clip to beam connection welding cost?

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This is a question for you other guys who are in business doing metal framing and structural erection with beams and sheet steel members.   I have a possible job to give a price on that involves welding alot of 16ga clips to i-beams.    The contractor is looking for a general 'going price per clip' so he can finish out his costing for the job.  If I get the job I would be sub'ing from him for the welding only.   Connections are 10-15 feet off the slab and will already be set and screwed down and need to be welded in place.   I did this work before but wasn't involved in the pricing so looking for some general guidance on what the industry going price is.   I usually follow my own procedure for figuring estimates but this is a little out of my usual area of estimating experience.  Thanks for any help here.MM350P/Python/Q300MM175/Q300DialarcHFHTP MIG200PowCon300SMHypertherm380ThermalArc185Purox oaF350CrewCab4x4LoadNGo utilitybedBobcat250XMT304/Optima/SpoolmaticSuitcase12RC/Q300Suitcase8RC/Q400Passport/Q300Smith op
Reply:Need more info.Welding on ground?In Air? If so, how are you getting there?Flat plate or angle? (Angles will require clamping to weld even when screwed down...esp when screwed down.)One weld, two welds...more?Process...FCAW or SMAW?QamuIs Heg qaq law' lorvIs yInqaq puS
Reply:The connections will be 10 to 15 feet off the ground.  I'll likely rent a scissor lift to get there since this will speed up the work.   The clips are bent into angles and will already be screwed down prior to welding so clamping will likely be needed.  Clips will be welded along each long side of the angle so 2 welds per clip, 1/8" bead width, 6 to 8 inches long per weld.  There was no process or electrode spec'd in the prints so I'll likely use fluxcore self shield, running from jobsite power.  If I'm required to hire my own inspector I'll bill that seperately, as additional to the per clip price.Last edited by DesertRider33; 02-11-2010 at 08:12 AM.MM350P/Python/Q300MM175/Q300DialarcHFHTP MIG200PowCon300SMHypertherm380ThermalArc185Purox oaF350CrewCab4x4LoadNGo utilitybedBobcat250XMT304/Optima/SpoolmaticSuitcase12RC/Q300Suitcase8RC/Q400Passport/Q300Smith op
Reply:Hmm...still a lot of variables that will affect production. This job screams by the hour to me. Plus, if you are providing your own lift and inspection, you are doing much more than weld labor. Seems to me they should be providing all that stuff if they just want labor from you....dunno. Production won't be very high. Depending on how many times you have to move, how much crap is on the deck, and how many times you have to move cords, etc.....you are likely looking at 15 minutes or so per clip. Might be less...might be more. You figure you have to get up there..lifts are slow...position, clamp twice per side for an angle or it will curl on you, weld both sides....since you are using fluxcore, clean each side to check for voids. Since these are screwed down, one would assume the beam is gauge metal, so blow and go isn't possible. If its a heavy beam, you can turn the machine up higher to make better production, but not that much. Being screwed down also tells me its a sheet angle. Means one side will weld easy, the other with the break will weld slow. Lots of filling on the curve.Here is one thing you may want to consider on using shore power. Unless you are the only one on the job, you will be playing the cord and breaker game, esp if you are using 120v. Everyone and his dog will be on the same panel. If they screw up and cut power, you are stuck. If they cut your cord, you are stuck. Guys unplug stuff all the time, esp if guys are not paying attention to who is using what. All that will hamper production. It is slow going when above 8', even more so if you are having to deal with monkeys on the ground farting around with the juice. If it were me, I'd be using my own power at the least....but I'd probably run stick on this too. Less setup and easier moves...and no thin cords for the lift to break or cut and no gun length limiting the moves. Running a suitcase off the engine drive would be a good option , too. Stronger drive and a longer gun will help.Don't know if that helps you or not. There are a lot of variables to consider. I would be surprised if you get production over 8-10 clips per hour.....not surprised if its more like 4-5 per hour.Last edited by DDA52; 02-11-2010 at 10:56 AM.QamuIs Heg qaq law' lorvIs yInqaq puS
Reply:Thanks for your ideas and info.   Yeah there's alot to consider.  On the power, I can run off the engine drive if I need to, cost a tank or 2 of gas, no biggie just would rather not listen to it scream all day if I dont have to.  They're heavy I-beams and 16ga clips so I assume they'll be shot down with a powder gun, which deforms the clips some so ther'll likely be gaps to fill.  The Passport has done these on 120v jobsite power without probs so I'll probly stick with that rather than run the Suitcase and end up with somebody running over my control cable.  Was thinking of taking the 15' torch off the machine and using the 10 footer cause the 15 footer is too much torch when using a scissor lift with the machine in the lift.  I end up fighting with the extra torch length inside the lift.As far as clutter on the deck, I'll only know that the day I get there.  Hopefully it's not too bad.  I've been on sites where it didn't look like anybody ever picked up a cut drop for the whole length of the job, couldn't move at all, or so many cords run in all directions and half of them not even being used.Anyways, lots to think about.  Certainly thanks for your insights!MM350P/Python/Q300MM175/Q300DialarcHFHTP MIG200PowCon300SMHypertherm380ThermalArc185Purox oaF350CrewCab4x4LoadNGo utilitybedBobcat250XMT304/Optima/SpoolmaticSuitcase12RC/Q300Suitcase8RC/Q400Passport/Q300Smith op
Reply:No worries.The main concern I have with shore power is stability. You usually can't get a dedicated line and with Lord knows how many three ways running off a single breaker, it can get dicey for a 120v welder. I wouldn't use an RC on something like this. You will be running mostly flat fillets. Once the unit is set, its likely not going to need to be fiddled with. This is where a VS feeder shines. You can run 400' from the machine is need be. I am still leery of using flux core on these things. Too many engineers hate the stuff or want to check it, submit samples, etc. Never had an issue with stick.QamuIs Heg qaq law' lorvIs yInqaq puS