DIY builders are some of the most capable, creative people. At Mechanical Elements, we applaud what you do. Building is fun, yes, and a great way to create something you can’t buy – which is awesome. Yet, questions do arise, and some questions need engineering answers.
Yes, we sell excellent project plans for trailers and tools, and they cover a lot. But, what if you want to make modifications so a trailer / crane / press is perfect for you? What can you do with serious questions?
Many of you scour the technical tips articles. Some of you send sketches, ask about troubleshooting, adjust the plans, and seek direction with new ideas.
I often marvel at how few words it takes to ask a question, yet so much is required to give a meaningful answer. Questions are good, absolutely. That is how we learn.
The challenge is this: A simple question can need an answer that is more than a few lines in an email or a comment box. There are often clarifying questions or context in a back-and-forth to get the whole picture, before a sound answer can come. How do we get there? That is what this article is about.
It Was A Simple Question
Here is a real example you can read in the comments of the article “How To Make A Trailer Wider”. The questions are honest and sincere. (I have pulled just a little bit here for illustration.)
Q: What about only making the axle wider? I put a camper shell build on my utility trailer, but the axle looks very narrow.
The first thing that came to my mind: There is a bunch of background information I need in order to properly answer the question.
Personally, when I ask questions, I usually want to know the reasoning, not just the simple answer. I could have said simply “You can’t make an axle wider.” Oh, but that would be somewhat misleading, and he would not gain real knowledge from asking the question.
THIS IS IMPORTANT – We are all learning, and most of the time we don’t know what we don’t know. We don’t know how to ask the right questions because we don’t yet have the full background as a frame of reference.
Learning is awesome. I have made a lifetime of learning, and I still ask silly questions in some things – because I don’t know. DON’T EVER BE AFRAID OF ASKING A QUESTION.
To me, engineering answers need to explain and/or teach. So, I pointed the above reader to our Axle Overhang article and tried to give a brief explanation. I was not satisfied with the short answer, and I doubt he was either.
More Examples
You can read more examples of good questions that need more complete answers in the comments under several of our other articles too. For instance, our article about Axle-less Suspension has a couple comments where the real question is not the stated question. To really help the person asking about 13 gauge steel I would love to see more of what they are doing, and digest how they are using the bolts in question.
These examples emphasize the need for 2-way interaction so the answers truly address the situation, and give solid actionable advice.
These are just two examples of how a simple question can easily balloon into a long answer, then even more questions. What we really need are engineering answers that expand knowledge.
Engineering Answers For Free, At Your Leisure
Being a resource to the DIY metal fabricators community is one purpose for this website. As part of our service, we correct misconceptions and educate our friends (that is you) using articles, images, and videos. This has always been a priority.
To that end, we have many technical articles (over 200), stimulated by customer questions, which you can access now, anytime, for free. Simply type your topic in the search bar at the top of each page to see what we have.
Yet, even with all the information published, the engineering answers often do not hit the specifics of each situation. That is reason #1 we need a better mechanism for getting engineering help for your project.
Reason #2: Have you ever called an engineering firm with the intent of getting just a few answers? Which engineer should you talk to? Many are not familiar with trailer design, steel fabrication, or other shop concepts. Most have never welded or built much. How do they bill for the time? Some engineering firms have a $5000 minimum project size. These things often lock the shop guys out.
We just want a little engineering help with a DIY project. To me, there is a need to get good engineering perspective and guidance to the folks that are creating.
If You Need More Than A Generic Answer – Ask The Engineer
All the above leads us to the Why for creating our Ask the Engineer service – a one-hour, focused conversation so you can get straight, practical engineering insight for your project.
The goal of the new service is simple: Give DIY builders engineering answers without the hassle of a formal contract, or worry about further commitment.
Think of it as an “engineering insight session.” In one hour, we can, with you:
- Review your design idea.
- Talk through concerns or unknowns in your project.
- Validate a build approach.
- Discuss plan modifications.
- Explore options or alternate materials.
- Troubleshoot a problem.
- Review drawings or sketches (your own drawings or ours).
- Discuss load paths, stresses, or potential failure points.
- Clarify “why” something works (or not), not just “what to do”.
It is your hour, directed by your questions.
To make things most efficient, you can upload drawings in advance, bring photos, screen-share during the call, or simply talk through the big picture. You choose the depth of our conversation. While we do have some limits stated in the FAQ section at the bottom of our “Ask the Engineer” page, it is pretty open to what you need.
This is engineering insight tailored to your project. It is the engineering answers you need, unencumbered by contracts and other noise.
How An “Ask the Engineer” Session Works
A call actually starts well before the actual call. Start by claiming your time slot.
- Book your time slot through our scheduling page.
- Prepare content to discuss (optional), then upload drawings, screenshots, photos, etc. using the Upload Form on the preparation page.
- At the appointed time, join the Zoom call from any device.
- The time is yours then to ask anything related to your project, and receive perspective, or direction in engineering answers.
- We hope you will leave with some expanded knowledge and clarity instead of uncertainty.
There is also a 10-Minute Guarantee: If either of us determines in the first 10 minutes that the session is not a good fit, we will end the call and give you a full refund.
No risk. No commitment. Just answers.
Why Does It Cost $90?
This is a discounted rate (about 50% of our normal Engineering Consulting fee) specifically for our Mechanical Elements customers. Because your time, and your project, deserve real insight. You are not paying for a report or a contract. You are paying for:
- 40+ years of engineering experience.
- A dedicated, focused conversation with insights for your project.
- Conversation specific to your questions.
- Answers that save money, give confidence, and prevent mistakes.
- Direct access to the engineer behind our trailer plans and technical articles.
That is value to last long after the hour ends.
What other options for information do I have?
You can read hundreds of articles (and we hope you do). Then, there are forums to browse (and maybe get sketchy answers ). You can piece together numerous videos. Oh, and don’t forget about asking uncle Joe. There is a lot of information around, for sure.
Yet, there is no substitute for talking directly to someone who understands the engineering behind your project. Someone who can respond to you with clarifying questions, then pull in the relevant engineering knowledge for the answers you seek.
We will still give answers in the comments, and when people connect via the contact page, however, we will also point you to our “Ask the Engineer” feature for better and more complete engineering answers.
Getting Meaningful Engineering Answers
If you want clarity for questions about your project, now you have a way to get it.
Book your “Ask the Engineer” session, then we can talk. Send your photos, your ideas, and your plans so we can discuss your areas of concern. This is your hour of power for project clarity.
We hope to see you for engineering answers on a Zoom call soon. Have a wonderful day.
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