Show us your welding projects

[Journaler]

Ewww I wouldn't touch that thing with a 10' pole. He's a cheapskate... and got what he paid for.

If you do take the job, get all the money up front. Yes, all the money.
Don't give him a discount for helping... that never works out. Either because his "help" slows you down... or it's not worth the discount he's expecting.

Also, charge fairly. Including fabricating new replacement pieces after removing the Frankenstein pieces. If you're gonna do it, might as well do it right... and charge accordingly.

 

[aka Larry]

Ack! Is anyone besides me thinking ZTFAB could weld better than that blindfolded?

 

[TimeWarpF100]

Ewww I wouldn't touch that thing with a 10' pole. He's a cheapskate... and got what he paid for.

If you do take the job, get all the money up front. Yes, all the money.
Don't give him a discount for helping... that never works out. Either because his "help" slows you down... or it's not worth the discount he's expecting.

Also, charge fairly. Including fabricating new replacement pieces after removing the Frankenstein pieces. If you're gonna do it, might as well do it right... and charge accordingly.

It just kind of Irks one when they think you are too expensive to do it right the first time & that was just enough to cover expenses. I will pretty much pass on trying to fix the mess. Looks like a bit more than just a small bit of welding? LOL

Ack! Is anyone besides me thinking ZTFAB could weld better than that blindfolded?

I think blindfolded with both his hands tied behind his back . . .

Forgot to mention this is for a BRAND NEW never run dune buggy . . . The "V" portion of panel is the side where you climb in! Back up 20' from buggy and take a run and flying dive to get in, hopefully you can somehow make it to behind the steering wheel .. .

 

[zmotorsports]

Personally, I would quote him the cost to fabricate a new panel.

It is obvious he got the job he paid for but he may not want to hear that.

Mike.

 

[StumpXJ]

Looks good as usual Stump. When are you going to go into mass production of those things?

Mike.

I hope never! Thanks Mike!

Your son's swingout is looking pretty spiffy as well. I am in the middle of building a rear bumper with swingout for my daily driver Jeep too, just gotta get off my **** and finish it up. Got the brackets done (pics below), so now I have a starting point, but a long ways to go. Somehow my personal stuff gets pushed to the back burner for my buddies ****. I need to learn to say no sometimes.

 

[IONH]

You guys must pay a ton for your material to do these projects.

 

[zmotorsports]

I hope never! Thanks Mike!

Your son's swingout is looking pretty spiffy as well. I am in the middle of building a rear bumper with swingout for my daily driver Jeep too, just gotta get off my **** and finish it up. Got the brackets done (pics below), so now I have a starting point, but a long ways to go. Somehow my personal stuff gets pushed to the back burner for my buddies ****. I need to learn to say no sometimes.

Looking good. Nice looking welds. I did a rear for an XJ a few years ago and fabricated mounting bracket in almost the exact same fashion as yours.

Mike.

 

[zmotorsports]

You guys must pay a ton for your material to do these projects.

Steel isn't cheap but still a lot less than purchasing mass produced products such as bumpers, tire carriers, etc. Besides for me it is the pride and the little details that make the difference between a custom built component compared to a purchased and bolt on component.

Mike.

 

[luvit]

You guys must pay a ton for your material to do these projects.

my projects have been small, my stock purchases have been less than 4' lengths with a charge to cut.
if you can't purchase full lengths, or can't haul full lengths then the price gets jacked-up.
also, all places i know of charge $5-$7 per chop.
i'm building a receiver hitch travel rack for my SUV so i can buy longer stock and haul it over my cab and hood.

 

[saabman]

Wow, I pay like a buck per cut. I typically by 24 ft sticks cut in to 8 ft lengths.

 

[PCO6]

... all places i know of charge $5-$7 per chop.

Yikes !!! The places I go to usually charge a buck a cut and if you buy on a failry regular basis or a decent (undefined) amount they often don't charge at all.

 

[bluebolt]

Ack! Is anyone besides me thinking ZTFAB could weld better than that blindfolded?

Advanced robots from other planets don't have eyes LOL.

 

[StumpXJ]

The material is usually a fraction of the cost of a 'factory built' unit. I can build winch bumpers all day long for $125.00 in material, including steel, grinding wheels, paint, and hardware. They typically cost $600-$900 bucks. Labor is another story.

The key to getting cheaper new material is to go to the source. I buy from the largest distributor in Atlanta. Its the same place that all of the other places get their steel from. Cut out as much of the middle man as possible, and its not too bad.

 

[IONH]

my projects have been small, my stock purchases have been less than 4' lengths with a charge to cut.
if you can't purchase full lengths, or can't haul full lengths then the price gets jacked-up.
also, all places i know of charge $5-$7 per chop.
i'm building a receiver hitch travel rack for my SUV so i can buy longer stock and haul it over my cab and hood.

So lets say you were buying some square tube stock to make a hitch receiver. How much would that cost roughly by the foot (if that is how the charge).

 

[luvit]

So lets say you were buying some square tube stock to make a hitch receiver. How much would that cost roughly by the foot (if that is how the charge).

i'm buying some after the 1st of the year, so i'll let you know.
my last purchase was through the owner and i told him that this is tough pricing for hobbyists and it's killing me to do this.
i'm also planning to only buy through the owner from here-on.. he was listening to me, unlike his employees.

i think he was asking about my little projects for a reason.
i'll be buying in longer/larger quantities hopefully.

.

 

[purplezr2]

So lets say you were buying some square tube stock to make a hitch receiver. How much would that cost roughly by the foot (if that is how the charge).

Sometimes they will have drops if you only need a few feet, typically they have different sizes and usually sell them for cheap. I have found a few places that sell scrap by the lb, usually around .50$ a pound.

 

[sanddan]

Most charge by the pound but it is usually cheaper to buy a 20' stick as one cut is free and the price is less. Two 10' pieces are easier to transport and what you don't don't use on the project will be there for the next job. Lots of my projects are based on what I have in the stock pile. The cheapest steel will be in the left over bins at the steel yard and other than being rusty might work just fine.

 

[darkk]

eh...that'll buff right out.....

 

[Zeke]

So a neighbor asks "Can you weld Aluminum?" I can, what do you need welded?

Neighbor: A body panel for my dune buggy.
Me: I normally do not like to do projects now because I have so much of my own to do but . . .

Neighbor, Ok.. How much would you charge to do a few welds?

Me: Really depends on how much welding there is to do but I need *** amt to cover my expenses of running the welder and *** for my time.

I was probably to expensive at half of what I should have said. Did not hear anything for a week then a couple days ago he stops by with this mess he had someone do it for CHEAPER! LOFLOL Now wonders why it will cost more to do than before? I think I will just tell him to take it elsewhere. What would everyone else here do in this case? I was trying to do a favor but at this point pretty much lost interest especially as he was supposed to show up 2x to help and never showed. I do not want my name anywhere near this mess.
The $$ just went way up . . . Does not matter how I try to repair it will never match the other side without starting over. Note how a piece was screwed on as it was cut too short, side edge was also cobbled on as cut too short etc

Those pics should be labeled ****. Little kids are frightened by that kind of stuff.

 

[fourjeepin]

The material is usually a fraction of the cost of a 'factory built' unit. I can build winch bumpers all day long for $125.00 in material, including steel, grinding wheels, paint, and hardware. They typically cost $600-$900 bucks. Labor is another story.

The key to getting cheaper new material is to go to the source. I buy from the largest distributor in Atlanta. Its the same place that all of the other places get their steel from. Cut out as much of the middle man as possible, and its not too bad.

Hey Stump - you mind sharing the name of this place? I'm in Atlanta also and occasionally do some metal fab.

 

[steel 35]

So lets say you were buying some square tube stock to make a hitch receiver. How much would that cost roughly by the foot (if that is how the charge).

I am assuming your talking 2" ID and seamless so you can use it; don't be surprised if its over a buck an inch.

 

[ryan t]

I have a question and I think this is a better place to ask it than starting a new thread. I am relatively new to welding and am looking to build a welding/work table. Right now all I have is a Hobart flux wire welder. Is this welder good enough to weld together a welding table? I've practiced plenty on scrap metal, exhaust pipes, broken handrails etc, but this will be my first job that will be made to hold any weight. Is a flux-core welder sufficient to build a table out of 2" square tubing at .125" thick? I've considered upgrading to a MIG setup, but for general hobby welding/light automotive is it worth the investment to upgrade over flux? Thanks for any input.

 

[darkk]

Is a flux-core welder sufficient to build a table out of 2" square tubing at .125" thick? I've considered upgrading to a MIG setup, but for general hobby welding/light automotive is it worth the investment to upgrade over flux? Thanks for any input.

Yes and Yes...

 

[zmotorsports]

I have a question and I think this is a better place to ask it than starting a new thread. I am relatively new to welding and am looking to build a welding/work table. Right now all I have is a Hobart flux wire welder. Is this welder good enough to weld together a welding table? I've practiced plenty on scrap metal, exhaust pipes, broken handrails etc, but this will be my first job that will be made to hold any weight. Is a flux-core welder sufficient to build a table out of 2" square tubing at .125" thick? I've considered upgrading to a MIG setup, but for general hobby welding/light automotive is it worth the investment to upgrade over flux? Thanks for any input.

Yes it will work fine.

Mike.

 

[Zeke]

Ryan, FC welding is actually hotter than GMAW. You'll do fine. Look for some videos and other information about warpage and tacking up w/o your table legs drawing to one side.

Not that long ago I welded a cross bar to an iron gate. I shouldn't have been surprised at all that the bar rolled over about 30 degrees as I tack welded it all from the bottom side instead of alternating the tacks.

 

[StumpXJ]

Hey Stump - you mind sharing the name of this place? I'm in Atlanta also and occasionally do some metal fab.

Sure, Its IMS Georgia Steel. They sell to the public, no account needed. The place is HUGE.

http://www.imsgasteel.com/

 

[Curt_pnw]

I just spent some time reading through this thread. I love the diversity of different projects. Nice work guys!

Here's a way overbuilt bar i'm building from scrap I had laying around. I still need to add casters, put a few shelves underneath, attach the wood top, and paint the frame. It should look good in the basement, but somewhat of a pain to get down there. lol

The makings of a birdbath, work in progress. So far I have just tacked the sheet to the large diameter pipe. I'll post up a more finished shot next week.

Tig practice with random scraps of 1/8th inch aluminum at work.

 

[Compton]

A tandem axle trailer I built last year.

 

[Compton]

All Stainless Steel gas grill built in 2010.

Cost = $0.00

Cost if I had to buy the material = $1500

 

[Silver6.0]

A tandem axle trailer I built last year.

I'm in the process of building a trailer also and used the same chevy truck wheels as you, haha. Could not beat $10 a piece from the junk yard. Trailer looks great. Nice work.

 

[Compton]

I'm in the process of building a trailer also and used the same chevy truck wheels as you, haha. Could not beat $10 a piece from the junk yard. Trailer looks great. Nice work.

I paid $65 with tires mounted to a college kid here in town. I had to cut out the centers to a larger diameter because I used 2500# implement hubs. I plan on adding a dove tail and relocating the axles to the top side of the leaf springs to get the deck closer to the ground. What size trailer are you building?

 

[IONH]

All Stainless Steel gas grill built in 2010.

Cost = $0.00

Cost if I had to buy the material = $1500

Wow, big cost for material if you had to pay for it. That's why I'd just buy a big box one and be done.

There's one about 50% larger than that at Lowes I've been eyeing and is on clearance for $999 (or was).

 

[Silver6.0]

I paid $65 with tires mounted to a college kid here in town. I had to cut out the centers to a larger diameter because I used 2500# implement hubs. I plan on adding a dove tail and relocating the axles to the top side of the leaf springs to get the deck closer to the ground. What size trailer are you building?

Had to cut out the centers a little too, was a mobile home trailer frame w/ wedge style hubs. Switched to 6 lug 6,000 lb hubs. Triple axle, 8' wide by 18' long and plan to add a 2' dove tail.

 

[Turpin]

This little project was painful and time consuming. It cost me a trip to the eye doctor (magic bullet splinter removed), motor for air compressor and transformer in welder. Needless to say I over worked every tool I had as I didn't really have anything designed to endure the torture it received.
http://s355.photobucket.com/albums/r473/stien514/Isuzu/

 

[Turpin]

Amazing what you can make with inadequate tools.

http://s355.photobucket.com/albums/r473/stien514/Isuzu/

 

[IONH]

Amazing what you can make with inadequate tools.

http://s355.photobucket.com/albums/r473/stien514/Isuzu/


http://i355.photobucket.com/albums/r473/stien514/Isuzu/11.jpg

http://i355.photobucket.com/albums/r473/stien514/Isuzu/100_0023.jpg

Both projects look great!

 

[pmason0]

Just finished up a hose reel project for the shop. Welded up a mount, mounted some wheel studs. Painted the inter part of the wheel with a black bed liner spray and the outside orange.
I really wanted to find a cheap Porsche Fuch wheel but those don't really exist

 

[Duker]

Sorry to post in this section since it not really a welding project (yet) but I decided to get serious about my welding and build a welding table. I bought a 5/8" x 38" x 60" top from the scrap yard and just finished sandblasting it clean. What do you guys use on the surface that does a decent job of keeping it rust free/clean etc.?

I live in Houston so most metal surfaces rust just sitting in the garage. I have used a hard carnuba paste wax with some success on the surface of my saws, planes, etc. but thought I would check to see if there is a better alternative.

Thanks.
Duker

 

[Dubbydoo]

just wipe it down with a little bit of oil to get a film on it

 

[gregthor]

Hi Guys & Gals,
I used to store my chains in a 5 gallon plastic bucket but after buying a portable gantry crane, I found I used my chains too much to dig through a 5 gallon bucket. I needed to do something better for chain storage. I found a 14 bolt rear end cover from a big truck in the scrap hopper at work. A friend gave me the tubing from a hammock he threw out. I have had this parking meter my parents gave me for my tenth birthday back in the 60’s. The base was broke and I needed to do something with the meter before it fell over and was damaged so……..I decided it was time for a little welding project. My son bent up some hooks at work and my other son & I welded it up. I am going to use it for a while and when I know I don’t need to modify it I will paint it. But for now it is holding my chains just fine and also my coats.
Greg