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Post by spondon440 on Feb 12, 2023 22:22:52 GMT 1
After the shittest 3 months I've ever had in engineering I've decided to hang up my boots, closed my business on the 23rd January, still selling machines and stock off but getting there. It wasn't an easy decision, tried to sell but couldn't find a buyer, offered it up to the blokes who worked for me who couldn't be arsed so with no sign of an upturn in work in the short term, probably would in the long term but I couldn't fund it that long so I took the only option. Anyway on the bright side I get to retire now, Its not a secret amongst anyone who knows me thats what I've wanted for a while, I thought a lot about keeping a couple of machines but I'm not the kind of bloke that can stick at that, before you would know it I'd have 20 employees again plus I'd need somewhere to keep them, I do currently have access to a couple of machines, I'm consulting for a friend to set up a machine shop with a couple of the newer machines I had but again I'm trying not to get sucked in. Anyhow, I have a couple of sets of RGV/4LO yokes and one set of Triumph street triple / 4LO ( both sets will fit more or less any lc, ask away if you'd like to ask any questions about them.  rd350lc - street triple 3 by ANDREW FRANCHI, on Flickr  rd350lc - street triple 2 by ANDREW FRANCHI, on Flickr  rd350lc - street triple 1 by ANDREW FRANCHI, on Flickr Give me a shout if your interested, Its unlikely I'm making anymore, I have plenty of spares Andy |
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Post by JonW on Feb 12, 2023 22:39:20 GMT 1
Wishing you good luck in retirement Andy, I get that running a business in 2023 wouldnt be much fun.
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Post by dusty350 on Feb 12, 2023 22:40:39 GMT 1
Good for you Andy  Stress is a killer, and I'm sure you've had more than your fair share, especially in recent years. Enjoy your retirement mate  Best wishes Dusty |
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Post by bezzer on Feb 12, 2023 22:55:47 GMT 1
Enjoy your retirement Andy, Knowing you, you’ll have plenty to keep you occupied, without the added responsibilities/hassles of running a business.
Take it easy bud 😁
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Post by veg on Feb 12, 2023 22:56:18 GMT 1
Andy I’m glad for you, enjoy your well earned retirement. It’ll mean no doubt more stunning 2 and 4 wheel projects coming out of the garage.
Take it easy big man 👍
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Post by peddrotzr on Feb 12, 2023 23:00:59 GMT 1
I will really mis our chats, and you especially taking the Pi$$ out of me all the time,
but most of all I have got to thank you for all your help and assitance over the years with the parts you have made for me and my bikes
These wouldnt be anywhere near as good without your help, advice ect especially with the Bimota YB3 restoration without your help it wouldnt be a patch on what it is now.
Many thanks..
I wont mis trying to find a parking place by your works! it was was a nightmare
Wishing you all the best for your retirement
Best regards
Johnny C
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Post by elsiefan on Feb 12, 2023 23:05:08 GMT 1
I quit working this time last year and, for me, it was the best decision I had made in donkeys years.
If you can afford it, go for it and enjoy your time, life is not a dress rehearsal 👍
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Post by shaunthe2nd on Feb 12, 2023 23:10:53 GMT 1
Sometimes we need something to push us along, so I'm sure this has created the right opportunity for you to retire.
I've dropped my hours with a target to retire in a year or 2, so won't be far behind you.
Enjoy your retirement after 40/50 years surely we deserve it?
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Post by rigga on Feb 13, 2023 7:59:58 GMT 1
Two years now almost since I jacked in work.
Not for everyone, as we are all different, and I know some that live for work and couldn't ever retire.
Shame the business came to an end, your obviously a very talented engineer, but maybe consulting may keep your interested, whilst leaving lots of time for yourself.
You can't buy time.
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Post by midlifecrisisrd on Feb 13, 2023 9:49:24 GMT 1
Enjoy your retirement Andy, you deserve it
I'm sure you'll find something interesting to fill your time
Got to put my big boy pants on next year and decide whether to retire early myself.
Steve
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Post by Norbo on Feb 13, 2023 9:55:43 GMT 1
It all sounds good and a short time you'll love the sleeping in doing the garden and doing nothing but you get bored and it will drive you crazy doing nothing but hanging about month after month year after year . Id keep a few machines and do small jobs and custom parts keeps you active and brings in a some extra money. if you have a garage or shed or out house to put them in . Not a work shop that needs renting etc some place with no over heads .
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Post by lcmarky on Feb 13, 2023 10:17:07 GMT 1
A tough decision that I trust will work out for you when it all settles down.
I'm a couple or three years away from retiring from corporate life & have already invested in my home workshop in anticipation of keeping myself busy and not troubling the pension pots too much.
Good luck!
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Post by spondon440 on Feb 13, 2023 14:16:53 GMT 1
It all sounds good and a short time you'll love the sleeping in doing the garden and doing nothing but you get bored and it will drive you crazy doing nothing but hanging about month after month year after year . Id keep a few machines and do small jobs and custom parts keeps you active and brings in a some extra money. if you have a garage or shed or out house to put them in . Not a work shop that needs renting etc some place with no over heads . A cnc is an overhead, it will cost just to own it, they are shit and always breaking down an a repair usually runs into thousands and I can't be arsed. I won't get bored and I never ever sit round doing nothing. Andy |
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Post by sidney81 on Feb 13, 2023 14:24:57 GMT 1
Good luck and all the best ! Enjoy it ,don't be a slave to the ££ like lots are and can't give it up! 👍
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Post by liffy16 on Feb 13, 2023 14:44:15 GMT 1
Good luck with the retirement, if you get bored (which I doubt)so what ! Engineering or more so a machine shop is a lot of money three phase electric, compressed air,measuring equipment, tooling costs,we've got a new star32 sliding head coming next month £190k which is on 5 year finance as they all are,so that's 5 years work on that machine before it's making any real money it's a mugs game and I can't wait to retire and get out myself
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Post by Chewie01 on Feb 13, 2023 14:55:53 GMT 1
I'm with Norbo on this subject. I would keep a few machines and setup an Allen Millyard style configuration to make the things you want to make.
But each to their own.
I would also invest in a nice comfy bed, because you're never going to need to get out of it and go to work again.
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Post by spondon440 on Feb 13, 2023 15:52:08 GMT 1
Hmmm, the picture with the yokes on it in this thread is in my garage, you can see I have a lathe in it and there is a milling machine at the far end, a top end tig welder, a top end mig welder, a folder, a roller, I don't need anything else to make parts on and as for a cnc, you have no idea how much room you need for one, Mills are 3 metres tall, some garage that.
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Post by 4l04ever on Feb 13, 2023 15:53:07 GMT 1
My pensions are not good enough to retire early, but I have semi retired instead so now only working 3.5 days a week and get 13 weeks holiday a year.
I would laze around all day if I fully retired, so 3.5 days is enough to keep me busy.
I will have to wait until I get my government pension before I can fully retire, so will keep building bikes and get me a nice workshop (man cave) built up the back garden over the next few years.
Keep yourself occupied and you will be fine :-)
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Post by muttsnuts on Feb 13, 2023 18:06:06 GMT 1
well done Andy, you'll keep busy I am sure, don't do what I did, as it didn't work out too well and I am busier now than I ever was !
I am slowly working towards easing off now that my wife has made a decision about retiring, there was little point if she kept working as I'd get bored too quickly, anyway, enjoy it, so long as my place pays its way I'll keep the unit/workshop going, but if starts costing to keep it going, then it will go
Recent costs for running a small business have gone stupid, as I am sure you are fully aware, its costing me £100/day now just to open up ! - certainly makes you think and it doesn'y seem to be getting any easier
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Post by chrisg on Feb 13, 2023 19:17:37 GMT 1
Good luck Andy, i think 2023 is going to be a tough year for lots of people and businesses.
Ive just applied for my pension figures with a view to leaving April 23.
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Post by spondon440 on Feb 13, 2023 21:16:01 GMT 1
well done Andy, you'll keep busy I am sure, don't do what I did, as it didn't work out too well and I am busier now than I ever was ! I am slowly working towards easing off now that my wife has made a decision about retiring, there was little point if she kept working as I'd get bored too quickly, anyway, enjoy it, so long as my place pays its way I'll keep the unit/workshop going, but if starts costing to keep it going, then it will go Recent costs for running a small business have gone stupid, as I am sure you are fully aware, its costing me £100/day now just to open up ! - certainly makes you think and it doesn'y seem to be getting any easier I needed to turnover £6k a day and put up with 16 disinterested t**ts that worked for me everyday, sole destroying mate plus material going up everyday, gas and electric through the roof, thankless task. f**k that I'm free now, keep getting offered stuff to do, I'm setting up a customer to make his parts on some of my ex machines which will be about three months which I'll enjoy. You have a treat on its way, I made you a clutch the clutch drum I promised, can't make you anymore mind, John is bringing it in when you are doing his RD125LC engine. Andy |
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Post by donkeychomp on Feb 13, 2023 23:23:47 GMT 1
Enjoy retirement mate. You've certainly earned it.
Alex
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Post by Norbo on Feb 14, 2023 9:16:49 GMT 1
It all sounds good and a short time you'll love the sleeping in doing the garden and doing nothing but you get bored and it will drive you crazy doing nothing but hanging about month after month year after year . Id keep a few machines and do small jobs and custom parts keeps you active and brings in a some extra money. if you have a garage or shed or out house to put them in . Not a work shop that needs renting etc some place with no over heads . A cnc is an overhead, it will cost just to own it, they are shit and always breaking down an a repair usually runs into thousands and I can't be arsed. I won't get bored and I never ever sit round doing nothing. Andy Well you know your business more then me . If that's the case then i don't blame you not bothering . you dont need the trouble for the odd few jobs. |
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Post by Tobyjugs on Feb 14, 2023 15:44:02 GMT 1
Hi Andy good luck with your new choice in life. As they say one door closes and another opens up.
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Post by muttsnuts on Feb 14, 2023 16:10:29 GMT 1
well done Andy, you'll keep busy I am sure, don't do what I did, as it didn't work out too well and I am busier now than I ever was ! I am slowly working towards easing off now that my wife has made a decision about retiring, there was little point if she kept working as I'd get bored too quickly, anyway, enjoy it, so long as my place pays its way I'll keep the unit/workshop going, but if starts costing to keep it going, then it will go Recent costs for running a small business have gone stupid, as I am sure you are fully aware, its costing me £100/day now just to open up ! - certainly makes you think and it doesn'y seem to be getting any easier I needed to turnover £6k a day and put up with 16 disinterested t**ts that worked for me everyday, sole destroying mate plus material going up everyday, gas and electric through the roof, thankless task. f**k that I'm free now, keep getting offered stuff to do, I'm setting up a customer to make his parts on some of my ex machines which will be about three months which I'll enjoy. You have a treat on its way, I made you a clutch the clutch drum I promised, can't make you anymore mind, John is bringing it in when you are doing his RD125LC engine. Andy ooo, that's an unexpected nice surprise, thank you Yeah, the costs are spiralling, had my electric bill for last month - £23,153 ! - I rang them up and said it must be a mistake (which it was), I knew things had gone up, but FFS !   - stuff like that can sink you, I don't normally check my electric bill, it just gets paid, but I did this month - good job, if they had drawn that out of the bank acoc**t I'd have gone bust ! Yeah, £100/day for me just to open the doors, doesn't cover wages, maintenance of machines, stock, consumables or anything else, £30k/annum just for rent, rates, insurances etc - bloody madness ! Enjoy your retirement............ |
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Post by chrisg on Feb 14, 2023 18:43:21 GMT 1
6k a day, wow. It will be like lifting a large weight off your back.
I bet you'll feel a lot more chilled out.
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- stuff like that can sink you, I don't normally check my electric bill, it just gets paid, but I did this month - good job, if they had drawn that out of the bank acoc**t I'd have gone bust !