Price quoting for repair job...

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I've got a place that wants a quote to do a repair for them.  The repair is on a cracked pump housing for an irrigation pump, cast iron, crack is about 4" long.  The pump cannot be easily removed, so it must be done in place.  Plenty of room to work, easy access, no biggie.  Drain it, dry it, clean it up, stop drill the ends, grind it out a bit, preheat, weld, and post heat.My issue is that I used to work for this particular place, and they remember what they paid me when I worked there, which is undoubtedly part of why they called ME instead of someone out of the phone book.  I don't want to burn a bridge for future repair jobs (lots of pipe and equipment repairs) by asking too much, but I sure as hell ain't doing it for the stingy *** wage I used to make there.  Hopefully they'll understand they're now paying me to weld, not mow grass.Just wondering what sort of fee some of y'all would be charging to do such a repair...  Thanks in advance.You didn't build that.'85 Miller AEAD-200LE
Reply:Been there done that, lost my balls. Cast iron will either be very nice and forgiving and you will make your money on a quote. Or it will shove the job so far up your a$$ you will want to drink a bottle of Jim Beam with a crazy straw(happened to me on my pump housing fiasco). The pump housing can not be removed so that is strike one, can it be disassembled? There are bearings, seals and sensitive parts in there that must be protected. I would get T&M 4hr minimum.Disclaimer; "I am just an a$$hole welder, don't take it personally ."
Reply:Different job, different price. simple as that. I'd call around and see what someone else would do it for, and  go from there. They might remember you from mowing lawns but they also know you're welding now. They'll expect to pay more, but might be hoping for the "old friend discount. which if you want to get a lasting repeat relationship with them, than you might consider doing. say 10-20% less than then other guys would charge them. as long as that covers your overhead and most of your normal hourly rate.There are no problems. There are only solutions. It's your duty to determine the right one.Hobart Handler 210Airco 225 Amp MSM Stinger
Reply:I've done a bit of irrigation pump repair and I would flat turn down welding the casting.  Me and cast rarely get along and the cost of replacing the pump would break me.  So I'd say no and walk away.  That's my 2 cents....My name's not Jim....
Reply:when welding cast  there is no guarantees, cold weld it, half a inch at a time  and pinne  right a way , take your time   could  last a day or a decade,but it did crack some how to start,
Reply:Dumb question, can you braze it?TA Arcmaster 300CM3XMT 304S22P12 suitcase feederX-Treme 12VSOptima pulserTA161SMaxstar 150STLHypertherm PM45OP setupStihl 020AVP, 039, 066 Magnum
Reply:Perhaps this is a place for Lock-N-Stitch type repair, instead of welding? http://www.locknstitch.comIf you go for welding, I would give them a good price for an attempt to repair it, and be very clear it comes with no kind of guarantee. If they don't already know, explain that cast iron can be anything between very simple and completely impossible to weld, so the only way to know if it's actually weldable is to attempt to repair it and see if it holds.Myself, I've only got a O/A welder, so I'd have to remove the cracked piece, preheat the entire piece until it's red hot, weld with cast iron rod, and then let cool very slow buried in some kind of insulation. Probably the best way to weld cast iron, but if the pump cannot be disassembled that's impossible.
Reply:They pump COULD be disassembled, however it's a vertical turbine pump with a 150 hp motor.  It stands over an open pit, with grating all around it for a floor surface.  In order to remove the motor, the roof would need to be removed, and the motor lifted off the housing with a crane.  If they're going to the trouble of removing the roof, they'll just replace the whole pump, so this is a last-ditch shot at salvavging the pump for another couple years.You didn't build that.'85 Miller AEAD-200LE
Reply:I wouldn't turn down the job flat risking losing future work from them. Explain the quirks of welding cast and tell them you'd be happy to try it but can't guarantee the repair.
Reply:Give them an estimate for repair and guess how long its going to take and what your hourly rate is.   and go from there.   not rocket scienceVantage 500's LN-25's, VI-400's, cobramatics, Miller migs, synch 350 LX, Powcon inverters, XMT's, 250 Ton Acurrpress 12' brake, 1/4" 10' Atlantic shear,Koikie plasma table W/ esab plasmas. marvel & hyd-mech saws, pirrana & metal muncher punches.
Reply:Originally Posted by G-sonIf you go for welding, I would give them a good price for an attempt to repair it, and be very clear it comes with no kind of guarantee.
Reply:If it's a last ditch effort, I'd give it hell. I fixed a big Niagra cast press at my dad's factory when I was about 14 welding with nickel 99 sticks. I'd weld it about an inch then peen the hell outta it with a big hammer. No pre or post heat. That was about 11 years ago and it's still banging out pieces to this day. I still have a few of those rods in my pile that I run across and used one a few months back with the tig on an exhaust manifold. I'd price it out at what ya think it'll take and write in the estimate that there will be no warranty expressed or implied. Then, if the welding gods are looking down on ya and you get lucky, you got a customer for life