Model A frame boxing price

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A guy came to me and asked if I could box in his model A rat rod frame. I know I can do it but he asked what do you think it would cost. That's what im having problem with in the welding field. I really don't know what to charge the guy the frame is about 140"-190" 1 weld would be that long 1/8' steel. Its about 560" welding low side and 760" weld high side so what should I bid.I did some looking online and I only found 1 price it was $500 in 09. What do you guys think would be a good price I know I have to add welding wire, gas, and power.
Reply:Do you have to make the pieces? Or just do the welding?My name's not Jim....
Reply:Just welding im hoping he will order the plate kits so its faster.
Reply:I'd guess at a buck an inch to start with.  I'd follow by telling him that is just an estimate and I work hourly.  So the final bill could be higher or lower than that.  If you have to do much prep work on the frame, the cost will have to be adjusted accordingly.My name's not Jim....
Reply:Ya if I have to do a lot of grinding and if he wants the weld grind finished that takes a lot of time. What is welding going for an hour right now average. Im thinking 15-25 a hour at what I could see being a lot of hours 20+ maybe even 40 or more that's a lot of welding.
Reply:I don't think it will take as long as you think if the pieces fit well.  I did about 900" of tig weld in maybe 8-10 hours for the sculptures I made in my "some art stuff" thread.You'll have to decide on your own what's fair for $$$.  Personally, $15-$25 seems like an employee wage.  If I'm supplying all the equipment, consumables, etc. I want more.  I don't know what your skill level is, but if I'm charging money for something, I feel obligated to deliver good results.My name's not Jim....
Reply:Ok so if I told him $1000 for the welding and grinding after 200 in welding need (wire, gas, tips) flap disks and weld thru primer. I guess after all said and done I would clear $800 or should I go $1500 and see what he thinks.
Reply:That's your call...My name's not Jim....
Reply:Around here a legit shop with insurance and overhead probably charges $50-65 per hour not including materials. Mobile work is usually higher. If you are doing side work, no insurance, minimal overhead, hourly rate is usually much less.I'd figure in what work needs to be done to get a rough estimate of hours required and consumables and start with that. Is the frame going to be sand blasted or are you going to either do that or have to grind and sand for prep? How good/bad are the parts going to fit? Kit vs scratch built? What sort of final finish is he looking for? Are you supposed to prime/paint, or is raw ok?These and many others are the questions you have to answer to get the info you want. A one man guy doing side work with minimal tools is going to take longer than a fully equipped fab shop that is used to doing production work. The small guy might spend hours sanding and grinding for prep, while the fab shop might send the frame out and have it blasted for example..No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth! Ronald Reagan
Reply:You said he is building a Ratrod- Chances are he is not going to care if the welds are all ground smooth- Next factor is that it is a Ratrod and is more than likely going to be built as cheap as possible. With out a frame jig boxing the A frame is going to be a time consuming job because it will want to twist like no-other therefore, you can only weld a little at a time. Unless it is media blasted- the time it will take to prep with be time consuming and really a dirty job. Because of the rat factor unless the guy is a purest it is cheaper to make a frame from scratch or buy one ready made.Personally I tell my customers that I can build it- I charge time and materials- I am cheap- And I can give you an estimate but be prepared for issues that may take us over the estimate- Finally I will contact you if we are going over the estimation. Personally I have been doing stuff for 15 and hour for a guy and honestly at the end of the day after all the burns, scrapes, fumes, and physical exertion- it is not enough. I wouldn't lock yourself into to low of a bid. You want 1500 to do the frame or a little more? Keep that number in your head and be honest with the guy and ask him what he is willing to pay out. Negotiate a price but don't under estimate yourself... Cheers- Shuvlhead
Reply:For $1500 I would go out and just buy the welder to do the job.  My opinion on building a rat rod is actually "building" it.  There not perfect and show the skills you have(or don't).
Reply:I'm a welder by trade and in my home shop I have a minimum welding charge of $25.00 and it covers the first hour. Then I useally charge $25.00 an hour for straight welding if it is easy, not much prep work, and nothing extoic (confined space, aluminum, cast iron, etc). For exotic, out of postion, tig welding, metal fab, and etc I adjust my rates according to the job. If he brought me a clean frame with precut boxing plates I would most likely charge around $200.00 for welding (I'd figure about a good Saturday project taking your time). Like said, take your time welding, move around and clamp the frame down to something strong to keep it from warping. Also check it for squareness before and after welding. Good luck.
Reply:Model A frame is easy to box. I just have a piece sheared to the right width and cut the tapers in the shop. Use CRS instead of hot rolled, keeping the mill scale off leaves less grinding. You are probably looking at 4 hours per side to fit, weld, and grind. This is on a bare frame, no paint. For a bare frame, your price is way out of line. Once you do it you will understand. A lot of guys are insetting the boxing plates 1/2" or so, this leaves room for wire a tube runs on the boxing plate that are then not as exposed. Need to have good looking welds though, or grind to a smooth fillet. Good luck
Reply:A better choice is to build a new frame from rectangle tube. An 80 year old frame may not be in the best shape. Here is one I built years ago. have funtom Attached Images
Reply:A lot of good points this guy has a lot of money and he has a lot of cars but he has other people do all the work. The kit is a way faster easier fit thin making all the plates myself as I do not have a cutting torch or plasma cutter so it will be all cut off wheel way to much time.I don't know the guys preference on rat rod but if it was me I would want nice finished welds and paint the frame not do the rust.I am worried about wrapping the frame that's why I was going to weld some 1/8" angel iron top and bottom of the frame to keep it straight as I can and still do slow 3 inch beads.That's 1 SWEET HOT ROD.Current welderHobart Handler 187Dead weldersHF 151 dual migCraftsman Welder 20511Craftsman Welder 80amp FluxI killed them LOL!!!!
Reply:I charge $25 an hour plus consumables. Then tell him flat out it will take X-number of Hours plus Y for the consumables. See what he says.
Reply:I would listen to acourtjester, I've heard many many guys wish they would have built new frames instead of boxing/plating the old stock frame..  It might be a ratrod build, but it still needs to be a safe ratrod build.tackleexperts.comwww.necessityjigs.comhttps://www.facebook.com/groups/mach...dingequipment/