We've given you as much help on this as we can - it would be nice to hear some of your own thoughts on the comments made and maybe something more of your own skill set?
Fault location and repair is a 'skill' as much as it is reliant on knowing the theory - using the various senses to detect issues before even approaching with test equipment for example. Prior knowledge helps a lot and that can only be acquired over time so if this is a 'first foray' into repairs then it could be a long slog - certainly not a profitable one as you need results, quickly in most cases, to get the reputation that is key to making this a success.
Having the test gear is quite different from knowing how to use it and interpret the results too. Soldering is, perhaps, the last required skill unless you acquaint yourself with those 'magical invisible' devices known as surface-mount - people that can work those components (particularly the large, multi-pin processors etc) have particular skills to achieve it that not many old fashioned solderers have. I've been soldering for 50 years and will tackle SMD stuff only as a last resort - not least because of eyesight issues (easily resolved with digital microscopes though) but the level of investment and learning time required to handle the stuff - and that's AFTER you learn the skills at locating the fault in those kind of circuits!
So - has anything we mentioned ticked any boxes for you or at least given you encouragement? Or have we, potentially, put too many obstacles in your path?
Like I said in my experience with an SMD soldering job test, I could barely even see the resistor, and if I breathed too hard they would blow away. Not something I would want to work at and almost walked out of the place, but did do the regular wire and component soldering anyway. I need something I can actually hold in my hand and see without a microscope.
That being said, according to what you are saying, aside from a hobby for my own enjoyment, I probably would not be able to turn around repairs quickly as I don't have 50 years of experience like you and I really have never liked the idea of sitting around in some poorly lit repair shop like I have seen others do, pulling out my hair trying to figure out why some TV or amplifier does not work every day. Probably at best, maybe I could invent some type of device and sell it as I think I'm smart enough to do that.
As I said in the opening, I've taken some college level classes in electronics, including AC, DC, Tubes, semiconductors, digital & boolean algebra, microprocessors and had some basic electricity school in the Navy including assisting ETs in the transmitter room and working in radio communications. I've also done a lot of soldering and wiring in aerospace jobs. I'm aware of the throwaway electronics black box economy that exists nowadays so I have no unrealistic expectations and also know that so much of electronics manufacturing has moved to China. Nevertheless, I have been looking for some kind of niche as an electronics hobbyist doing
something that could earn some extra money, but maybe that avenue is dead currently, except for the vintage repair that you have talked about. Also, it seems this message board is located around the British Isles, Scotland etc., and I don't know if the market is the
same in the USA where I live, although I suspect it is similar. Bottom line is I like working with electronics, especially on my time, on my terms (in contrast to working for some corporation) and thought there might be some vista where a person could make some extra $$$ nowadays. According to you, unless someone has years of troubleshooting experience acute senses and "Skills", it does seem like "
flogging a dead horse" as another poster has said here, although I don't want to give up and quit the idea just yet. There might be some opportunity out there, who knows....
sorry - I don't do tips! I've had customers wanting to pay me for my recipes and I refuse point blank! When I eventually give this part of my life a rest (couple of years time) I intend to write a book about the adventure we had creating our business and it will, of course, include all the recipes.
