That was my point. There has to be some thought and preparation, and likely some jig making of some sort.
Now week before last I had a customer with a Bobcat that had worn out the tapers on the boom for the lower Bobtach pins. The only way to fix this is to cut out the old tapers and weld in new bushings from Bobcat. I quoted the customer 6 hrs., I wish it didn't take that long but from experience it does and I've done several but not the same model as my customer's machine. He thought my quote was a little high and decided he and his buddy would do it themselves. I understood, sometimes I don't get every job I estimate. So on a Sunday I get a call, hey Brian we can't find where the bushing is, we can't find a parting line, my buddy is afraid to do this. So I went to his place a couple of days later and was surprised to find that there was no bushing that was welded in, the taper was actually ground into the arm. I was even nervous about doing it now, I called my mentor who came out and basically told me not to be a wuss and to go ahead and cut a hole in the arm and weld the new bushings in. So I did, because of my apprehension, it took over 8 hrs instead of the 6 I quoted. I handed my customer a bill for 6 hrs. plus materials and he added a $100 to it because he knew it took more than I had counted on. He was impressed with my work and that I called somebody when I was stuck. He was very glad that they stopped when they did. He also appreciated that I stuck to my word.
That is a great story :thumbsup: It really gives me hope that some people still recognize what is right and what is well deserved. I've been on that other end myself on countless occasions. Getting quotes I thought was high and deciding to do it myself. I've always followed through and done it myself but it usually cost me nearly as much money and way more time than I should have spent on it. But at least I learned a lesson. Or maybe I haven't since I keep doing the same thing. Haha :laughing: