The Work it does may, in some measure, be computed by the wear of its Wheels, and its Appearance.
It is in a Carriage as in many other mechanical structures, that, in order to Repair it, it must be taken to pieces; and the taking to pieces and putting together again, costs more than the Repair itself, and thus the charges for trifling things appear enormous. The expense of unhanging, taking to pieces, putting together, and re-hanging, is the same in small as in large Repairs: some Coachmakers copiously mention in their bills every circumstance of the Job, almost to the number of turns of the screws, or blows of the hammer, with a constant repetition of driving out—driving in—taking off—putting on—unscrewing—screwing—nailing—unnailing—unhanging and re-hanging, &c. &c. &c., which sometimes seems to be done only to confound the charge for the Job with so many different matters as to make it perfectly incomprehensible.
To the above we have actually seen added, when the Carriage was taken to the Coachmaker’s to have any little Job done, “To Washing and Cleaning, 3s. 6d.”—although the Coachman assured us that the Carriage was clean when he took it, and that he found it dirty when he went to fetch it home.
We refer the Reader to the
CAUTIONS ON REPAIRING CARRIAGES,
which are given in [page 60] of this Work.
A Carriage cannot be taken to pieces and put together, by the most careful and skilful Workman, without in some degree diminishing both the Beauty and Strength of the Machinery; therefore, when it is asunder, order that every part that appears defective be made good, that the repetition of such separation may occur as seldom as possible, not only to avoid Expense, but the Inconvenience of being without your Carriage while the Repairs are going on, which take longer time than people expect, who do not consider that New Timbers, Iron work, &c. require Painting and Varnishing, which must have at some seasons of the Year a considerable time to dry thoroughly hard.
When any of the main Timbers begin to decay, the greater part may be supposed to be in a similar state; failures then become frequent, and it is prudent to have the whole that is decayed renewed at once—which will not only be Safest, but will save much Expense and Trouble.
Mem. Be extremely cautious of altering any part of a Carriage—if you alter one part, it often becomes necessary to alter many other parts, and a trifling Expense becomes a very heavy one.
Mem. The Carriages commonly lent by common Coachmakers while they are repairing a Carriage, are sometimes so extremely old and ricketty, that it is not only disagreeable, but dangerous to ride in them;—insist upon having a good effective Vehicle, or go to another Coachmaker; therefore, before you send a Carriage to be repaired, desire the Coachmaker to let you see the Carriage which he intends to lend you during the time your own is repairing: this accommodation he ought to give you, if you are a constant customer, without making any charge for the use thereof.