Wages for this job?

admin

Im looking at getting a guy to help me do some welding. I have a job to build some large custom goosneck trailers. I would like to know what would be a proper wage, or atleast ballpark. What im gonna do is build during the week and then have this person come in one day during the weekend and weld all day.Heres the conditions. Location is Texas if that makes any difference.Mig welding.All he has to do is walk in the shop and weld. My welders, helmets, gloves, whatever is needed.Nothing structural really, I'll do the welding on the neck etc.No fitting, everything will be tacked together already. Why Im even asking is because it will be on the weekend and I don't really know how much difference that makes. What do you think?
Reply:This is an infinite question, kinda like what came first, chicken or egg??..... If the guy is really good, he will be jumping your project like a monkey, and he will mig it up faster than you can fit it up. He may very well be capable of helping you prep and set up, fit parts. I would have to guess that he is going to want $200-300 cash a day. If he can't jump all over your stuff like a monkey, and make good welds in a decent time frame, then honestly, you don't want him doing the welds. BECAUSE.... If you pay him $100 a day, and he does a decent job, but YOU have to grind off dozens of overloaded nasty looking welds, or worse, re-weld a bunch of it, then you are losing money even though he will cost you less. You already know, if you have to train him to weld, you are going to invest a lot of hours into the whole gig you really don't want to bog you down with.And then, after so much work...... you have it in your hand, and you look over to your side...... and the runner has run off. Leaving you holding the prize, wondering when the runner will return.
Reply:250$ 300$ for a day, if you know he can weld and do it correctly. Provided your not trying to get more out of him than you would give your self during the days work.Miller Thunderbolt 225Millermatic 130 XPLincoln HD 100 Forney C-5bt Arc welderPlasma Cutter Gianteach Cut40ACent Machinery Bandsaw Cent Machinery 16Speed Drill PressChicago Electric 130amp tig/90 ArcHobart 190 Mig spoolgun ready
Reply:Chad,Maybe a better question would be "Am I ready to start building large custom gooseneck trailers?"I've followed your postings (all 100+) of them and, quite frankly, based on the questions you've asked, it doesn't seem that you have the experience to be taking on such a job.When a guy comes on a message board and asks what machine is capable of welding 3/8" steel, it tells me that guy isn't ready for this type of project.You make the comment that nothing this "contract welder" will be doing is "structural".  That's just plain BS.  Everything to do with building a "large gooseneck trailer" is critical.  We're not talking about lawn ornaments here, we're talking about something that will go on the highway and potentially kill someone if not constructed properly.I've PM'd you and quite frankly, got a smart azz answer back.  You ask a "LOT" of questions which could be answered by a simple search or a little homework on your part.  In fact, most of the questions seem to come from left field.It scares the hell out of me to think that someone with "little experience" with a particular process (MIG) is going into the business of building "large custom gooseneck trailers".You may wish to PM Dabar39 over on the Miller board.  Dave is a "professional trailer builder" who may be able to shed additional light on the subject.Syncro 250 DX Dynasty 200 DXMM 251 w/30A SG XMT 304 w/714 Feeder & Optima PulserHH187Dialarc 250 AC/DCHypertherm PM 1250Smith, Harris, Victor O/ASmith and Thermco Gas MixersAccess to a full fab shop with CNC Plasma, Water Jet, etc.
Reply:Originally Posted by chadwickz71Im looking at getting a guy to help me do some welding. I have a job to build some large custom goosneck trailers. I would like to know what would be a proper wage, or atleast ballpark. What im gonna do is build during the week and then have this person come in one day during the weekend and weld all day.Heres the conditions. Location is Texas if that makes any difference.Mig welding.All he has to do is walk in the shop and weld. My welders, helmets, gloves, whatever is needed.Nothing structural really, I'll do the welding on the neck etc.No fitting, everything will be tacked together already. Why Im even asking is because it will be on the weekend and I don't really know how much difference that makes. What do you think?
Reply:Originally Posted by SundownIIIChad,Maybe a better question would be "Am I ready to start building large custom gooseneck trailers?"I've followed your postings (all 100+) of them and, quite frankly, based on the questions you've asked, it doesn't seem that you have the experience to be taking on such a job.When a guy comes on a message board and asks what machine is capable of welding 3/8" steel, it tells me that guy isn't ready for this type of project.You make the comment that nothing this "contract welder" will be doing is "structural".  That's just plain BS.  Everything to do with building a "large gooseneck trailer" is critical.  We're not talking about lawn ornaments here, we're talking about something that will go on the highway and potentially kill someone if not constructed properly.I've PM'd you and quite frankly, got a smart azz answer back.  You ask a "LOT" of questions which could be answered by a simple search or a little homework on your part.  In fact, most of the questions seem to come from left field.It scares the hell out of me to think that someone with "little experience" with a particular process (MIG) is going into the business of building "large custom gooseneck trailers".You may wish to PM Dabar39 over on the Miller board.  Dave is a "professional trailer builder" who may be able to shed additional light on the subject.
Reply:Looks like a bunch of idiots running around looking for a fight.Come'on now dont' take the "Structural" word so seriously. I've seen hundreads of 16ft's, gooseneck and 48ft step deck trailers that have cross memebers just welded on one side.  Thats Fruehauf, Aztec, Pro-trac, etc. No you don't see any welding done on the necks etc thats just done on one side. As yes i know "everythings structural" bla bla bla  But ok go to a trailer manufacture. There will be some pretty talented guys doing the "important stuff, Neck, frame" Then there will be some people that are just going around the cross members and "License plate holders if you will" and tieing them together with a little 210 Mig.Sundown wrote this. "To be honest, all these questions make you sound like a kid whose parents just gave him a few thousand dollars to go buy some welding equipment (not that he had any idea about how he was going to use it)."So yeah when you say something like that Im gonna comeback with a what you call a "smart azz" answer.   And yes I still feel like you need to get laid maybe once in your life and you probably will relax.
Reply:Originally Posted by chadwickz71Looks like a bunch of idiots running around looking for a fight.Come'on now dont' take the "Structural" word so seriously. I've seen hundreads of 16ft's, gooseneck and 48ft step deck trailers that have cross memebers just welded on one side.  Thats Fruehauf, Aztec, Pro-trac, etc. No you don't see any welding done on the necks etc thats just done on one side. As yes i know "everythings structural" bla bla bla  But ok go to a trailer manufacture. There will be some pretty talented guys doing the "important stuff, Neck, frame" Then there will be some people that are just going around the cross members and "License plate holders if you will" and tieing them together with a little 210 Mig.Sundown wrote this. "To be honest, all these questions make you sound like a kid whose parents just gave him a few thousand dollars to go buy some welding equipment (not that he had any idea about how he was going to use it)."So yeah when you say something like that Im gonna comeback with a what you call a "smart azz" answer.   And yes I still feel like you need to get laid maybe once in your life and you probably will relax.
Reply:Chad,I don't know that I'll ever be able to "relax" as long as there are "TOTALLY UNQUALIFIED" people running around "THINKING" they can build "large custom goosneck(SP) trailers".As a "Registered Professional Engineer" safety has always been foremost in my mind.Syncro 250 DX Dynasty 200 DXMM 251 w/30A SG XMT 304 w/714 Feeder & Optima PulserHH187Dialarc 250 AC/DCHypertherm PM 1250Smith, Harris, Victor O/ASmith and Thermco Gas MixersAccess to a full fab shop with CNC Plasma, Water Jet, etc.
Reply:Originally Posted by chadwickz71Looks like a bunch of idiots running around looking for a fight.And yes I still feel like you need to get laid maybe once in your life and you probably will relax.
Reply:someone wants to throw flack and then everyone acts like im wrong for pokin'n a little fun back...
Reply:before everyone starts throwing titles around(or anymore) lets just drop it.
Reply:Originally Posted by chadwickz71someone wants to throw flack and then everyone acts like im wrong for pokin'n a little fun back...
Reply:My question is if you hire a welder including a welding student who can run a decent weld bead,  will that person know to alternate welding on one side and then the other side and weld towards corner joints, inside corners first or outside corners? That kind of thing.AWS certified welding inspectorAWS certified welder
Reply:La weld, I don't see the fun in people coming along completly off topic and scewing up my post completely, and then on top of that telling me i don't know what im talking about...
Reply:From now on, anyone that wants to talk off topic then the thread, send me a pm.If you would like to contribute to the TOPIC, by all means go ahead.Donald, I see what your saying, but what i'll have them doing is basically busy work. Yeah you have to learn it once but after that the next one is the exact same. Like welding a cross member down. Once you done one the next 30 are the same project.
Reply:Lets Get Real!I have been welding for about 15 years and consider myself a "fair" welder.I do not feel I would be competent to build/weld a gooseneck trailer for someone else.Keep in mind goosnecks are usually abused and overloaded many times.Again, as stated, this is not a welding table project.Heck I am looking for a utility trailer for the past few weeks and will not buy a :home built" and will only buy certain brands.Also. today, unless your are a large trailer manufacturer, it is almost impossible to build a "QUALITY SAFE TRAILER" with the cost of steel today, others may disagree.  Even the large manufacturers I have been looking at have dropped a gauge on some of the steel vs. last year.Just my thoughts!JohnLast edited by JOHN1; 08-16-2008 at 03:13 PM.
Reply:$ 10.00/hr. cash max.Tim Beeker.
Reply:Chad,Your attitude and inexperience (based on your 100+ posts (mostly questions)) should scare the hell out of anyone who considers themselves a professional welder.You've already gotten advice from Dabar39 (who is a licensed trailer manufacturer).  You have chosen to ignore it.Don't expect an expert to give how to instructions to an otherwise unqualified person to perform a function (trailer manufacturing) far beyond your demonstrated level of proficiency.Anyone who has to ask an internet board which welder to buy to weld 3/8" mild steel probably shouldn't be welding on a wheelbarrow, much less a "large custom goosneck(SP) trailer".You may think I'm being rude (that's OK with me).  I'm just being honest.Syncro 250 DX Dynasty 200 DXMM 251 w/30A SG XMT 304 w/714 Feeder & Optima PulserHH187Dialarc 250 AC/DCHypertherm PM 1250Smith, Harris, Victor O/ASmith and Thermco Gas MixersAccess to a full fab shop with CNC Plasma, Water Jet, etc.
Reply:Originally Posted by chadwickz71La weld, I don't see the fun in people coming along completly off topic and scewing up my post completely, and then on top of that telling me i don't know what im talking about...
Reply:does the seller id look like anything you've seen before?Last edited by Burnit; 08-16-2008 at 06:04 PM.Reason: Link to E-Bay item deleted at the request of the O.P.
Reply:man, failed to complete the transaction and blamed his lack of funds on the economy.
Reply:After he forfeited I just went ahead and matched the paint job on my truck.
Reply:If I was going into business with little experience I would get   welds inspected and if they are good then I would go into business. No need to have 20 years expereince if your welds are good and inspected and the trailer are built to enginered spec. Like someone already said "a good weld is a good weld" no matter who does it.This is from an inexpereienced newbie welder so sek advice from an authroity on the subject this is not advice..Side note I made a little extra cash welding for a person yesterday and I may get it framed for now I settled on a picture my wife took of me holding the BILL with a big chezzy smike,, I would have done it for free but she insisted.Last edited by goodoleboy; 08-16-2008 at 03:51 PM.
Reply:All this was done by the guy that doesn't know anything according to people on this forum.goodoleboy, thanks for the reply.
Reply:We talking about "building a trailer" or "selling a trailer".Just because a guy's got a nice Viking Sportfisherman for sale, doesn't mean he's qualified to build one.Good luck on getting the asking price for that rig.  What happened?  Did you find out that the "concession business" was not as profitable as you had envisioned.Syncro 250 DX Dynasty 200 DXMM 251 w/30A SG XMT 304 w/714 Feeder & Optima PulserHH187Dialarc 250 AC/DCHypertherm PM 1250Smith, Harris, Victor O/ASmith and Thermco Gas MixersAccess to a full fab shop with CNC Plasma, Water Jet, etc.
Reply:Sundown, your an idiot. You make a big deal and say i don't know what im talking about. So I show you some of my work. Now you don't have anything to rag about so you start ragging on somthing other then welding.Like I said I built this for a person who came to me with a drawing. I don't cater, i just built it for him. whats next, "Oh I don't like the color" or "Its to big"Get real man.
Reply:Im gonna email a moderator and try to get this thread deleted. Its pretty sad really, and makes the forum look bad which it is not.
Reply:So, did you get your answer to the original question?Tim Beeker.
Reply:Sadly enough, I have gotten maybe a couple people to stay on topic.  Judging by what they have said $12 min and $20 max for working on weekend.  Thats a big range but it is a broad topic really, and I understand that.I'll probably shoot for $15 and go as high as $20 just because the work won't be hard just very boring for lack of a better word.Goodoleboy, I noticed you edited your post. I still agree with you completely.  I don't care about titles and experience really. I want to see how the person works and what his production is.  Its ok if my welds or his don't look like something a machine did.  If its a good sound bead go with it.
Reply:Originally Posted by chadwickz71Im gonna email a moderator and try to get this thread deleted. Its pretty sad really, and makes the forum look bad which it is not.
Reply:Originally Posted by chadwickz71Sadly enough, I have gotten maybe a couple people to stay on topic.  Judging by what they have said $12 min and $20 max for working on weekend.  Thats a big range but it is a broad topic really, and I understand that.I'll probably shoot for $15 and go as high as $20 just because the work won't be hard just very boring for lack of a better word.Goodoleboy, I noticed you edited your post. I still agree with you completely.  I don't care about titles and experience really. I want to see how the person works and what his production is.  Its ok if my welds or his don't look like something a machine did.  If its a good sound bead go with it.
Reply:Originally Posted by SundownIIIChad,Your attitude and inexperience (based on your 100+ posts (mostly questions)) should scare the hell out of anyone who considers themselves a professional welder.You've already gotten advice from Dabar39 (who is a licensed trailer manufacturer).  You have chosen to ignore it.Don't expect an expert to give how to instructions to an otherwise unqualified person to perform a function (trailer manufacturing) far beyond your demonstrated level of proficiency.Anyone who has to ask an internet board which welder to buy to weld 3/8" mild steel probably shouldn't be welding on a wheelbarrow, much less a "large custom goosneck(SP) trailer".You may think I'm being rude (that's OK with me).  I'm just being honest.
Reply:Attack thread, thats probably the best way to put it. Useless, waste of everyones time. Im the author and fully give the moderator the go-ahead to pull out his gun and smoke this thread.  I just wish he'd do it to a few of these rude members also.
Reply:If you are supplying everything, and you had a good hand, i would say that he deserves 30 an hour. Depending on the size of the trailers, I could probably sew 1 together per day. That would be well worth it to you, wouldn't it? Of course, I would ask for a grand per 10 hour day............Aws:  SMAW d1.1 , d1.5, b31.3 , 1104
Reply:Originally Posted by chadwickz71Attack thread, thats probably the best way to put it. Useless, waste of everyones time. Im the author and fully give the moderator the go-ahead to pull out his gun and smoke this thread.  I just wish he'd do it to a few of these rude members also.
Reply:Here is some lines."Good luck on getting the asking price for that rig. What happened? Did you find out that the "concession business" was not as profitable as you had envisioned."OFF TOPIC"doesn't seem that you have the experience to be taking on such a job."I tried to prove it by showing my work"I'm with Sundown. The question of what welder is capable of welding 3/8" shows a lack of experience. I just looked my big gooseneck over and didn't see any welds that were not structural. OK the one holding the license plate bracket wasn't."Off topic and misunderstanding of my definition of structural"To me it sounds like a fool looking for a lawsuit"Don't even have to explain that comment"Ill end this bump with. If you have to ask how much you can't afford it!"Do you call that advise"I don't know that I'll ever be able to "relax" as long as there are "TOTALLY UNQUALIFIED" people running around "THINKING" they can build "large custom goosneck(SP) trailers"."Direct punch at me"Your attitude and inexperience (based on your 100+ posts (mostly questions)) should scare the hell out of anyone who considers themselves a professional welder."Theres another right cross or uppercut"Anyone who has to ask an internet board which welder to buy to weld 3/8" mild steel probably shouldn't be welding on a wheelbarrow, much less a "large custom goosneck(SP) trailer"."Another dumb jab
Reply:This was just pm'd to me by sundown. Looks like I have been warned I guess. """"Chad,Do not EVER call me an idiot on a message board. You may not like what I've got to say but the name calling will not be tolerated.You know not of who you're fuc(ing with.Only warning!!!""""
Reply:You know, that's exactly it,,,,,   that's why an open forum like this is so great, guys in the business have the opportunity to spot and comment on things the OP never even considered.  Myself, I see the pic of the trailer the op put up, that he supposedly built  ......  ooooohhhhh,,,, pretty .....    but then I go back and read the previous questions and posts in his history (the history will get you every time) .....   uhhhh,,,,,  no way I'd buy that now, IF in fact he did build it himself.  UNDERSTAND,,,,,,   absolutely NOTHING wrong with any question you ever asked (talking to the OP here), BUT,,,,,,,      it does give many here a reference as to exactly what skill level and knowledge and competence we're dealing with.   Some of the other guys, came in with comments, "maybe you need a little more seasoning and experience before taking on a job like this, BY YOURSELF, without an engineer and company resources backing you up......."Something wrong with that??????????????????If you want some nice touchy-feely comments, feel-good stuff, mebbe look up Martha Stewart, I'm sure she has a forum somewhere, and no doubt they are big on self-esteem over there, whereever it is.  Edit ....  Uhhhhh,,, I see much that happened since I started this post, just can't type that fast, my opening sentence referred to Burnit's post .....Last edited by mark8310; 08-16-2008 at 05:46 PM.
Reply:ok im done... wasted enough of my day already.
Reply:Thread locked.  I seen enoughDavid Real world weldin.  When I grow up I want to be a tig weldor.