Do-it-yourselfers, mechanics, novices, welcome at relocated hobby shop

st Lt. James Gianellini, a recent a graduate of The Basic School, uses gloves to remove parts of his fuel injection system the Quantico Auto Hobby Skill Shop.

By: Julia LeDoux | Inside NoVA
Published: February 13, 2009

The Quantico Auto Hobby Skill Center is open to all Marines and civilians interested in doing automotive maintenance to their vehicles, but is not well known among base occupants.
Originally located in an airplane hangar near Larsons gym, the shop and was moved in 2006, to Building 2080 between the Pruitt Hall Building and Motor-T.
Despite its heritage, it often goes un-noticed by potential clientele due to its remote location but remains an asset to base occupants who know of its accessibility, low prices and free programs, according to David Dean, automotive technician at the hobby shop.
The shop is equipped with seven auto-hydraulic lifts, six flat bed stalls, quality tools and seven employees that are trained to lend a hand and professional advice.
‘‘I’ve done all of the work on my car myself,” said 1st Lt. James Gianellini, a recent graduate of The Basic School. ‘‘It’s a really well equipped shop, with lots of bays, lots of lifts and all the tools you’ll need.”
The shop gets fairly busy on pay weeks with anywhere from 50 to 60 customers on a Saturday alone, said Dean.
Younger patrons of the shop often do cosmetic work and preventative maintenance on their cars, said Dean.
‘‘For the really young people who use the shop, it’s all about spiffing up their cars with exhausts and things like that,” said Dean. ‘‘More of these young Marines need to take advantage of this place, because it’s convenient and almost half the price of outside machine shops.”
This do-it-yourself hobby shop also provides services for users to expand their knowledge of automotive technologies and equipment usage.
Preventative Maintenance courses are offered as well as, brake diagnosis classes, free pre-96 inspections for all patrons for July 4th, Thanksgiving and Christmas, and active duty and family members only during the Memorial Day holiday.
For more information about the Quantico auto hobby shop call 703-784-2729⁄1401.

Do-it-yourselfers, mechanics, novices, welcome at relocated hobby shop

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