[sdiy] Starting synth repair business. What IC's to stock up on & general advice.

[S. P. W.]

Hi all,

I am seriously considering starting up a synth repair business. Where
I live there is a need, and I have a number of contacts that would
send business my way as they currently have to tell people they don't
know anyone that can help.
Anyway, what would you stock up on, as far as IC's transistors opamps
etc. that you think will become hard to find in the future,  but are
available to some extent now (I am guessing the 3080 and 3280 recently
discussed would be good to stock.)

Now for the "general advice" request...

One of my first memorable injuries as a child was from dripping solder
on my leg when trying to solder the winder knob back onto my teddy
bear. For real. I have been a nerd for a long time, as I was still of
the age to have a teddy bear without being ridiculed by my peers when
this happened. Still have the scar, that was a third degree burn. It
sizzled. Ouch. My point is that I have the skills to do it, and have
the aptitude and experience not to fsck peoples equipment worse than
it is when it comes to me.

I have a multimeter,  frequency generator & analog oscilloscope (is a
digital one becoming a requirement?) I plan to concentrate on analog
stuff, and haven't messed with digital stuff much, how much harder is
that stuff to fix? I may well take a few EE or vocational school
courses to learn that world a bit better.

I currrently use plain old soldering & desoldering stuff, would you
get temp controlled stuff? I plan to set up a true antistatic work
area instead of relying on the "one hand on a metal surface in the
item" method. Any other tools that your standard electronics hobbyist
might not have? I am guessing if it needs SMD rework, it is probably
out of my league anyway, or is this becoming a needed tool even for
someone specializing in analog.

Other than using standard component & circuit  level troubleshooting
skills & getting a hold of the manual for everything I touch, are
there any gotchas or tricks anyone would like to share? (I read
"oldcrow's" tips site, great resource. Helped me to get the
articulation working right again on my Opus 3.)

Finally, any tips on how much to charge, or policies with regards to
dealing with musicians would be appreciated. I have been around this
world forever but have never tried to make any money in it, and
dealing with musicians on the level of money and responsibility can be
a bit dicey at times, I have heard & seen.

Our house is probably small enough that with any success I will need
to rent a shop. How many square feet is a good minimum? Synths in ATA
cases can take up room, so I am thinking I would need some storage for
waiting work & work to be picked up. Also, all that money in equipment
makes me nervous. Any tips on how secure a shop needs to be, or
insurance to carry would be appreciated. There is a long worldwide
history of theft and musical instruments going hand in hand.

I don't plan to quit my day job until it is costing me money to keep
it, so probably this will stay as a sideline permanently. Since I have
had problems with my last two bosses being jackasses you never know
what might happen long term as I'm not sure I want another person
telling me what to do. Last time I changed jobs because of a bad boss,
I went from the frying pan to the fire more or less. It is probably a
better idea to get out of the kitchen.

take care,

Steve

--
Darkness within darkness, The gateway to all understanding.
     - Lao Tzu