what should I charge??

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So my boss wants be to bring my welder to work for an aluminum job coming in. 1st I don't have room to do it in my small shop do to a current project there. 2nd I would be supplying the wire and gas. 3rd, my machine is a high end mutli-process machine (Lincoln C300) which is very valuable to me. So what do I charge him?Thanks in advance for your input
Reply:Half of what it would cost to rent plus consumables is what I would do.GravelThe difference between theory and practice is that in theory there is no difference.
Reply:SO will you be doing the work on the clock? basically is he paying for your time, or just for the use of the machine?- Christian M.C3 Welding & Fabrication - CNC Plasma Cutting-Mobile Welding-Custom welding and fabwww.c3welding.com
Reply:$55/hour
Reply:Originally Posted by Firemanmike69$55/hour
Reply:Originally Posted by shovelonSounds right. I charge $100/hour field welding, my equipment, my employee.
Reply:take the first price you were thinking of then double it.i.u.o.e. # 15queens, ny and sunny fla
Reply:The first time, I'd charge nothing (cept for materials).  Let him order the material on his own.  Do a great job and let the him see it.  Just your regular pay.  If he forces you to take extra, take it very hesitantly.  Drop the hammer on him the second time forward.  That would be my strategy.TA Arcmaster 300CM3XMT 304S22P12 suitcase feederX-Treme 12VSOptima pulserTA161SMaxstar 150STLHypertherm PM45OP setupStihl 020AVP, 039, 066 Magnum
Reply:Good thinking if he likes it he will come back.
Reply:Just remember, if you bring your machine to work there is risk involved. It may get dropped, stolen, wrong power applied, ****ed with while you are at lunch, wrecked in the car, etc. charge accordingly.
Reply:Originally Posted by Drf255The first time, I'd charge nothing (cept for materials).  Let him order the material on his own.  Do a great job and let the him see it.  Just your regular pay.  If he forces you to take extra, take it very hesitantly.  Drop the hammer on him the second time forward.  That would be my strategy.
Reply:Not exactly a light machine at 100lb+, how are you transporting it, can't just walk down the street with it.  If it gets damaged while in his shop will he cover the damage and lost time from your shop.  This has to taken into consideration as well.Bottom line is....are you friends with him or is he just your boss....Don't mix friendship with business.  Charge accordingly.Measure with a micrometre, mark with chalk,  cut with a torch.Never force anything...just get a bigger hammer.RoyOld Airco buzz box approx 1974Lincoln mig pack 15Lincoln 175 square wave1954 9" south bend lathe
Reply:I can't comment on pricing at all as I'm not a welder, I'm a gunsmith. With that said, I do have some advice about taking equipment to other shops and using it. You need to have a plan in place for how are you going to store it or is it going home with you each night. Who's going to use it? How are you assured that only the authorized are using it? Who's responsible for damage or failures to the equipment? For me it's always been simple, when I move equipment into a shop I have a chat with the owner and this is all spelled out very clearly and agreed upon. While a poor legal decision, most of the time it's a verbal agreement as if I couldn't trust their word my gear or me wouldn't be in their shop. Dealing with firearms there are a lot of ways to find yourself in prison. In your case, just make sure you've thought of the non money logistics before any of your gear shows up at someone else's place of business. If you need to get it in writing then do so. It's better than finding out you got screwed later.
Reply:Originally Posted by Drf255The first time, I'd charge nothing (cept for materials).  Let him order the material on his own.  Do a great job and let the him see it.  Just your regular pay.  If he forces you to take extra, take it very hesitantly.  Drop the hammer on him the second time forward.  That would be my strategy.
Reply:Originally Posted by ZTFabAnd I would take the opposite approach. Don't set the precedent that you will provide an expensive machine, the time to transport/deliver it (both ways), consumables, and the knowledge to operate it at little to no expense. He bid on, and took in, a job knowing that he lacked the proper equipment. He must have, or at least should have, factored in the cost of buying/renting/borrowing a welder.If you do it for nothing now the next time he takes in a job and needs it he will expect it for free and "dropping the hammer on him" will cause problems.
Reply:Originally Posted by ZTFabAnd I would take the opposite approach. Don't set the precedent that you will provide an expensive machine, the time to transport/deliver it (both ways), consumables, and the knowledge to operate it at little to no expense. He bid on, and took in, a job knowing that he lacked the proper equipment. He must have, or at least should have, factored in the cost of buying/renting/borrowing a welder.If you do it for nothing now the next time he takes in a job and needs it he will expect it for free and "dropping the hammer on him" will cause problems.
Reply:Randall,A lot of this is gonna depend on your relationship with your boss.Some bosses I've had, I would never consider what you're talking about.Other bosses I would do it for near free.Lincoln SA 200Esab Caddy 160Thermal Arc 201TSMiller Dialarc HFI don't like making plans for the day because then the word "premeditated" gets thrown around the courtroom....
Reply:Originally Posted by dubl_tRandall,A lot of this is gonna depend on your relationship with your boss.Some bosses I've had, I would never consider what you're talking about.Other bosses I would do it for near free.
Reply:In my opinion,  employees should not take advantage of their boss, and the reverse applies too.   Based in that assertion, he should pay you the same that he'd pay for similar services through normal channels.     If he pays you less he is taking advantage of you.Don't forget the hidden costs.   If you use a tank of gas, then you need to spend an hour running down to the gas supply house for a fill.  There are exceptions, of course.    You might charge less if it's something you really want to do.   You might give him a break if you know the business can't afford it but NEEDs it to survive.  Dan
Reply:Originally Posted by SlobI'm more along the same lines and try to get along with everybody. I've even went as far as allowing competing body shops to use a frame rack when their's was unservicable, or let yet others borrow a mig machine when their's was/is down for repairs. It's a real give and take type thing and should work to all's benefit.Sure wish we as a society could get back to that type of existence.
Reply:I bet if you told the boss you're lady was nice in bed he would be wanting to try her out. So who is the blabber mouth who told the boss you had a nice machine at home ? Do you like getting screwed ?
Reply:Originally Posted by NinjaRayI bet if you told the boss you're lady was nice in bed he would be wanting to try her out. So who is the blabber mouth who told the boss you had a nice machine at home ? Do you like getting screwed ?
Reply:Many great responses and I particularly like the ones advising you to charge at least half the cost of renting one elsewhere and your hourly rate factoring in your personal consumables. Relationship-wise should be irrelevant as I'm sure I am not the only one who has learned the hard way that mixing friends or family with business can go south quick.
Reply:Years ago my boss approached me wanting me to bring my portable in . I got my reg pay. I said I'm the only one that welds with it. When I leave for the day it goes home with me. They paid for all the fuel and an oil change. Rental of the machine was $100. A day . I used there consumables. If anything happened to the machine they we're responcable . Had no problems. After that day I used it several times on there nickel.
Reply:I may be incorrect but this seems to be a "one off" request and maybe not so legitimate given the thread starter has offered nothing else of support to the subject. The request at the original posting is/was very easy to decline and go on with life. Instead it is posted on the internet to rouse up combative responses serving no purpose. Typical of internet responses, the arrogance and belligerence is a real turn off to many reflecting negatively on the participants of which I'm singling none out. This type of responses and behavior have strong possibility of precluding someone with tangible and pertinent information to refrain from posting should the subject matter be of reasonable request. I don't think this one has merit at all.SlobPurveyor of intimate unparalleled knowledge of nothing about everything.Oh yeah, also an unabashed internet "Troll" too.....Originally Posted by SlobI may be incorrect but this seems to be a "one off" request and maybe not so legitimate given the thread starter has offered nothing else of support to the subject. The request at the original posting is/was very easy to decline and go on with life. Instead it is posted on the internet to rouse up combative responses serving no purpose. Typical of internet responses, the arrogance and belligerence is a real turn off to many reflecting negatively on the participants of which I'm singling none out. This type of responses and behavior have strong possibility of precluding someone with tangible and pertinent information to refrain from posting should the subject matter be of reasonable request. I don't think this one has merit at all.
Reply:Go with your gut feeling and charge what you thing is wright.
Reply:Originally Posted by ZTFabThe errant nature of this post presents a ubiquitous melancholy that permeates this thread like a malodorous carcass. The ability to opine based on the aforementioned subject matter is not idiosyncratically contrived but rather customarily appropriate for an open discussion. The hubris expressed in your post is substantiated by an inadequacy to accept a disparate perspective and awareness. Insinuating that the OP has maliciously presented this dilemma in a cunning attempt to elicit negative responses or entice combative behavior is nothing more than inherently false postulation. Relax...it's just the f&^*ing internet.
Reply:Originally Posted by ZTFabThe errant nature of this post presents a ubiquitous melancholy that permeates this thread like a malodorous carcass. The ability to opine based on the aforementioned subject matter is not idiosyncratically contrived but rather customarily appropriate for an open discussion. The hubris expressed in your post is substantiated by an inadequacy to accept a disparate perspective and awareness. Insinuating that the OP has maliciously presented this dilemma in a cunning attempt to elicit negative responses or entice combative behavior is nothing more than inherently false postulation. Relax...it's just the f&^*ing internet.
Reply:Originally Posted by ZTFabThe errant nature of this post presents a ubiquitous melancholy that permeates this thread like a malodorous carcass. The ability to opine based on the aforementioned subject matter is not idiosyncratically contrived but rather customarily appropriate for an open discussion. The hubris expressed in your post is substantiated by an inadequacy to accept a disparate perspective and awareness. Insinuating that the OP has maliciously presented this dilemma in a cunning attempt to elicit negative responses or entice combative behavior is nothing more than inherently false postulation. Relax...it's just the f&^*ing internet.
Reply:Originally Posted by Ian DuffinGood vocab ZTFab, gold star
Reply:Originally Posted by SlobGot yur goat as expected.Slob
Reply:Thanks everyone who has commented on my post, I have read all of your responses and comments, but the last few made me laugh :-D I posted Thursday night, worked 44hrs since in a sketchy cell reception area, I work for a small energy service company here and sometimes hours are long.As for my question, I have alot of good input from here, and my boss, he really doesn't know the capabilities of my personal machine, just that I have aluminum experience and capabilities.Thanks again as tomorrow will be another day in the field
Reply:Originally Posted by Randall_HThanks everyone who has commented on my post, I have read all of your responses and comments, but the last few made me laugh :-D I posted Thursday night, worked 44hrs since in a sketchy cell reception area, I work for a small energy service company here and sometimes hours are long.As for my question, I have alot of good input from here, and my boss, he really doesn't know the capabilities of my personal machine, just that I have aluminum experience and capabilities.Thanks again as tomorrow will be another day in the field
Reply:So he wants you to bring in your equipment to weld alum? Charge the hell out him.Weld like a "WELDOR", not a wel-"DERR" MillerDynasty700DX,Dynasty350DX4ea,Dynasty200DX,Li  ncolnSW200-2ea.,MillerMatic350P,MillerMatic200w/spoolgun,MKCobraMig260,Lincoln SP-170T,PlasmaCam/Hypertherm1250,HFProTig2ea,MigMax1ea.
Reply:Welder99 nailed it. On a jobsite accidents can happen that may damage your person, your property, or someone else s property, all which requires insurance. This is expensive, and I assume you don't have it and your boss does. If you are comfortable with a gentlemans agreement with your boss, put all the liability on him as welder99 pointed out, and charge a reasonable rent. $100 a day sounds fair (maybe more if your skill level merits it), but things may be different in your area. Originally Posted by welder99Years ago my boss approached me wanting me to bring my portable in . I got my reg pay. I said I'm the only one that welds with it. When I leave for the day it goes home with me. They paid for all the fuel and an oil change. Rental of the machine was $100. A day . I used there consumables. If anything happened to the machine they we're responcable . Had no problems. After that day I used it several times on there nickel.
Reply:Through out the 1980's and early 90s I worked for wages and rented this machine to the contractors I was working for by the month. I think I charged $675.00 a month. The contractor paid for everything, fuel, consumables, etc. Attached ImagesDon’t pay any attention to meI’m just a hobbyist!CarlDynasty 300V350-Pro w/pulseSG Spool gun1937 IdealArc-300PowerArc 200ST3 SA-200sVantage 400