"Free" work for engineers
"Free" work for engineers
(OP)
I've read on here that some engineers get asked to do "free" work - neighbors, friends, church goers, etc, to do some engineering work for free.
I'm wondering exactly what have you been asked to do for free? I've never encountered the need to hire an engineer in my lifetime, so I'm a little bit surprised that other engineers get asked to do "free" work. I'm curious to know what types of things you have been asked.
I'm guessing this thread will quickly degenerate into a discussion on ethics, liability, state statutes, etc on licensing. I'm not asking any of those questions, so please focus on what my question is - have any of you been asked to do free work and if so what kinds of projects have you been asked to do?
I'm wondering exactly what have you been asked to do for free? I've never encountered the need to hire an engineer in my lifetime, so I'm a little bit surprised that other engineers get asked to do "free" work. I'm curious to know what types of things you have been asked.
I'm guessing this thread will quickly degenerate into a discussion on ethics, liability, state statutes, etc on licensing. I'm not asking any of those questions, so please focus on what my question is - have any of you been asked to do free work and if so what kinds of projects have you been asked to do?





RE: "Free" work for engineers
I've had other projects come by. No one has ever asked for free work, though. Maybe because they already new how insulting I thought that was. If it ain't worth paying for, it ain't worth coming to me for.
Last time, my brother's friend absconded with $3k worth of "free" work.
RE: "Free" work for engineers
As you stated - I probably shouldn't do it because of liabilty, etc - but they are family members or friends.
RE: "Free" work for engineers
I have no problem taking a courtesy look for friends and family; but I inform them up front if it goes to real work a contract will be required and it will have to go through the company.
RE: "Free" work for engineers
RE: "Free" work for engineers
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Forging http://mech.e.tripod.com
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Ddraig Breuddwydia....www.tailofthedragon.com
RE: "Free" work for engineers
Cheers
Greg Locock
SIG:Please see FAQ731-376: Eng-Tips.com Forum Policies for tips on how to make the best use of Eng-Tips.
RE: "Free" work for engineers
RE: "Free" work for engineers
I have only been asked to do "free" work by my brother, who wanted a mast put on a speed boat for watersports (tubing, water skiing, etc). Basically, he was assuming I could design (and presumably have my company fab) a mast for less than it would cost to have a commercial company provide and install one. I told him that I didn't know the strength of any of the components which I might attach the mast to and didn't want to rip out a section of the floor of the fiberglass boat. More importantly, I was not about to try to design something that, if it did fail, would fly at a person at high speed.
I also was asked by my father if a winch would work in pulling a broken fridge up a hill. I provided a graph of the force required based on coefficient of friction and angle of the pull... But that was just for fun. He didn't actually ask for all that information, I'm just kinda nerdy. =)
-- MechEng2005
RE: "Free" work for engineers
Dan - Owner

http://www.Hi-TecDesigns.com
RE: "Free" work for engineers
Actaully quite easy although a back and knee buster!!! And CAD helps with the layout!!
RE: "Free" work for engineers
RE: "Free" work for engineers
One was a "free" industrialized unit (trailer). Just a site plan and the original IU drawings were submitted. No dimension on the site plan, it crossed a property line, no foundation detail (it was in a flood plain) no electrical, fire alrm, water, or sanitary utility information, wood and concrete ramps were show - in plan - no sections, elevations, or even what compressive strength or if air entrained.
I first started talking to them in February, and I have issued two correction letters - one in June and one in August. So far, I think the bill has been about $500.
Don Phillips
http://worthingtonengineering.com
RE: "Free" work for engineers
Before entering into engineering I was in the IT/Computer industry. Let me tell you, THAT is a career where people expect you to do free work for them.
"My computer is running really slow and keeps crashing, could you please look at it for me?"
"My email doesn't work, could you have a look for me"
"I can't log onto my internet, could you take a look for me"
RE: "Free" work for engineers
On the bright side, my sister-in-law pays me with a good meal and normally, it is something simple and only takes a few minutes. If it is a slow computer (her last complaint last I saw her), I tell her she probably has spyware and to get Micro$oft's free Defender. It works reasonably well. Keeping my nieces off sites full of spyware will be impossible.
Last time I visited my folks, my sister complained about her laptop not connecting to the Internet when she switched ISPs on her laptop. I asked her to show me. So we deleted her network connection, reinstalled it, and viola! It was customized for the old ISP. She had not used her laptop for 3 years so when I saw her, should would make the passing comment but used her work laptop for Internet access, but was thinking about getting a new laptop. Perhaps I need to visit them more often!
Don Phillips
http://worthingtonengineering.com