With a view to the future, i'd be looking at some kind of "additive" manufacturing capability for small parts etc.. despite a few leads on some "subtractive" machines, it looks like this isn't the "future".

I am aware of business rate / insurance considerations etc .. just curious about the feasibility of something going forward.

Curious on peoples thoughts on the above...

 

[MattF]

What are you good at?

 

[hotponyshoes]

Don't confuse a "decent living" with a "decent life"

 

[julianf]

Doing general stuff? Unlikely.

Doing (the right sort of) niche stuff well? Probably.

Can you find the right niche?

 

[conor1n]

What are you good at?

Well... given my experience in IT. I think I am good at that.

But going forward I think I may he "proficient" in other skills to carry out basic jobs on a per assessment basis.

Don't confuse a "decent living" with a "decent life"

Hmm... I'm sure I won't be the only person confused by this.. isn't "life" and "living" largely the same thing.

 

[julianf]

Hmm... I'm sure I won't be the only person confused by this.. isn't "life" and "living" largely the same thing.

Decent living [wage]

 

[More Amps]

Judging by your thread title, I think you need a bigger workshop...

 

[angellonewolf]

i think yourt asking a lot a bit more background info would be help full ?

have you held jobs in any or all these fields ?

 

[conor1n]

Doing general stuff? Unlikely.

Doing (the right sort of) niche stuff well? Probably.

Can you find the right niche?

This is it.....

Ultimately it boils down to a niche.

I guess part of the venture would be starting out doing a variety of jobs.. but honing in on demand and then specialising on them.

Finding a niche takes time in most businesses as it can often be down to supply/demand in certain area.

Part of me feels like TIG welding could be a decent avenue to get trained in.

 

[Barking Mat]

2 square foot, pretty small.

Have I misunderstood?

 

[julianf]

2 square foot, pretty small.

Have I misunderstood?

I assumed 20 foot square.

 

[conor1n]

2 square foot, pretty small.

Have I misunderstood?

My bad.... its 2 thousand square foot.

 

[Burdekin]

London seems like a hard place to live if not making a decent wage, especially with how things are at the moment.

 

[conor1n]

i think yourt asking a lot a bit more background info would be help full ?

have you held jobs in any or all these fields ?

Fair enough.. I've not held formal jobs in the various area's.. but have done hobby work.

 

[conor1n]

London seems like a hard place to live if not making a decent wage, especially with how things are at the moment.

Don't get me wrong...I'm making a very decent wage.. its just that I don't see the value in living here is all..

The general fakery of the place doesn't work for me..and I wonder if I might be better off working elsewhere,albeit for less money, ut happier.

 

[Barking Mat]

Could you stick bays in with 2 or 4 post lifts and rent them out for the day ?

Just bouncing ideas around.

 

[julianf]

This is it.....

Ultimately it boils down to a niche.

I guess part of the venture would be starting out doing a variety of jobs.. but honing in on demand and then specialising on them.

Finding a niche takes time in most businesses as it can often be down to supply/demand in certain area.

Part of me feels like TIG welding could be a decent avenue to get trained in.

So I, primarily, make interface panels for electronic musical instruments. So relatively niche.

Those skills could be transfered, I suspect, to yacht dashboards (ive done at least one before) or camper van stuff, or, probably, all sorts of other things.

But I don't "know" those areas. So how do you get "in" when you don't know the sector at all?


You could be the most amazing tig welder but, without knowing, I don't know, racing cars, how are you going to start selling custom manifolds? You could make them but that's not the same as knowing what to make or who to sell it to.

Selling is as much of a skill as making half the time. So, dull as it is, you need to work out what to sell (and especially who to sell it to) and then, maybe, how to make it, rather than the other way around.


I figure that selling some sort of object, to males, that gives marginal gains in whatever they're into is the way to earn. Be it fancy hifi cables, golf kit, high end car stuff, sex toys, whatever. Something where they will pay more than it's worth to give them an "edge".


My partner has training as a costume designer. She has never taken me up on the suggestion but I reckon her way to make proper money would be high end custom adult clothing. The sort of thing a man will buy and get his partner to wear in private.

Basically separate men from their money but offering them some sort of dream.

 

[jonclancy]

Don't get me wrong...I'm making a very decent wage.. its just that I don't see the value in living here is all..

I think you’ve just nailed the decent living versus decent life.

£ vs. Quality of Life. It’s a difficult decision sometimes, and dead easy others. Variable feast, and all that…

 

[slim_boy_fat]

Do you have any dependants or are you living alone with only yourself to consider/satisfy?

 

[MetalMonkey]

I don't know any experienced IT guys that haven't almost completely lost the will to live. I come across loads that have done career changes. It is the nature of it.

If you aren't completely sick of the work, and just the environment - perhaps consider leveraging your existing contacts and do some contracting remotely?- it will allow you to tinker in your workshop but still keep the shekels flowing.
One good thing is the idea of remote working is a lot more accepted now.