Thread: What is the going rate for welding?

I can't tell you money but to make something like that I'd be putting aside the best part of a day (depending on how much cutting and mucking around was required)
Talk to your welders before buying tube because they may be able to get it cheaper with trade pricing and also if you show up with galv tube and they did not realise you wanted to use that stuff they may refuse to do the job as it's not nice to weld without lots of extra prep.
1.6 is getting thin too which will scare some off.
(A commercial shop works on the basis of risk and return - that is, "how difficult is this job going to be for what I'm being paid for" = is it worth doing?)

Michael

Remember that any decent shop that has decent welders on wages will be paying them about $25-30 an hour add employment overheads and that bringe the labour cost to around $30 to $35 an hour...then consider business overheads like rent, electricity consumable and compliance costs and they are breaking even at arround $50 to $55 an hour so a charge out labour rate at $70 to $80 is more than reasonable......more likly to be looking in the $90 to 100 is the business operator is reasonable, knows their costs and expects to make a fair profit.

So in a commercial fab shop that job is looking arround $600 to $800 pluss materials....some may add another $100 for gal.

cheers

OK - looks like I should stick to painted or black steel to start with. I can get access to pre cut lengths so no cutting would be required ( the middle legs can run down the outside of the box to save on fiddling around - any design, just as long as the top is flat).

I should be expecting $80-90 an hour by the looks of it.

Or buy yourself a welder and learn how to.

Assuming the parts are cut to size (accurately) I'd have thought it might cost a few hundred to weld that out. Duragal requires *no* extra prep, it's designed to be welded through. At most they might want a fan, but any welding workplace should be very well ventilated. If they're running MIG then 1.6mm should be no problem.

All I'd suggest is that you call around a bit. Plenty of places say things like "no job too small", and the little jobs can help keep the work ticking over.

the other option is to work in light weight tube and assemble using plastic joiner pieces.

once all the metal is cut to size all you need is a rubber mallet...but get the right size tube for the joiners.

cheers

Yet another option if you want a galvanised finish is to make the item in normal painted RHS and then have the completed job galvanised. I've just finished building a set of gates and gateposts and was very surprised how cheap it was to get them treated and how well they turned out.

Originally Posted by soundman

the other option is to work in light weight tube and assemble using plastic joiner pieces.

once all the metal is cut to size all you need is a rubber mallet...but get the right size tube for the joiners.

cheers

I have been investigating this as well - I was a bit concerned about the rigidity of the whole set up though. I might come to this though just to achieve the outcome if welding is not an option.

Originally Posted by rod1949

Or buy yourself a welder and learn how to.

This had definitely crossed my mind, current lack of shed space means I wouldn't easily be able to hide a set up from the missus however. (All the hiding spots are filled with other tools)

Originally Posted by Gavin Newman

Yet another option if you want a galvanised finish is to make the item in normal painted RHS and then have the completed job galvanised. I've just finished building a set of gates and gateposts and was very surprised how cheap it was to get them treated and how well they turned out.

Good idea but I was prepared to prep the newly welded joins anyway with rust protection as I have some metal paint kicking. I could just do the whole frame if done in black (it is in the shed under cover also).

If I was in Brisbane and had the time I'd be tempted to put in an offer ... you might find another amateur in your area with time on their hands who is willing to do the job if you look around. As an example I don't have a mill or lathe and got some parts machined up a while back from a semi-retired old bloke for dirt cheap.

I think I am going to use some connectors instead. Found a place in WA that had some steel core ones at a reasonable price. Hopefully it will be sturdy enough.

I saw a sign on a workshop once.
Labour rate per hour:
$50 if we do the job.
$75 if you tell us how to do it.
$100 if you help.
$150 if you or a mate 'had a go at it' and mucked it up.
If you want a job done, then come in and explain what you want to do/achieve, then let the workshop offer a few suggestions. Often a dimensional change of 5 mm can save $$$$ due to material sizes and cut economies. Once you reach agreement, then walk away and wait for the phone call that tells you your job is ready.
Guaranteed you will not buy steel as cheaply as a workshop and nothing scares a fabrication workshop more than the words "I've cut the pieces for you". Cuts out of square or the wrong length cost more in labour time to fix than they could ever save.
If a half decent fab shop couldn't knock your table frame out in less than half a day then they should give the game away. Not counting any special finishes of course.
Unless you have some specific reason against it, that table would be a prime candidate for aluminium construction. Often a job can be done cheaper in ally due to there being no painting required.

Originally Posted by leyton01

Not many places are willing to do jobs for the general public

Really? Even in my area, being a non-industrial town and all, I can name at least 4 operators who would do this on a few days notice.
I think a full day is a bit steep, I would've thought 6 hr x $90 would pull it up.
If you can leave the job sit around at the shop as 'a filler' then you'll get a better price.

Originally Posted by leyton01

Just seeking some advice before I get quotes so I know who is trying to take me for a ride.

I am hoping to get fabricated a metal frame for a table with shelf - 2m x 1m x 1m with a middle leg and support bar (see attached picture).
Looking to use 25mm SHS galvanised either 1.6mm or 2mm. I can source the steel easily - just need to get it welded together.
Not many places are willing to do jobs for the general public and I suspect those that do see you coming and charge and arm and a leg.

Is there a set amount per hour/join that I should anticipate or an overall cost for a job like this?

I'm also located in Brisbane and would appreciate any recommendations for places that will do this kind of work. Cheers!

Well I don't know where Brisvegas is but if you are in Brisbane there is bound to be a member of this forum who has a workshop that could do this with you. Just a thought.