Making money off your hobby?

Jas · May 24, 2005

I'm in the process of moving into a new place, and in the course of doing so have shown my Rig to the owner of our building, and well he's asked if I could build him a multimedia rig to go with his home theater system with some cool watercooling ans case mods.

I've been in the IT industry for about 8 years now, and have doen everything from enterprise scale builds, and databse development. I've built lots o fcomputer for friends, but never so far had anyoen actually offer to pay me to build them a custom a rig.

I'm just curious who else has had their "hobby" make them some money.

I know Weapon, Cathar, and Thor have, but who else?

dicecca112 · May 24, 2005

I do make some money, I build custom systems for people in my town, have an ad in the local paper, helps when you know the editor, I do repairs as well.

Skeen · May 24, 2005

Since I have only built for friends I don't charge anything. But then I don't really offer 24 hour tech support either.

Jas · May 24, 2005

I've got abuot 5 or 6 peopel who I "take care of their machines" for. AKA, if you got beer, ill "fix" it.

Its one thing to get paid to build Sun clusters, its a whoel different ball of wax to make some money doing fun stuff, like whiping out the cutting torch and dremel and making your wife nervouse as you cackel gleefully....

Acurax · May 24, 2005

I make a little when building/upgrading systems for people I know (or my parents know)... only do it if they come to me. I would probably build systems all the time, but I don't want to deal with 'tech support' issues.

dicecca112 · May 24, 2005

do what I do, if they have an issue, I will deal with it within the first month for free, after that I charge. I make them sign a standard contract, that explains, I am not there for free tech support, I offer a 30day warranty on the system working, if anything breaks, I will eat the shipping to replace the part or eat the price to replace the component if the RMA fails, or can't be done. And consequently I only use good parts.

Edit: Why is this in watercooling?

Jas · May 24, 2005

Well, I was asking about doing Watercooling builds, not so much general PC builds/fixing.

honhon · May 24, 2005

my friend is an afiliate with tigerdirect.com and he builds the custom computers some people ask for.

9mmCensor · May 24, 2005

I dont do it. I dont want to turn into a tech support b**ch.

I will advise people on getting the right system, but not from me.

CCUABIDExORxDIE · May 24, 2005

ive built computers for my friends, and they always tell me to get something nice formyself and they buy it for me, last time i got a psu for a build, and the other time, i go tmy stickof patriot pc4000 ram.

Jas · May 24, 2005

I'm just worried if I start building WC rigs for people ( so far this is just one guy) Someone is going to drench their rig and blame me.

I'll need to come up with a no-fault contract.

EWBatOVAclockin · May 24, 2005

I like the 30 day contract idea. That's how long it is until RMA's are until there out of the question. Then if your nice you can give free tech support SOMETIMES not all the time. I usually just tell people to "Use common sense" and it usually works or they just give up.

PEACE

Jas · May 24, 2005

I wish my buddy at work had some common sense,

I'm STILL trying to figure out how he jammed an IDE ribbon cable into his DVD-ROM upside down.... I mean, they have the darn slots on them.... And its not like if you put it in upside down its doesn't "fight back".

So, as far as common sense goes......

EWBatOVAclockin · May 24, 2005

Haha yea for some reason people think computer's are like aliens and they just refuse to accept the fact that "The basics" are really common sense stuff

PEACE

FSBxtreme · May 24, 2005

One important thing we all should take into a consideration is that when building a new custom rig for someone, they may backout later...so I usually take estimate and get the money first or make them sign a contract: "Will not retract request" or something...

whitebloodcell · May 24, 2005

FSBxtreme said:
One important thing we all should take into a consideration is that when building a new custom rig for someone, they may backout later

Not quite building a rig, but I know refuse to buy stuff for friends (who dont have internet access (damn school)) ,after I agreed to get someone an iPod, who then backed out. What the hell do I want with another MP3 Player! Make up your damn minds!

Electron Chaser · May 24, 2005

I do a lot of custom builds for people. I draw the line at air cooling though. Too many things that can go wrong that can hold you liable. Not to mention the upkeep that Watercooling must have in order to run correctly. Which means then you become their digital water boy.

Instead of Deuce Bigelo the fish guy we could call you Binary Bigelo the WCing guy.

CCUABIDExORxDIE · May 24, 2005

electron chaser dont you mean bobby bouche, and binary bouche? thats what adam sandlers name was when he was in Waterboy.

Jas · May 24, 2005

Well, I figure if you are going to build something for someone else to use you have to make it easy for them to maintain it. so...

My thought is to basically use the same fill and drain loop I put together.

Using two Y splitters, the tubing is coiled around liek shown below before it enters the pump. The top line is your fill line. The bottom line is used for easy draining.

Just tell them to drain and then flush the system every 6 months, and they should be golden.

Electron Chaser · May 24, 2005

CCUABIDExORxDIE said:
electron chaser dont you mean bobby bouche, and binary bouche? thats what adam sandlers name was when he was in Waterboy.

LOL that would work too.

WCing is the devil!!

Making money off your hobby?

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