Anything welding

I use the same regulator and gauges when switching cans of has for welding aluminum.

 

Yes.

 

Yeah that was a tack for initial placement, I'll come back and join the that with the bead. Trying to bounce around to avoid warpage. I'll be ill if I can't get my shafts and birfields back in haha. I've done this before so it should be good. Always up for some tips on welding though since I'm self taught.

 

I would wrap that first weld around the corner. Then when you come back and weld the other side, wrap it onto the previous weld. Corners and points are where stress is multiplied.

 

I may or may not be starting into this...
Got some good brains to pick though. My pops has been welding for 40+ years.

 

Quick question on how to price a repair job.

I repaired the corners on the fold down door frame on a steel, covered trailer. As you can see, the torsion spring door assist, cross bar had copletely seberated from the door jambs. I had to remove all the aluminum cladding and sheet aluminum to gain access to the cross bar. Basicly, the only thing holding the door frame top bar in place was the aluminum roof sheeting.

I spent way more time removing the aluminum skin than I did actually welding in repair plates on the 4 corners of the door frame. I figure I have a good, solid 6 hrs into removing and replacing the door torsion spring assembly and replacing the aluminum skin. If I spent 45 minutes actually welding in the repairs, I would be suprised.

I have no idea what to charge for this repair. Anyone want to toss out some numbers? Mind you that I do not run a fabrication buisiness per say, just word of mouth gets me all the work I need.






I'll prolly put another hour in checking wheel barings as well.

Sorry, ran out of time before I could snap an after picture.

Later

KO

 

As a side job, I'd think maybe $200.
Seems like it would be fair, cheaper than any shop would charge him I'm sure, but still decent money for your time.

 

I did a swing open door frame repair on a 53' trailer, and repaired some rust holes in the C channel frame. It took me 3 hours. I charged $100. It was -12 degrees when I did it. Eff that.

 

I like $200. That works to 30/hr.

 

Holy balls, aluminum is hard to work with. Would you guys please critique this? I'm trying to dial in the settings and this is after a few minutes of practice.

Hobart 210MVP on 115v, with the spool runner 100, cranked up to the highest setting (7) on the amps with the wire feed at 85 and Argon flowing ~20CFH. 1/8" 6061 plate.

DSC00241 by wyo_taco45, on Flickr

 

Weld better, is that the advice you were looking for?

 

Not enough heat and too much travel speed. Slow down and do more of a circular whip to tighten the pattern up and widen the bead a bit.

 

For your next "Holy shit aluminum is hard" task, try TIG.

Granted most people probably don't have an AC TIG laying around they can use.

 

Taking a huge risk this week and quitting my job to get on a shutdown crew. Either gonna be a great decision and gonna stay doing shutdowns or gonna be looking for a new job again once the project is done. Pretty nervous lol

 

So you're going to give up a full time job that isn't involved in the oil downturn to go into a part time job that's directly tied to an industry that's in the toilet? Not smart.

 

No risk no reward. The guy who's hiring me for it and manages it said this is the prime time for shutdowns and doesn't show any sign of stopping.

 

I'm surprised you could get a shutdown job without 5 years of pipe and structural welding experience. North Dakota won't even interview people without 5 years experience anymore. They got fucked hiring the farm kids back when.

 

I'm in somewhat of the same boat ha, leaving my full time job in Montana and moving back to Oregon to HOPEFULLY get on with the Local 29 Ironworkers. Good luck bro!

 

Exactly why I'm taking the chance! Its a big opportunity

 

Dude, you're on a different career path every week!

I hope it works out for you. But like others had said, think about it... Although, it sounds as though your mind is already made up.

Totally agree with SMKYTXN. There may be a reason why this outfit is sweet talking you. Ask around, make sure they're a reputable company. See if you can BS with some of the crew off the record - get a sense for what the job turnover is what the overall quality of management is.