setting up a truck

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so I am a 2nd year Alberta apprentice and I planning to get my own truck 6 months to a year from now but I don’t really know allot about portable rigs. I would like a skid style that is removable from the bed. My question is just generally how much does it cost excluding the truck to get set up? Miller or Lincoln? Other unseen concerns and costs? I was looking and I think 300-400 amps would be tons and I want a suitcase welder also.Thanks
Reply:That easy $3,000 to $300,000. Used or new. Ranger mini truck or F550 or something in between ? Only you might know what you will be doing with it. As for myself I require as much in other type of tools as strickly welding tools. Hand tools, electric impact, hammer drill , chopsaws and what not. I would need the f550 if I carried everything a once. Sense I own the tool except for the welder and the boss owns the truck and i don't have 2 of everything I only load the truck with the things I'll beusing that day. Of course i have the basic hand tools just for the truck.Tough as nails and damn near as smart
Reply:it all depends on what tools you want. gas or diesel welder, gas or diesel truck, torches, tool boxes and air compressor. i'm looking for a service truck with a crane which adds to the cost of the truck. for just starting out i would try to keep expenses low.  and keep it simple. once your out working you'll find out what you will need on a daily basis. as you make money keep investing some back into your rig for tools that you need. good luck
Reply:I had two engine driven welders on my truck.  A Lincoln SA 200 was my primary machine, and my Miller AEAD200LE for AC Tig Welding, and when ever I needed AC auxilliary power.  I also had a MIG spool gun for aluminum welding in the field.   I had a Ford F350 upgraded to 13,000 GVW.  I carried many tools not seen on a Pipeline Rig, as I did lots of heavy equipment welding repair down to wrought iron railings.  I guess it's difficult to give you a figure, because we don't know exactly what you career goal in the welding field is.  Whatever you do, don't go cheap tools.  You'll regret it.  By that I mean purchase quality tools that will last.  A lot of the cheapo Harbor Freight tools just won't hold up being used daily.Good Luck..
Reply:And then a lot of the HF tools will hold up for day to day.  I can prove it.Esab Migmaster 250Lincoln SA 200Lincoln Ranger 8Smith Oxy Fuel setupEverlast PowerPlasma 80Everlast Power iMIG 160Everlast Power iMIG 205 Everlast Power iMIG 140EEverlast PowerARC 300Everlast PowerARC 140STEverlast PowerTIG 255EXT
Reply:I have an F-350 with a Trailblazer, compressor gangbox full of tools, torches, extra tanks, and a cab full of goodies, oh yeah the SA-250 is on a trailer with side boxes full of more tools. I do EVERYTHING, so I need all my tools. If you are specialized, and stick to one thing you can get away with less.Disclaimer; "I am just an a$$hole welder, don't take it personally ."
Reply:Here's a couple I found on Kijiji.com (Red Deer). http://reddeer.kijiji.ca/c-cars-vehi...QAdIdZ83742927http://reddeer.kijiji.ca/c-cars-vehi...QAdIdZ79003157If you don't want to stand behind our Troops, feel free to stand in front of them.
Reply:thanks alot for the responses. i guess the work would be a big help to. right now i work in a structural shop so that is what i know but the money is in the oil fields so i'm sure that is where i would go. one or the other is where i think i would end up.
Reply:Is the oil patch in fort mac still looking for welders? or is things starting to quiet down due to the global credit crunch and the drop in crude oil prices. I too work in a structural shop on the southwest coast of BC and things here have also started slowing down. Possibly looking at layoffs in the new year with the postponement of the Alcan job up in Kitimat. At this time we are still working on a couple of bridges and some other things for the upcomming Olympics but most of the big stuff is finished. The bossman told us the other day that they are still bidding on some jobs but there may be some lean times ahead.Just trying to figure out if I should stay localy here or brushup on my welding procedures (I am a 14 year Journeyman Fabricator with a BC  "B" Level welding ) and start thinking of packing up the truck and going north. Might be an idea to challenge the redseal test first!
Reply:umm i don't really know but i called my step father (concrete finisher up in mac) and he was sayying that it slows down in the winter and there was a big sin crude job that got pushed back to the spring due to the economy. there are other jobs tho.http://www.ironworkers720.com/ here is a decent website but it is pretty dry right now.
Reply:So does this mean your setting the rig for piping?I'd rather be hunting........USE ENOUGH HEAT.......Drifting around Aussie welding more pipe up, for something different.....wanting to get home.
Reply:when i first get it i want a all round rig for working locally since i wont be a journeyman at the time then once i have my red seal i will specialize into something else. that will depend on what the work is at the time. what i think i will do is buy a used but fairly new skid that has the bottles and cabinets.