Slide Show of my lates project.

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I built the foot bridge for this house. Now I'm building the patio and pool fence.Last edited by TPnTX; 12-20-2005 at 08:38 PM.
Reply:Very nice work!
Reply:real nice,,,
Reply:Nice job!  Did you get those items powdercoated?- "If ya can't be handsome, ya may as well be handy!"   HTP Invertig 201Lincoln Power Mig 255CLincoln SP125+Thermal Dynamics Cutmaster 38
Reply:Thanks. This is my 1st fence.yeah, not the bridge though. I wish I had. I didn't know powder coating was so inexpensive. Around 2.50/ft for the 4' sections. Actually I just found another place that will do it for 2.00/ft. Next job I'll use them.
Reply:Nice job- damn I'd like that house too! Mind me askin what you charged for that entire job?
Reply:yeah that came out to about 5300.00
Reply:Nice work.  If you do have anything powder coated, then check it out thoroughly.  It is difficult to powder coat into corners and intricate detail.  Also, that is a good price, we pay $2.50/sqft around here.  Also check the price of sandblasting before coating.Last edited by tapwelder; 12-23-2005 at 10:21 AM.
Reply:tapwelder do you do a lot of this type stuff?I was at the Powder Coat place this morning picking up the rest of the fence panels. This guy has a pretty big operation and he does a lot of work. I check out other peoples work while I'm there and I see a lot of really cool stuff. Very creative and extensive ornamental welding. However, I see a lot of poor quality at least in the detail. Grinder marks for example. Or a gate like the ones I made for the patio, You'll see the weld or grinder marks in the corners. On those two gates I made, You cannot find the weld on the surface. You can in the corners but not on the front or back sides of the gate. And it didn't take that long  either using a flap wheel. I hit it 1st with a 60. Then finished it off with a 120.Some accuse me of being a perfectionist but clearly I'm a flawed individual.   Regardless I don't see how people can let that stuff go out the door much less a customer being happy with it.I've got to find a better way of hauling this stuff after Powder coating. Laying the flat on the trailer with cardboard isn't working. I scuffs it up too much.
Reply:YeahI do a lot of ornamental iron work.  80 percent of my business is decorative guard/step rails.  Been doing it for 7 years, 4 of those years full time--the first 3 years were summers only. In the past four years, we have been really blessed with a lot of repeat, referral business and some on-going contracts .  It always amazes me when I get a call from somebody to whom I gave a card 5 years ago.   I know what you are talking about concerning quality.  I was in a neighborhood looking at competitors rail.  They used a tubular cap with a lambs tongue.  They didn't even bother to grind the weld between the cap and lambs tongue, it was not an accident because both sides were done this way.  However, I have learned that I have to meet the quality demand, too. Excessive grinder marks is lazy, though knowing when to grind and when not to grind is wise.  Finding ways to hide weld is important, thus eliminating grinding and increasing speed and getting paid.  Every rail that I do is not art,  much is "cookie cutter" stuff for contractors.  Hence, they usually want it yesterday and they usually they "...just want it done".  My goal with contractors is competitive quality(they pay competitive wage)  and great service( speed, do what I say I am going to do and meet dead lines).  With direct home owners I do top quality work, I get to have fun, be creative, bring their vision to reality, and make more money, still offer great service.    I recently purchased some 4X8 styrofoam insulating sheets.  They work well if you cut them then sandwich them between your fence panels.www.nomma.org has some really good educational videos.  If you order from them then make sure the video is educational and not a seminar.  The seminars are informative but you are watching a speech.  Educational videos take you through the building process.Last edited by tapwelder; 12-23-2005 at 07:13 PM.
Reply:thanks for the info!The foam sheets is a good idea. I was actually looking at them the other day.Well I really like doing this stuff. I sort of fell into my lap and I didn't really know until I began how much I'd like it. Now I can't drive down the road without looking at fences and gates. I almost ran into the car stopping in front of me the other day looking at a fence. (note to self....stop that)I bought a 110v Hobart140 so that I could run it off my gas welder/generator.  I don't have sufficient power to my shop. (barn). As soon as I can I'm going to run a new 220 to the barn. Until then the 140 seems to do fine on this small stuff. I did upgrade to a #3 bottle. I think I'm going to use the arc welder to tie all the pieces in to the fence.  Here is why.My MIG welder does fine indoors. But you get outside on a breezy day and you end up having to use fluxcore. I can weld better with my arc welder that the wire flux.How do you tie panels into the posts? Do you sand the joint clean of powdercoating, weld and re-paint with a rattle can?
Reply:i build alot of ornamental iron fence and gates. i use a sleeve on my fence panels slide it over the runners then fit the panel slide the sleeve up flush and weld , i welde right through the powder come back with a steel brush then spay paint the sleeve and the welds  works fine. btw here in memphis my powder coater charges 4 bucks a foot for 4 ft fence 5 bucks for 5 ft  kinda pricy but still beats paint
Reply:Like Tnt said use sleeves whenever possible.  Sometimes it is difficult to perfectly fit a rail between two columns, thus sleeves allows you to cut shorter.  I use prefabbed fittings whenever possible.  I buy them in by the gross.  I use to fabricate everything including hinges, though that takes too too too long.  It is worth buying common fitting in bulk.I use to use a 100amp wirefeeder (fluxcore) for installation.  Last year I switched to all stick.  I bought a Themoarc dragster stick/tig, weighs 7lbs.  90 amps plenty for most installation.  I also run off 110v/15amp.  Retired my gen/welder replaced it with a 150amp Zena underhood welder, used for remote locations.  Also, I use an inverter for power tools.  I use onsite household current whenever possible.  I do more rail than fence, however--I am usaually not far from an outlet.        Your powder coater should be able to give you a spray can that will match your finish.  If the coating is good then you will have a difficult time starting an arc through the coating.  Carry a file to knock some of the coating off.  The coating fittings to be tight you might want to check/adjust before you are installing.
Reply:I guess you use fittings tieing into walls as well. I welded tabs on the ends of the 1" on that patio and ancored them in. I'm not happy with how it turned out. I may come back and redo them. We'll see.So I'm thinking right considering using my gas stick welder for the posts. I've got a pretty good setup I think. I need to get some pics. I got a 4x8 trailer and installed a pickup bed took box up front. I mounted the Lincoln Power Arc welder to the floor and made a rack for the Ac\Oxy bottles. So it's completely self contained. I pull it with my ATV. When I go to a job, I pull the whole rig upon a 16' flat bed. When I get to the Job I just back it off the trailer and can get virtually anywhere.  I've done this several times. Mostly installing SLIDING GATES for board on board fences.The real reason for making this rig was to do the PIPE RAILat my place. Back then I had an 8-5 job so this was my evening and weekend quick setup. Little did I know I'd end up doing it for a living.
Reply:thats a lot of pipe
Reply:You do good work.  Who is your parts supplier.  I use King Architectural Metal , they are in Texas.  Been satisfied with them.  What year is your Power Arc? What engine do you have?  I have one also, 1994 briggs?  I don't use it anymore It works but has a scatched cylinder wall, thus smokes a little.  Check the oil frequently and change it regularly.
Reply:comp ur right that is a lot of pipe but that ain't all. I got my catch pen, corral done also. If I had more pipe I'd keep going. I ran out of pipe$$$.My power arc year model is a 2000 I think. Its the 4000 series and has a 8hp briggs. It's really a good welder. I don't compare it to a DC because I've never used one.It makes a great generator too. Like I said I run my 110 mig off it full time.  Speaking of mig, the 140 I got using.024 wire is not bad. People tell me that once I use a 220v I won't like it anymore. I'm looking forward that because as it stands I'm pleased. My welds are getting better and better.Anyway gotta go. I'll get some pics of my ATV welding rig in action next week. People really take notice of it going down the highway on the flatbed.
Reply:Oh yeah I use King also. They are about 20 mikes away in Dallas.
Reply:Check out TRIPLE-S STEEL SUPPLY  CO. They have a great catalog that includes prices. They're in TX and TN . Wish CA.
Reply:I'm really stoked. The contractor told me last night that the fence is awesome. He said the home owner commented on how meticulous I am and that he's very pleased.So it looks like I get the next job for this contractor. 200' of 6' ornamental fence. Thats great. I'm excited! I don't know how to do one! Not really I can figure it out but I thought I'd ask a few questions (tapwelder) There is one down the street I'm going to go look at today and use it as a model but...Would you set all the posts and then fab the panels to fit between them? I heard someome say once that they only pre-set every other post and the one's remaining are part of each panel.
Reply:Congratulations, that is awsome.I  prefer  presetting every post, plumb and evenly spaced.  I like to keep operations seperate.  So when I come to hang panels I will simply hang panels and not dig holes.  Setting post first will help you plan spacing.presetting every other post with one post on the panel is confusing?  Having one on each panel would work then setting all post as you install, while leaning one panel against the previous. I have never done this.      Are you buying the panels or building them? Depending on the design, you might want to consider buying the panel?
Reply:Our technique, when setting a bunch of fence, is to build the first panel with two posts then all the rest with one post. We dig the holes as we go and make sure the panel is good and solid before we pour. I usually drive some junk pik mat in the hole at an angle and weld it to the post and then tack a brace to the panel to keep it solid
Reply:I definitely want to think this one through and weight my options before beginning. If I where to set all posts and then insert the panels:-probably have to deal with the "on grade" issues. Not having a lot of experience I tend to be cautious and I would make each post taller than needed and trim to the proper height later.- You have to build each horz. member longer and cut to fit. requiring a lot of level/squaring on site.- increases the # of welds on site. More messy flux welding and painting.vs.Building the panels with one post.- requires a little more effort to erect. Once in place you have to brace it until it sets. (a 6' post might need to be braced anyway)...more later I gotta go wife's calling. I'm having a harder time comming up with the cons for the latter.-
Reply:Yeah, seems like the one post per panel might have some advantages.  I might try that next time.  I guess also weld your bracket on the free end and clamp it to the previous post prior to welding.Though the things that are most important when installing the fence is: get every panel in line, all post plumb, and spacing between post visibly equal.  Those are the things clients can really notice or somebody will point out to them.  Looking at a fence where all post are 6 feet apart except the one at the corner, which has two pickets between posts, it tacky and will jump out at client and contractors.  I'd use a stick welder to install 200 feet of fence.
Reply:okay the Mrs. is now watching some lifetime channel thing.  So I got 6 or so hours to myself Thats a good point about the last panel. Best to blend it in. So if you go with the attached posts, you'll have to have temporary posts evey so many feet to run you line.I don't see a real disadvantage to tacking a brace into each section. I could build 5 or 6 panels and try it out.Hmmm, I wonder what Harvman would do? Yep, I need a big spot light that can be seen from Wylie Texas. It makes an image when shined into the sky that says "Life Is Good"When he sees it, he'll throw down his plasma cutter and rush to the PC.  Oh sorry....I got carried away. Harv, Sir, can I get your opinion please.just saw this thread....  great work Tx!IF it Catches...Let it Burn
Reply:Hey TPnTX, excellent work. Good job.BTW how fast can you turn out those bridges?? Folks in California are needing them!!!!!!!!!!!!   Maybe a little longer than that one.
Reply:Why whats going on there?
Reply:Here are some more pics of the current job.
Reply:Originally Posted by TPnTXokay the Mrs. is now watching some lifetime channel thing.  So I got 6 or so hours to myself Thats a good point about the last panel. Best to blend it in. So if you go with the attached posts, you'll have to have temporary posts evey so many feet to run you line.I don't see a real disadvantage to tacking a brace into each section. I could build 5 or 6 panels and try it out.Hmmm, I wonder what Harvman would do? Yep, I need a big spot light that can be seen from Wylie Texas. It makes an image when shined into the sky that says "Life Is Good"When he sees it, he'll throw down his plasma cutter and rush to the PC.  Oh sorry....I got carried away. Harv, Sir, can I get your opinion please.
Reply:Originally Posted by TPnTXWhy whats going on there?
Reply:Insurance is a lot cheaper if you only do fencing and railing, about 800/yr for 1/2 million coverage.  Don't even think about working on a trailer if you want to keep insurance cost down. Got to go to an agent who will search for the proper category (ornamental ironworker).  Many agents will simply search for welder and charge accordingly. Thanks for the info Harv.
Reply:Thanks Harv for your excellent insight. I'm rather encouraged by this honestly.Welding the panels for this job gave me a lot to think about and a lot of time to think about it. It provided much needed weld time and practice. I gained considerably in terms the quality of MIG welding. I worked day and night to get it done. I was building the last of the panels Christmas morning.I put a lot of thought into finding someone who will do this for me the way I want it done at a price I can afford. Then I could focus on installation and selling. I came up short of ideas and clearly the manfactured panels are a better choice. A local business owner showed me the panels he bought from Home Depot. I wasn't too impressed but I was also being a bit biased. After all I'd just finished cutting over 500 1/2 pickets. I later saw the same panels on the loading dock of King Metals. It's the cheapo kind where the spears of each pickett are pressed. That opened my mind to some degree accepting the notion.The first 4 or 5 sections of this fence I put up using my arc welder. I convinced myself I was better at stick than wire and that flux-core was just as messy require equal amount of post weld labor. Well as you can imagine it didn't take long chipping away at the slag while starring at my wire welder to change my mind. Once I started with the wire, things began to pick up.I already had my dolly setup like Harv mentioned. I just took a cheap dolly with inflatable tires and modified it to carry not only the welder but the #2 bottle. I didn't have to use it this time but but if needed my arc welder easily powers the 140 Hobart 110v. The biggest pain is the lack of reach you have with the 10' hose and cables. Still the welds look excellent. To the extent that I went back to the arc welds and pretty'd them up to try and match.oh and Sandy. I knew you where joking I just didn't know about what. I turned on the TV and found out pretty quickly. Hey thats our rain send it back down here.Last edited by TPnTX; 01-02-2006 at 10:25 AM.
Reply:I meant to acknowlede something else Harv pointed out. The competition...Once things change to the point that all you need is a 110v welder and a wire brush, the advantage of having proper equipment will vanish. One of the things that sets welding apart from other services. Good info...thanks again.
Reply:Originally Posted by TPnTXI meant to acknowlede something else Harv pointed out. The competition...Once things change to the point that all you need is a 110v welder and a wire brush, the advantage of having proper equipment will vanish. One of the things that sets welding apart from other services. Good info...thanks again.
Reply:Guys, don't worry . There is only so much you can do with those mass manufactured fences. I do alot of custom railings, fences, and gates too. There will always be people out there wanting unique, custom made railings. I just tell my customers you always get what you pay for . People are always asking me If I can make them a trailer so they can start a landscaping buisiness. I tell them sure . But when the see my prices they say "how come so much? Home depot has them for 500 bucks" I simply tell them 1. Either you pay now for a quality trailer custom made to your exact specifications and be done with it or 2. You get a cheap one that you probably want modified later or it rusts and falls apart after very little use. Either way I get their business. I just like to be as honest as can be .  When you take pride in your work , people always see it , will pay for it , and will tell others about you. Profit margins may be higher if you install those cheap fences but not for long if you want to stay in business. Just my thoughts.Johnny
Reply:Tom,  Have you seen ole Harv's website?  If you aint you ought to.  I know you obviously are a believer in the man, but once you see the pictures...pictures dont lie...well some can...but these wont.  The pictures tell the whole truth and nothing but the truth.  I had been told for the longest time, upill is too danged slow for building fences and such.  Always weld it downhill.  But you know they would sag.  Looked crappy.  Could do a lot wiht a torch, but now thats extra time and labor.  And gas costs.  Ole Harv posted once ona  forum,  weld them uphill,  like ona  round pipe fence.  Well I sat there and thought, wtf why dint I think of this alng time ago.  The time it takes to weld it uphill once is much less and costs less than to do it down, then make the repair.   And it wont sag none.  If youre wanting to impress your customrers, which in this craft is what its all about your service, you gotta make it look better than any one else or they will just hire out to dinkhead down the street whose using a hobby fluxcore run off your 115V electrical   oh well, its the lil things we do that keep us bringing home the money and feeling good about what were doingIF it Catches...Let it Burn