The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Community => Coffee Lounge => Topic started by: spandit on February 18, 2014, 08:51:28 pm

Title: Business opportunity
Post by: spandit on February 18, 2014, 08:51:28 pm
Our smallholding is next door to a small, rural industrial estate. One of the units is a metalworking shop and I've just had some small parts machined for a project I'm working on.

Anyway, the owner came round to deliver the parts today and we got chatting. He wants to buy another piece of equipment but has no space for it. He was looking to rent a unit in the next town but it's hardly convenient. I showed him a small unit we have here that isn't being used for much, although my wife has some plans for it. He seemed very interested in doing a deal.

We'd need to get 3-phase electricity put in and repair the roof but I was thinking of letting them do that in exchange for reduced/free rent for a period.

For those who are in the know, the equipment he wants to put in there is a waterjet cutter, which to me is like an ice-cream fan being approached by Ben and Jerry to see if they can install a tasting lab in the barn... ;)

Any thoughts?
Title: Re: Business opportunity
Post by: bloomer on February 18, 2014, 10:21:18 pm
do a deal, negotiate them doing the work in lieu of the first x pounds of rent...


check you don't need a change of use (if you care) for your building!!!


then they will owe you many a favour in the future and you get a few squids which is always nice.


only ever seen a water jet cutter on telly and interwebs but they look way cool (love me some big machine tools)
Title: Re: Business opportunity
Post by: hexhammeasure on February 19, 2014, 06:20:45 am
do you know what the noise levels are? some machines can be pretty loud and distracting
Title: Re: Business opportunity
Post by: spandit on February 19, 2014, 07:33:08 am
do you know what the noise levels are? some machines can be pretty loud and distracting

That's a consideration. I don't know exactly how noisy they are but will try to find out
Title: Re: Business opportunity
Post by: ellied on February 19, 2014, 09:18:46 am
No idea whatsoever about machinery so this may be a numpty question but water jets suggests large volume/pressure water?  In which case check drainage is up to their usage and supply not taking from your own needs and/or bringing in a metering system you might not want the council to insist on?

As I say, that's complete ignorance talking, but even a relatively small jet going for prolonged periods might draw attention of those that supply/drain water to your property and at the mo we all seem to have more than enough excess water lying about our holdings!
Title: Re: Business opportunity
Post by: spandit on February 19, 2014, 12:37:30 pm
From what I've read, they recycle their water and the stuff that drains off is fairly clean but all good things to check
Title: Re: Business opportunity
Post by: benandjerry on February 19, 2014, 04:01:34 pm
Ice cream machine is next on my list of useless (?) kitchen equipment to have in the house  ;)  Welcome round to taste at any time after I purchase one  :roflanim: