Auto Hobby shop re-opens for business Published July 5, 2011 By Senior Airman Jacob Barreiro 436th Force Support Squadron DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. -- Fixing vehicles can be simple, but it can also be a hassle. Problems must first be properly identified, and only after an accurate assessment can the vehicles be fixed. Purchasing parts and paying for repairs is expensive as well, and people should always be wary of dealing with a less than scrupulous mechanic. With the reopening of the Dover Air Force Base, Del., Auto Hobby Shop, Xan Salas, 436th Force Support Squadron director of the Auto Hobby Shop, hopes that members of Team Dover will use the one-stop facility. The new shop is located behind the Arts and Crafts Center, Building 476, and can make vehicle maintenance and repairs an easier task. "We're excited to re-open the Auto Hobby Shop after two years of being under construction," said Mrs. Salas. "During our hiatus we got calls everyday asking for the shop to be re-opened." The shop offers customers minor vehicle repairs by a certified mechanic for $60 per hour. Customers are also given the option of renting work stalls ($4 per hour), lifts ($6 per hour) and tools (complimentary) to fix their vehicles themselves. The Auto Hobby Shop offers a variety of services, including tire changes, battery replacements, wheel alignments, brake jobs, transmission flushes, oil changes, car washes and vehicle inspections. "We have a new facility with new professional grade equipment with certified mechanics available," said Mrs. Salas. "We want everyone on Dover AFB to know they can get quality vehicle repairs in their own back yard." Even though the Auto Hobby Shop was just recently reopened and the service bays are not at full capacity, the customers using the shop's services are already giving it praise. "I heard about the Auto Hobby Shop at the First Term Airmen's Center," said Airman 1st Class Abdul Sadiq, Auto Hobby Shop customer. "There are a variety of tools and services available here and the prices are great." "I couldn't wait for the Auto Hobby Shop to be reopened," said Senior Airman Michael Funes, Auto Hobby Shop customer. "The shop has good prices, good equipment and makes doing my own repairs more convenient." While the customers that are aware of the Auto Hobby Shop speak highly about the services offered, Mrs. Salas wants to raise awareness on Dover AFB about the shop's re-opening. "Our work stalls and bays haven't been completely filled yet. That is the goal, to have every one of these working stalls occupied at all times of the day. We offer great services to the people of Dover AFB. Hopefully word will spread and more people will take advantage of it." The Auto Hobby Shop is open from Tuesday - Friday 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. and Saturdays 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. For more information call (302) 677-3249.