Can you make me???

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Got an email last week, guy has a new wave runner coming in and he sent this email.I'd like tigged 1.25" stainless steel tubing. Thinking somewhere along the lines of 18 or 16 ga, DOM or ERW tubing, not really concerned with that. The rail would wrap around the back like in the drawing and have two 2" stainless steel rod holders on either side. The vertical support at the rear will be canted towards the bow with a slight bow as seen in the picture. Crossmember is just straight. The diagonal main rail doesn't have to be bowed but would like the ~45 degree bend at the bottom or just one gradual bow without the angled bottom portion. It will be used 98% on the ocean. I don't have the specific dimensions yet but will have a better idea when it comes in. It will stand roughly 4 feet high(flush with rear deck) and from the rear deck will come in about 4-1/2 feet towards the bow. I want to be able to stand up on the back if I have to but still have a safety rail that can hold my rods. It needs to be low enough to keep me from falling into the water but tall enough for me to sit on the back end of my seat facing the stern so I can bend over and pull my shrimp pots.I tell him it would take 25 hours to take his idea and turn it into something to build from.I asked for $1000.00 in retainer. This is his reply to the request for the $1000.00 retainer. I'll just go cheap get an exhaust shop to make my 4 bends and weld it up myself. I am getting better at spotting the dreamers that have no money and no appreciation for quality and real customers.
Reply:I get these people too, saying it just needs a "tack" that is all. Then when I ask them to send pics and I get them all I see is a mess. Got to let the dreamers dream though..T.J.www.tjsperformance.comDynasty 300 DXHTP 240HTP Microcut 380Hyperthem 85JD2 Hyd Bender and HF Hyd Ring Roller all in one =(Frankenbender)Bpt. Mill/DRO4' x 8' CNC Plasma TableInstagram: tjsperformanceYT: TJS Welding and Fabrication
Reply:Tell him to be sure and post pics......zap!I am not completely insane..Some parts are missing Professional Driver on a closed course....Do not attempt.Just because I'm a  dumbass don't mean that you can be too.So DON'T try any of this **** l do at home.
Reply:He might be back when a nice halibut,king salmon snaps one of his tacked rod holders!
Reply:Another thing I like is such and such costs this much, can you build it for less, and they want it built better.Leo
Reply:Been there done that. This surely has never happened to anyone else has it?Them: "It'll only take 5 minutes."Me: "How the hell do you know how long it'll take? Are you a weldor?"Them: "Hm, ah yes"Me: "Then why not do it yourself and save some money?"Them: "Well ...uh...I don't have a welder... or any tools... and the last time I welded something was in high school."Me: Brian LeonardAppalachian Ironworks L.L.C.434 Long Branch Rd, Marshall, NC 28753828 649 9966828 702 [email protected]
Reply:Oh yes we all get those. Although I sometimes get a chuckle out of the "favor" these want to give me it creates another pissed off person that can't understand WHY?PeterEquipment:2  old paws2  eyes (that don't look so good)1  bad back
Reply:There isn't much call for fishing related stuff here on the plains. My favorite is the request to build a BBQ grill on your day off. "I'll buy you a case of beer if you will". I would just tell 'em "I don't drink". Get old, retire, people will finally quit asking you to build expensive things for a little of nothing.
Reply:Fellow I know and like came by and wanted me to re- weld the bracket on the muffler of his wifes car with my Stickmate.  I know enough about welding to realize that trying to use 6011 under a car, on a muffler, with out a lift or grease pit, is an invitation to disaster.He was willing to try; after all he had once picked up a mig gun 20 years ago in high school.  When he tried to run a bead on a piece of scrap, he realized he was in way over his head.I pulled a couple of stainless worm gear hose clamps out of my collection, and clamped the bracket to the muffler.  We saved a car and he went away happy.Last edited by nadogail; 03-19-2011 at 09:52 AM.Reason: lack of spell checkI offer three choices: Good, Fast, & Cheap. You may pick two.Hobart AC/DC StikMate LXHarbor Freight AD HoodHarbor Freight Industrial Chop SawDeVilbis 20 Gallon, 5 HP Compressor
Reply:Originally Posted by NVWAnother thing I like is such and such costs this much, can you build it for less, and they want it built better.
Reply:Im glad hes built roll cages, yet hes talking about using a 90 dollar bender (pipe) on tubing. why is he trying to prove something to you? Hes coming to you for helpHTP Invertig 201Lincoln Idealarc SP250Miller 180 AC StickBy farmall:They should have held the seagull closer to the work, squeezing evenly for best deposition.
Reply:Yeah he sounds like he's ready to start his own fab shop. They are inclinometers and Gorrilla duct tape ain't 5 bucks!
Reply:heya FB, could you make me an entire tube framed race car?  I'd like it done out of precision ground 2" .25 wall 304.  But I only want to pay $500 cause for that much I can build it myself using some jbweld (strong as TIG right? ) and a makita belt sander.  Also, the PG stainless tube should only be around $2 a foot for me, so don't charge me too much on material --Wintermute"No man's knowledge here can go beyond his experience." - John Lockewww.improvised-engineering.comManufacturer Agnostic:Blood----------Sweat---------Tears----|------------------|----------------|----Lincoln Red, Miller Blue, Esab Yellow
Reply:Definitely seems like he's expecting a lot for a little. Originally Posted by Fat BastardThe rail would wrap around the back like in the drawing
Reply:Originally Posted by craxDefinitely seems like he's expecting a lot for a little.Can you post the drawing so I can make sure I'm imagining this right?
Reply:I just quoted a neigbor $2700 for a cutsom build double axle trailer.Build was as follows:18'heavy wall rectangular tubingOverbuilt frame..120 platedRecessed led's brake lights, and turn signals.Recessed winch and storage box in front.Reinforced fenders that he could drive jeep over top of4 tires/rims + plus, two spares. 6 total Spare tire holders.Built in grillCouple more recessed boxes.etc...Bad *** trailer.Essentially told him to pay for the parts and I'd design it, and build it during my down time, and on weekends.He thought I was trying to hold him over the coals on it?He bought one used and asked me to figure up some prices to see what it would take to make some modifications and put some tool boxes, winch, etc....I told him don't have the time.The lesson I continually learn in.......If I bend over backwards to help someone, far more often than not, I get my back broke.1981 Lincoln SA 200Miller Trailblazer 302gMiller 211 Mig Welder w/ AutosetI'm learning to stick metal together
Reply:Originally Posted by jsm11I just quoted a neigbor $2700 for a cutsom build double axle trailer.Build was as follows:18'heavy wall rectangular tubingOverbuilt frame..120 platedRecessed led's brake lights, and turn signals.Recessed winch and storage box in front.Reinforced fenders that he could drive jeep over top of4 tires/rims + plus, two spares. 6 total Spare tire holders.Built in grillCouple more recessed boxes.etc...Bad *** trailer.Essentially told him to pay for the parts and I'd design it, and build it during my down time, and on weekends.He thought I was trying to hold him over the coals on it?He bought one used and asked me to figure up some prices to see what it would take to make some modifications and put some tool boxes, winch, etc....I told him don't have the time.The lesson I continually learn in.......If I bend over backwards to help someone, far more often than not, I get my back broke.
Reply:looking at his drawing that could be a pretty big safety problem too!  those wave runner are made so that you should be free to fall off in most directions if you need to.   I could see him hitting some other boats wake, going nose-to-sky, falling backwards and hurting himself pretty bad!
Reply:In a strange way, I am happy to hear that this happens in other industries. I had a "friend" come over to the shop and spent the day using about $1000 worth of materials. He was doing this to make something to sell. (not for personal use, right?)When he left, he left a mess for me to clean up.  As well, I had to finish the project, only took about a half an hour, but still, he left it all.Came back to pick it up and I handed him a bill for materials. He actually said, "I wish you would have said something at the start". Really? no, Really? I said. Wow, looks like _they_ are all over the place.Regards,RobGreat Basin WeldingInstagramBlue weldersRed weldersMy luscious Table DIY TIG Torch cooler
Reply:From my experience, if you have a nice shop filled with good tools, someone, usually a friend, will want to make full use of your investment.Best of Luck to all you shop owners.
Reply:man, I get more than my share of crap like this in my body shop...  gotta love the classics:"can't it just be buffed out?"... ah, dents don't buff out"oh, it's just a scratch".. yeah, ok, guess you don't even see the huge dent then huh?"go easy on me, I have to pay for this myself"... ah, ok, well I wasn't planning on paying for it from my kids college fund"oh, but the cars not even worth that"... ok, so DON"T fix it "oh, I don't want to spend a lot, they might hit it again" see previous response "ok, well since your fixing this anyway,while you have paint in the gun can you just spray a little paint over here & here too".. ahhh, it don't work that way "ok, I've got $1,200 worth of damage, but I want to save my $1,000 deductible... & you think you can throw this in too?" yeah, sure some people are just nuts... they think shopping for craftsmanship is like shopping for a tv at walmart... they think price is all that matters & they want the lowest one possible, & oh yeah, they also want it to be perfect too miller 330a bp TIGmiller dynasty 200DX TIGmillermatic 185 MIGthermal dynamics cutmaster 101 plasma cuttersnap-on YA5550 plasma cutterhypertherm powermax 30 plasma cutterbaileigh CS225 cold sawetc....
Reply:Originally Posted by Robert HallIn a strange way, I am happy to hear that this happens in other industries. I had a "friend" come over to the shop and spent the day using about $1000 worth of materials. He was doing this to make something to sell. (not for personal use, right?)When he left, he left a mess for me to clean up.  As well, I had to finish the project, only took about a half an hour, but still, he left it all.Came back to pick it up and I handed him a bill for materials. He actually said, "I wish you would have said something at the start". Really? no, Really? I said. Wow, looks like _they_ are all over the place.
Reply:I hate when it backfires though- throw out a high $ thinkin' they'll say "ah..No" but they say "Yes" ....damn it I was gonna go fishin' this weekend.Ed Conleyhttp://www.screamingbroccoli.com/MM252MM211 (Sold)Passport Plus & Spool gunLincoln SP135 Plus- (Gone to a good home)Klutch 120v Plasma cutterSO 2020 benderBeer in the fridge
Reply:That sounds like the type of person that buys a Sea Fox and then gets stranded or wonders why the floor is all mushy.
Reply:more often than not it's a young dude that hasn't been around the block yet................7A749 great advise. Finding out the budget before proceeding. That will weed out the fungus fast.