What should I expect to pay for getting this welded?

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Hello all.I need to get a plug welded onto the end of a stainless steel pipe. The pipe will be 24" long, 2.5" in diameter. I will provide the pipe and the rouns plug that will be inside the tube. I need this welded in place so it will hold 2000 degree salt.Since I Don't have a TIG I will need to hire the job out to someone.I am in Dallas and am curious what I should expect to pay for this. I want to be fair but don't want to get ripped off either.
Reply:Unless there is some special reason for it to be TIGged it would be cheaper to have someone weld it up with stick electrode.  They would charge you around a buck for the stainless rod and minimum shop charge for the weld.  Most shops charge a minimum of 1/4 hour in this area.
Reply:I would say 15.00....not bad for about 5 minutes of work
Reply:I just assumed TIG. As long as it does not let 2000 degree salt leak out all over my shop I don't care if it is super glued.I guess I will just tell them is MUST not leak and let them choose the process they want.
Reply:not that it's relevant,... but what is the molten salt for..?
Reply:Being that Bob is a knifemaker my choice, would be that he uses molten salt in his heat treatment of his knives.My choice of weld process for the job would be stick. Bob,given that you have a reasonable stick welder and are competent you should be able to perform the task your self.Your effort at your trip hammer indicates that you a more than  a reasonable welder. The photos appear to show a vertical weld but they were a bit off focus and my eyesight is not what it once was.The only small problem is match the metallurgy of the pipe to the electrode. Using salt you may have an intergrannular corrosion problem ( in time ) if they are mismatched.Your fear of molten salt on the lose would not be umgrounded in that case. If you are able to run a bead with out any slag inclusions you should not have any problems.The fitting and machinist section at the college where I taught did molten salt heat treatment.from memory,the grade of stainless was a special one to suit that process as was the rods to weld it with.You might be able to get a local welding shop to sell a few of thge correct grae of electrode , rather than purchasing an entire packet.Those are my thoughts on it.I hope it helpsregards Aussie GrahameLast edited by Grahame; 09-15-2006 at 07:48 AM.
Reply:Wow, learn new things here every day. Didn't know molten salt could be used for heat treating... Would like more info.MY guess was that for some reason you wanted to electrolize the salt to rid it of the chlorine, leaving pure sodium (which can be LOTS of fun).
Reply:i do small stuff like that for free..then next time they come back .... ...zap!I am not completely insane..Some parts are missing Professional Driver on a closed course....Do not attempt.Just because I'm a  dumbass don't mean that you can be too.So DON'T try any of this **** l do at home.
Reply:After all, it's just a "five-minute job," right?
Reply:naaaaaaaa i give that one 10 mins.. ...zap!I am not completely insane..Some parts are missing Professional Driver on a closed course....Do not attempt.Just because I'm a  dumbass don't mean that you can be too.So DON'T try any of this **** l do at home.
Reply:Find a welding shop that does stainless, stick, TIG or MIG.  Take a six-pack of good beer with you.  Chat the guy up and tell him what you're doing, engage his enthusiasm.  Mention off-hand that you have some beer that you need help with.  I'll wager that if you find the right weldor, it won't cost you a cent.-Heath
Reply:If its Heniken..then you have a deal.. that will work every time.. ...zap!I am not completely insane..Some parts are missing Professional Driver on a closed course....Do not attempt.Just because I'm a  dumbass don't mean that you can be too.So DON'T try any of this **** l do at home.
Reply:Here is a little more info on what I am doing. Aussie is correct it is for heat treating knives.I am building a propane fired firebox capable of around 2400 degrees. I will place a stainless tube (tank) in from the top and it will be completely encased inside the firebox. There will be a thrermocouple attached to a digital controller that will open and close a gas solenoid when the fire reaches its max or minimum temp setting. I will be able to keep the salt at ab out a 10 degree range of my desired temp of about 1550 degrees depending on the steel.I will make one of these and another one that uses electric to heat around 400-450 degrees for low temp salts like blueing salts.The salt is a special salt that melts at around 1200 degrees into a liquid. It is VERY dangerous if you do not know what you are doing as even though the salt appears dry like table salt, there is still water in it. You have to bake the water out and then add it to your tank and heat up to melting temp.  ANY water like a drip of sweat can cause an explosion because the salt reacts violently to water, even to rust on steel because there is water in it.Each time you fire it up there is danger that the bottom will melt and expand while the top acts as a plug in the pipe. You have a large hot salt shotgun.It really is very dangerous so if anyone wants to do something like this be sure you do your research first and know exactly what your doing.No kids, wives, dogs, spectators or lack of protective wear allowed.I will probably still go to a pro welder to get this done as I am not perfect by any means and it is really important that this is done right.Also building an high temp electric heat treating oven for both heat treating and tempering. Bob
Reply:Did someone say BEER Who needs something weled?
Reply:whats the wall thickness of the pipe?, and how thick is the plug? does the plug sit on top of the pipe or is it recessed into the pipe? If it is recessed make sure put put a good chamfer (bevel) so the welder can get a good weld on it
Reply:I plan on a plate that fits iniside the tube. I will grind an angle on it first. Both pieces ar 1/4"Bob
Reply:Not to be an A$$, but as the Devil's advocat, my minimum is $125 under 2 hours, no matter if it is a truck frame or a mailbox. We have to make a living with the overhead we carry(insurance, machine,truck, shop, etc....).
Reply:Tozzi,Are you THAT dependent on small jobs?
Reply:Not at all, I just can't stand the person that expects you to do them a favor.I am dependent on heavy equipment, and industrial piping jobs. I don't want to be the mean new guy, just stating the facts. If you can drop a small job off at my shop and can wait till I am using that process, I will gladly weld it for you( at a bargan price). The people that expect me to drop everything and do it now will pay.
Reply:Nothing wrong with that.  In fact, when I first read this thread, I was thinking I would charge my one-hour rate, too.  Like you say, it all depends on what I'm doing at the time, and when you want it done.
Reply:Originally Posted by MAC702After all, it's just a "five-minute job," right?
Reply:Emerick, that was just a reference to a recent thread we had about so-called "five-minute" jobs.
Reply:Oh ok. Sorry New member here.
Reply:Originally Posted by emerickweldingWhat would you call it? In my area if you charged 1 hour rate for that you would not get any more business. Word of mouth has made me a good living.... bad word of mouth will put me out.... Just my opinion
Reply:I don't want anyone to get the impression that I want a freebie or a cheapie. I don't need it today, don't expect anyone to stop what they are doing and do this for me. I plan on dropping it off and coming back in a few days to get it. I have a lot of stuff to do to build this thing and the stainless pipe is just part of it.Having been without an income of any kind for 10-1/2 months would make it impossible for me to pay $125 for this welding job. At that price I would have to find another way to get it done. This is due to my inability to pay that much, not because the welder does not deserve to get paid.But defiantely not 125.00. In my opinion that is robbery. But we all have different opinions.
Reply:Originally Posted by Bob WarnerI don't want anyone to get the impression that I want a freebie or a cheapie. I don't need it today, don't expect anyone to stop what they are doing and do this for me. I plan on dropping it off and coming back in a few days to get it. I have a lot of stuff to do to build this thing and the stainless pipe is just part of it.Having been without an income of any kind for 10-1/2 months would make it impossible for me to pay $125 for this welding job. At that price I would have to find another way to get it done. This is due to my inability to pay that much, not because the welder does not deserve to get paid.
Reply:Originally Posted by Bob WarnerHello all. The pipe will be 24" long, 2.5" in diameter.
Reply:Zapster,I m still looking for the pipe. There will be two 2" or 2.5" stainless pipes with a plate ground down to fit inside the pipe. Just need to get it welded leakproof.Stainless pipe is diffilult for me to find in the 1/4" thickness. I can't think of anything it is used for in this size so don't know where to look for drops. I will be hitting machine shops all next week looking for drops and hope to find some at a reasonable price. Then to match the steel with a plate of the same kind. It may take a while to get the parts.I appreciate your offer and if I can't find anyone around here to do it I will check with you to see if you have time when I am ready.Thanks,Bob
Reply:i have the dimentions..we have a vast stock rack.. monday i'll see what we have and if we have it.. i'll do it monday..no problem......zap!I am not completely insane..Some parts are missing Professional Driver on a closed course....Do not attempt.Just because I'm a  dumbass don't mean that you can be too.So DON'T try any of this **** l do at home.
Reply:Good idea, Zap.  I MIGHT have that pipe in stock, too, but at my dad's yard.  I'll have to check...
Reply:Zap and Mac,I can live with 18" pipes. 24 is better but if you have 18 it will do the trick, I also can live with 2" if 2-1/2" is not available, just minor concessions on my part to make it work. I surely don't mind modifying the design a little since I have not started building it yet.If you can do this please let me know as soon as you can what you need from me so I can send it. If you have paypal or need a money order or whatever.I appreciate your trying to help.Bob
Reply:IF I have it, it'll only be a 2", but I think I do have 4' of it, if it's there.  My storage is actually out of town, at my dad's, so I'll give Zap a chance first, since I'm not planning a trip out there, but I can if I need to.  It'll probably be 308 alloy, if that works for you.  I also probably don't have the plate in stock at this time.So, Zap may have it handier and has a better chance of having 2-1/2".But let me know if you need my surplus pipe, at any rate.
Reply:I don't know off hand how much the Tri mix gas is and if you have a welder or not. Its probibley not worth getting the wire and tri mix gas to MIG the Stainless yourself  but it is an option.If you do it next time it will be available to do yourself. I am kinda O.C.D. and would be the guy to buy something like a canister of gas to weld something 1 time rather than to pay somebody to do it. Maybe that doesn't make sense but it does to me, something else in my arsenal of tools to make me money.Drivesector Hobart Handler 140Hobart Handler 180Ready Welder 2Hobart Air Force 400Airco Stinger 225Of all the things I've lost, I miss my mind the most."OZZY"
Reply:I'm kinda like that, too, Drivesector.  Nothing wrong with that!  I'm always looking for an excuse to justify a new tool, even a one-time project.
Reply:Hey Bob..Ok heres what we have in stock..(stainless tubing)(the size your looking for is as my boss put it "is not a stock size"..)2" ID .150 wall 24"1 7/8 ID .200 wall 24"2.400 ID .250 wall 18"and thats about it..i do however have stainless tubing thats 3.5 ID with a 3/8 wall..as much as you need...let me know if you can use any of it.....zap!I am not completely insane..Some parts are missing Professional Driver on a closed course....Do not attempt.Just because I'm a  dumbass don't mean that you can be too.So DON'T try any of this **** l do at home.
Reply:ZAP,Sent you a PM.Bob
Reply:Keep us posted, you two!
Reply:lol Hey Bob...maybe i'll use your tube project for a demo when i hold my "class" on the 30'th..that way there i kill 2 boyds with one tig torch..and give'em a lesson on shrink fit at the same time.. ...zap!I am not completely insane..Some parts are missing Professional Driver on a closed course....Do not attempt.Just because I'm a  dumbass don't mean that you can be too.So DON'T try any of this **** l do at home.
Reply:Zap is taking care of me. I am just happy knowing that this is going to work out. I am one of those people that try to make sure that your helping me is not a large burden and I keep trying to cover all the bases. I have been the one helping out many, many times before and sometimes people take advantage of your generosity and leave you hanging (don't pay for shipping, don't bother to say thanks, don't even reply after you worked your a$$ off for them). I try very hard not to take advantage.Zap just keeps telling me to chill out. I'll try............
Reply:so chill out.. Bob..i'm at the shop ..i just took an offical measurement..3.400 ID .500 wall..i took a pic of the tubes..will post when i get home.....zap!I am not completely insane..Some parts are missing Professional Driver on a closed course....Do not attempt.Just because I'm a  dumbass don't mean that you can be too.So DON'T try any of this **** l do at home.
Reply:Sorry, kind of off-topic here, but Bob I gotta tell you, your knives are amazing! And that railroad spike knife design is sweeet!Back on topic, it's a situation where I usually tell people "Hey, buy me lunch and we'll call it even". The way I see it, that five minutes is just time I would be taking a breather, or like, stand around sratching myself . So if I can be more productive and make a good name for myself, I wouldn't hesitate. Plus, I love TIG welding!
Reply:Thanks for the compliment on my knives. I try to do quality work in everything I do. That railroad spike is the only one like it on the planet. I am the first person (and only to my knowledge) to make the damascus, forge it into a railroad spike and then make a knife from it. That knife has been in Knives Illustrated magazine twice.There is more info on how it was made in this thread.http://www.weldingweb.com/vbb/showthread.php?t=6289Hey ZAP! I'm CHILLLLLLLLLLLLLLLIN
Reply:Hey Bob..Heres a pic of your stock in its glory all covered with oil..grease..chips..spit..all sorts of "happycrap" as i call it.. but i'll do ya good see the threading job in my lathe?boy i'm "screwed" now...80 pcs..stainless 2" diameter..87" long..need to be threaded... 2 - 4 1/2 thread..single pointed..4 inches at least longBOTH ENDSi get all the fun jobs...but i can do one end in 7 minutes now... ...zap!but it still bites...I am not completely insane..Some parts are missing Professional Driver on a closed course....Do not attempt.Just because I'm a  dumbass don't mean that you can be too.So DON'T try any of this **** l do at home.
Reply:I think I could like a job like yours. Screwing things all day.  OOPS!!! not what I meant, I meant THREADING things all day.Fun unless you got somone breathing over your shoulder all the time.Right now, I'd like ANY job.You can leave the pipes dirty (except the spit, not really fond of spit  ).Bob
Reply:Fun unless you got somone breathing over your shoulder all the time.(quote)  i hate that...i stop what i'm doing untill the problem goes away..sometimes i have to say "theres nothing to see here..so move along.."no secrets.. ...zap!I am not completely insane..Some parts are missing Professional Driver on a closed course....Do not attempt.Just because I'm a  dumbass don't mean that you can be too.So DON'T try any of this **** l do at home.