My first welding "job"

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OK, so I am still practicing and haven't even completed my own welding cart yet, but have done some welding on things around the house for practice. This past weekend I had my first welding "job", ok it was for a buddy and in trade not cash, but still I was able to practice, use the welder and get something out ot it more than just the practice. My buddy was taking the trim off his truck, '93 Dodge Ram, and found out the factory had punched six 1/2"ish holes in each side of his cab to install the trim, and some elongated over time (and him probably prying off the trim). Why they used adhesive on the doors but not on the cab who knows, but he wasn't too keen on just filling those holes with putty and asked if I could weld them up. I jumped at the chance, but warned him they may not look too pretty on the back side, he was Ok with that. I spend 5 hours cutting and shaping patch plugs ( using a socket, 2.5 pound sledge, block of wood and aviation sheers), welding them into place and grinding things smooth on the outside. I wish I had pics but since we were doing this yesterday in the storms, and all the welding was done outside in the rain under a tarp, then running back and forth in the rain to swtich out tools and make the next patch pieces and so forth we were a little too messy to try and take pics of the plugs or welding, but he posted some pics after priming the spots on FB, I will try and get a copy of those and post them up here. But darn it was good to be productive with a tool, and getting out and messing with my welder. It felt soo rewarding working on things and trying to figure out how to patch those holes, and makes me want to weld more stuff...
Reply:Good for you to get some practice in, but be careful on what you choose to work on and warn the owners. Iv'e done that job a hundred times in my sleep, and a few years back some sparks lit the door panel on fire with the doors locked and the owner in a part of the shop where he was nowhere to be found. Long story short I roasted most of a velour interior on a beautiful 1950 chopped Mercury by the time we got it opened and under control. He let me finish with steam coming out of his ears, and I never got paid and left with a bag over my head and my tail between my legs. Never heard from the guy again. I wonder why!I hate being bi-polar it's awsomeMy Heroes Have Always Been Cowboys
Reply:Originally Posted by johnpszBut darn it was good to be productive with a tool, and getting out and messing with my welder. It felt soo rewarding working on things and trying to figure out how to patch those holes, and makes me want to weld more stuff...
Reply:Good job!  How was the warpage of the sheet metal?-AaronJet 17.5" Drill Press1942 South Bend 16x84 Lathe1980s Miller 320A / BP --- 2013 Power Mig 2562012 Jet 7x12 Horizontal BandsawVictor O/A Setup
Reply:Originally Posted by weldermikeGood for you to get some practice in, but be careful on what you choose to work on and warn the owners. Iv'e done that job a hundred times in my sleep, and a few years back some sparks lit the door panel on fire with the doors locked and the owner in a part of the shop where he was nowhere to be found. Long story short I roasted most of a velour interior on a beautiful 1950 chopped Mercury by the time we got it opened and under control. He let me finish with steam coming out of his ears, and I never got paid and left with a bag over my head and my tail between my legs. Never heard from the guy again. I wonder why!
Reply:OK I got a few pics off my phone, but since facebook doesn't let you download pics these are screenshots so sorry for the quality. Again, it was raining and no work pics, but I have one of the holes before fixing and a side shot of the cab after patching and priming.John P.MM 211 and getting more tools/toys all the timeBAD (Big *** Dodge) Cummins powered truckRIP (Restomod In Progress) '67 Mustang Coupe1SlowFormula '95 Firebird Drag car
Reply:Very cool!  Thanks for sharing.  Just to encourage you, keep inquiring from the senior members (not me!) on this site for any questions you may have about any fabrication project that you face.  In the past, the senior members have consistently offered me a wealth of tips, tricks, and insights, which I've applied and grown from their sharing of knowledge, whether it's stick or mig welding (my two limited interests).  Finally, I can't speak for anyone else, but I also want you to know that it makes me glad when I hear about the welding jobs done (with pictures posted!) and the lessons learned from the weldor regardless of their skill level.  Thanks again for sharing!Agape GuyEverlast Power I-MIG 200 (dual voltage)Everlast PowerArc 200 stickHarbor Freight Titanium 125 Easy FluxHypertherm Powermax 30Way too many power tools