Anyone with a welder (portable)?

OhBuoy · #1 (**permalink**) 09-04-2002, 09:01 PM

I am getting my B&B body and roll bar delivered soon. I need to weld the roll bar mounts in. I was going to hire someone with a portable welder, but if someone out there has a welder and can strike a good seam, I might be indebted to you for a few adult beverages, a burger or two and maybe even one of those Windy City Cobra Club embroidered shirts.

Ozona · #2 (**permalink**) 09-06-2002, 10:27 PM

I believe Rick P has a welder that might be small enough to be portable.

Russ-FFR3048 · #3 (**permalink**) 09-14-2002, 11:14 AM

I've got an old Lincoln 225 Amp Arc Welder. It works nicely (if you can weld better than me). You are welcome to borrow it. You'll need 220V. Let me know. The welder is at my work, in Niles. Give me a call if you're interested.

Russ 3048
847-967-6420

FFR2231K · #4 (**permalink**) 10-15-2002, 12:01 PM

Did you ever get your roll bar welded? If not let me know and I might be able to help.
Mark

OhBuoy · #5 (**permalink**) 10-19-2002, 09:47 AM

Mark,

Still waiting on the body and the roll bar. When it comes in, I will touch base with you. I am thinking of just hiring someone with a portable welding truck if I cannot get it done.

Tom

OhBuoy · #6 (**permalink**) 12-09-2002, 08:32 PM

OK everyone. I have the body and am doing some tugging and pulling to get things to line up (like the doors) I will NEVER buy a frame and body seperate again. I was warned, but now I am educated. But anyways, I am going to need to get the roll bar mounts welded in and possible a set of seat brackets. I have NO welding experience and no welder. I also do not have 220V in the garage. I have two options...

1) RentalMax rents 120V and larger gas powered welders for $30-50 per day. I could rent one and find someone to weld it.

2) I could hire a portable welding company to come out and do it for me. Problem here is that I have to weld two supports, then line up and drill another hole and have that support welded. Will they wait around? Do I have them weld the two supports and then come back and do the seat mounts and the third leg>

2a) Trailer it to a welding shop. This is probable the most expensive. Trailer rental is $75/day.

Anybody have any ideas or suggestions? If I hire it out, I would if possible like to find someone that has experience doing roll bars/cages. By brain holder may depend upon this some day.

I have toyed with renting or buying a welder and learning, but the roll bar is really not something I want to learn on. Even with the practice of the 8 seat support seams that I could burn as post practice runs, I still would not feel comfortable.

Tom

OhBuoy · #7 (**permalink**) 12-15-2002, 08:34 AM

Well, I went the route of the professional welder with a portable unit. He hit me up for $125, which was not bad. As it turns out, he used a portable 110 unit that he plugged into my fairly inadequate garage outlet. I asked him about it, and he said that he is able to get just as good results with the portable unit, and being 110, he is able to go where the job is, no matter what. He said that he rarely uses the generator and monster on the truck, as it is loud and by the time he takes out the cables and gets everything setup, he can be done with the 110 unit. As it turns out, he is working on a 39 Vicky kit at someone close to my house. Sounds like the kit needs alot of work. From the sounds of it, it must be a Street Beasts. He said that alot of the chassis is bolted together instead of welded, and that is what he is doing.

Tom

FFR2231K · #8 (**permalink**) 12-19-2002, 11:55 AM

Tom,
I am glad that you got it done. It would also be a good idea to keep the guys phone number handy as I am sure someone will need one. I think that going with a professional welder for any safety equipment is the only way to go. I can get things to stick together but it does not look too good. Good Luck.
Mark