Great work. My personal best was charging 175 bucks to bring my mig welder into a Barnes and Nobles kitchen, for 2 minutes worth of welding. I added a single piece of quarter inch bar stock, and it was done. Total time on the site was about 30 minutes which mostly involved bringing my cart in and out. Field repairs command a premium

@FreeYourBrains

Жыл бұрын

you actually left money on the table, for sure a big welding company wont come out, so you could have charge $1000 easy, and it is Barnes and Noble, they have money

@IdealArc

Жыл бұрын

@@FreeYourBrains I did it for a guy I know who owns the company who they contracted with, and I think he charged 4 or 500. If it had been me personally I would have charged more. But it's a good lesson either way, never undersell yourself. They want it bad enough they'll pay

@jonvenusti

Жыл бұрын

too cheap

@sappireflames0009

Жыл бұрын

My God, it's literally a competition for who can rip someone the most for you losers.

@FreeYourBrains

Жыл бұрын

@@IdealArc exactly

In behalf of all welding rookies, TYVM for teaching in SIMPLE LANGUAGE. We don't have welding vocabulary 👍💯

@pancake5830

24 күн бұрын

google is your friend :)

Thank you for being a welder. I have absolutely no interest in the skill and you are promoting others into learning. It is your way to serve others in this world and a service I will always be willing to pay for. Thank you!

@malaina681

Жыл бұрын

That’s so interesting to hear, I’ve just started and I thought everyone loved this too!

@zjedinite

Жыл бұрын

I find your comment strange honest and funny at the same time. For whatever that’s worth 🤷🏻‍♂️ I liked it 😂

@tommyjones1357

Жыл бұрын

@@zjedinite you know, the video came up on my feed and my first reaction was: “Aye, IDGAF about welding.” I clicked on it and saw a hardworking man being genuine and supportive of other welders. All I could rationalize is: Thank God for all the people out there who have interests different than my own because if everyone was like me, a lot of important necessary things would never get done.”

@escapetherace1943

Жыл бұрын

I have no interest in the skill because welders die early. Almost statistically every single one of them, or they get 10 cancers. Turns out metallic gas isn't good for you.

@zjedinite

Жыл бұрын

@@escapetherace1943 yes, you know what also causes cancer. All the garbage we eat at fast food places. If you are careful you should be ok, It’s not like he’s a union welder working on ship building, that seems to be more dangerous. Welding hours at at a time in close quarters at times. I really hope those guys use good ventilation 🤞🏽🤞🏽🤞🏽

I'm a Fabricator, and I agree with the way you did it all, I'm especially happy with your care of the Owners property and protected everything near your work area, some people wouldn't go that far, but you did, and that shows.

@ismaelramirez4803

Жыл бұрын

I'm a fabricator too and this guy did a fantastic job. I couldn't help but be a little judgmental at first because of all the niche gadgets and tools he has. They are extremely expensive and i personally have never thought of using a fixtures. The whole thing looked so cluttered and like a newbie with too much money. I guess I am still judgmental haha. I don't know, it's interesting to see someone who is from a completely different trade naturalize themselves as a metal worker. I bet I have a lot to learn form this dude

@niller2811

8 ай бұрын

mixing normal and stainless is a nogo and spending 2 days on that should be a crime honestly

Never thought I would see the day I got excited over a pipe polisher. THAT SHIT LOOKS DOPE

I love how honest you are about your fees and expenses.

Good work. One suggestion is switching to either just a torch switch or if you really want/need to control heat on the fly, a thumb control. The pedal is really only meant for fab at a table.

@scrapmanindustries

9 ай бұрын

Fronius makes really sweet rig machines with a thumb switch

This is the American dream! You can't charge more than $50 for this job in my country without people thinking you're crazy

I apply the same criteria on small hydraulic repair, luckily clients always leave happy no matter what I charge, your videos always inspire me to learn more, thank you and keep up the good work!!

I found it amusing when you were talking about "non ideal" position to weld in. I was just reminiscing about the days when I was pipe welding building ethanol refineries having to wrap my body between small pipes, on my back, and needed to weld with a mirror. I'd take the positions you were welding in any day, and I'm not discounting what you're saying in the least. Also, nice work on the pre-fab items to make the field fit much easier!

@andyd2960

6 ай бұрын

I've mirror welded stick and dual shield, but I can't imagine how I'd go about doing tig. I guess I'd get the hang of it.

Thank you for the motivation. I been doing tig welding for more than ten years for someone else. I need to put up my own business. Thank you

you definitely don't have to explain your cost so much it makes complete sense brother. we have people coming to us weekly asking for specialized work and sometime when they think the price is too high or they believe they can find someone to do it cheaper we just nod our heads and tell em thanks for stopping by. now a days specialized work is incredibly expensive as people who truly know what they're doing start to phase into retirement and so on. if anything you're on the low end price wise id say

Love this. Thank you for filming and posting. I’m a farmer with 10 yrs experience and still not getting payed enough to pay a mortgage so I’m planning a list of side jobs to bring in more money and justify me doing the underpaid day job I love while using some of those skills outside the job to make up for lost pay. I would definitely have done this job and undercharged. Love the details in the craftsmanship and also the discussion on the pricing. Brilliant and thank you again

Your prices are very reasonable for the type of work you are doing. I would charge $150/hr minimum for a rural area and $215/hr for urban areas. Most high rise commercial work I did was often at $250/hr. You do very clean work. I am proud to see that level of care in the work you do.

@jenniferwhite6089

Жыл бұрын

For most commercial jobs you need a trade ticket to weld on any jobs here it is if i have to do any structural welding flat rate is a thousand dollars per hour i charge from when i leave my house and return home i retired now and want to work on my farms lol now i am amazed I still get called to work lol

@maxjordan2625

Жыл бұрын

Good christ 🤑

@bertlord

Жыл бұрын

@@jenniferwhite6089 - really?

@jamescrud

Жыл бұрын

@@bertlord $1000 an hour makes no sense. The shop I send our strutcural designs to for welding is CSA certified and their rate $125/hr.

@bertlord

Жыл бұрын

@@jamescrud- yes. I do not believe the $1,000 per hour either. Unless that is their only fans account.

The neatness and accuracy of this welding job is highly satisfying and commendable. Impressive work! 😎💯💯💪🏿👍🏿

I love the genuine approach to your videos. You have a wealth of hands on and tool knowledge. You have an honest love of tools and it shows! Peace

I was plagued with not charging enough, you did great! Instant subscription

Great job and tutorial. I especially admire how you’ve invested in your trade. I’m a handyman and just purchased a Tig I have no experience in this but I’m learning from KZread. Thank you for sharing

I love how honest you are about your fees and expenses.. I love how honest you are about your fees and expenses..

My man, you charge very fair and make yourself available to a lot more people that way. Nice tool selection and good call on the process.

Great video Chris, I enjoyed watching it... I get a lot of in some cases simple ideas from your videos that have helped me in my projects... Thanks, I appreciate your willingness to share this stuff...

Nice work and interesting to see how you and other welders bill out their time. Great job on and good to see someone who cares about giving 100% to the client and their job. You don't always see people put quality first.

Just a side note: Most business divides by 21, actual avg working days.

@GrayRaceCat

Жыл бұрын

I was taught 365(days-year)-104(52 2 day weekends)/12(months)=21.75. Definitely not 30 unless you never take days off, and then it's 30.42.

@TRGFBC

Жыл бұрын

@@GrayRaceCat or be like me and only take 1 day off a week.

@zjedinite

Жыл бұрын

Hmm, retired contractor here and I just learned this. Well I was self taught, and made up my ignorance with hard work. No high school, busting my as since 17 years old. Retired by 38, so now stay home dad. PLEASE HELP ME! Working outside is way easier then home care! 😂 it’s no joke! I have lost my balls 🤣 Well my kids and wife love me, that’s all it matters. Thanks for the tip, BTW I’m on coffee break now bahahaha 🤦🏻‍♂️

@mattcasoni

Жыл бұрын

@@zjedinite that’s awesome. I’m 48 still working. Hard work, ignorance and mistakes is exactly how I’m still working

@zjedinite

Жыл бұрын

@@mattcasoni hey you wanna trade?!😂 Let me tell you the respect I have for women that stay home is now very present in my every day life. You know learning by making mistakes beats any college course imho any day of the week. I was never good with books anyways 🤦🏻‍♂️ Truly wishing you the best of luck on your business endeavors.

Love the Kneel-It. I know what my wife is getting for Valentine's day!!!

How nice to see somebody not balk from the subject of money. Thanks Chris. Nice job

Dude, you're just awesome! I love the way you present your videos. I love the lack of ego and the openness with your skill set and development. It's truly inspirational. I'm doing a regular employment job for now, because I know I can earn, but where you are is where I want to be. Not specializing, just individual projects, constantly pushing my boundaries and extending myself. I'm not going to become a millionaire doing this, but I will be entertained. I love watching your videos.

I own a Lincoln 200 as well. I bought a thumb controlled remote that I can swap out with the foot pedal for awkward positions. I like your shop!

When people find out I can tig weld things safely in the home they love it!!

@olsen3499

Ай бұрын

Can I add you on Instagram? I would like to ask you a few questions please?

So, I’ve got to say how impressed I am ! You do a really nice job, and are very clearly a very conscientious guy. A nice video, and my you be forever filled with profitable work. Many thanks…From Italy. 👍

Love the Monster garage rewind lol good to see you still killing it brother. I had to search you out, YT stopped showing me your videos cuz the range of stuff I listen to at work. But I'll never forget PATW! Peace

"Portaband benchtop version." Ah yes, the band saw lol. Great video man, you're a hell of a fabricator! Thanks for tips on pricing

Super video! I really enjoyed all of the content. Looking forward to the next one. I would like to try tig welding now.

Great job man. I love clean work like this.

You got skills. I do railing for a living mostly shop. Your on point

i also went from woodworking to metal working, but not professionally or this degree. it does seem like a natural progression to go from wood to metal, and it seems like proficiency in one shortens the learning curve of the other. thanks for sharing how you charge. its the perennially difficult question for amateurs.

Thanks for sharing. When you produce quality results then you can charge as much as you want, provided you find the clientele. Find the clients that value your work as much as you do yourself!

Beautiful work, great video! Tons of editing, filming- Wow!🤯

Awesome video. Great pacing, editing, and informative. Lovely.

You are so professional. I really enjoyed this video and learned a lot. You really set a standard, bro. Hope one day I can do stuff like you do

as someone who's kinda still new to welding I'm actually surprised no one thought of doing small jobs. like i always think how helpful it would be to just weld something together

I throughly enjoyed watching how you went about doing you setups and procedures on welding MIG/TIG most my old friends used the MIG and had no idea why they did not use TIG till I watch your clip.. It does take a certain type of hand eye coordination and special skill set for each type of welding, besides your safety procedures to follow when welding. Great clip, Thank you.

@avant-gardemarmalade7605

Жыл бұрын

It also requires more preparation, and is generally slower than other methods. It's not necessary when you're making something like a trailer to use this method

I love the Kneel it V roll! adds a lot of comfort to a crappy position.

I have to say nice work I run my own mobile welding shop and my rate is $200 an hour. I'm booked most of the time 2 to 3 weeks out and my customers don't mind waiting for a nice job. Been fabricating for 43 years now happy welding.

@Sunrayman123

26 күн бұрын

what jobs are you getting and how do you find them?

I am amazed about your quality and expertise work

Great job. Good example of small field fabrication, no shortage of ways to do this.

Nice work. This is the type I do. Some much fun to fugure out the puzzle.

I 100% agree with you, Good job! and honestly that was a great price for that job.

A tip for glare in your hood that you mentioned around 13:00 mark take your lenses out and color in the outer edge of the clear lense with a black sharpie. Takes away seeing double and usually glare

@tubeonline629

Жыл бұрын

Are you talking about coloring just the thin outside edge or a border , which would make your viewing area smaller? I hope you understand the way I'm asking.

@chasebarragar6961

Жыл бұрын

@@tubeonline629 the very outer edge. No border

@tubeonline629

Жыл бұрын

@@chasebarragar6961 I've been a welder for 38 years and never heard of this. Thank you i will definitely try this tip.

@peetky8645

Жыл бұрын

i think he was talking about the sun coming thru that big window behind him. Pipeline welders use pancake hoods to prevent sun intrusion. If you don't have a pancake, buy a black cotton hoodie and putt the hood up over your welding helmet-makes it pitch black inside helmet so sun in helmet does not compete with the puddle. Some white people also Velcro a hanging strip of black canvas or leather to the chin of the helmet to prevent reflection off the neck and also sunburn from the arc. I have pretty poor eyesight and i have found the hoodie trick to be very helpful seeing the puddle.

@tubeonline629

Жыл бұрын

@@peetky8645 That's another good idea. Thank you.

Great video, I agree that lugging equipment around a job sucks, it’s about the only time my stuff gets damaged

As a brand new welder, these are the kind of videos i need to watch

@MolliesCreates

2 ай бұрын

how are you going with the journey?

welding tip--you can use a 2 gallon garden sprayer to dampen that cardboard on the floor and make it fireproof. do the same with cardboard sheet you lean up against vulnerable wall surfaces.

Get yourself a tig button. It is a button on your tig torch that works like a foot peddle, the harder you push the button the higher the amps. A must have for out of position work. Your rates seem pretty reasonable. I just wish I could find more clients that understand what fab work like this costs.

@mattbentley8958

Жыл бұрын

@@lm2174 the welding process is exactly the same you just eliminate the foot peddle. I guess you are just so good you use the foot peddle while 20ft up on a ladder or are laying on your stomach in the bilge of a boat with your feet above your head.

@mattbentley8958

Жыл бұрын

@@lm2174 you sound like a really good welder too bad you suck at being a person. Glad this is our only and last interaction.

@mandoky1647

Жыл бұрын

@@mattbentley8958 I've been 45ft up inside the corner of a building with hardly and reach and unable to reach the back side of a weld with my dominate hand. I learned to TIG with both hands, and I bet I can lay down a better weld without a peddle any day. Try welding hastelloy out of position its like welding 316l stainless where you have to watch your heat, but with a watery puddle like aluminum. Real pipe welders don't need a pansy button. Learn to weld and control the heat by visuals and heat settings instead of taking the easy way out.

@mattbentley8958

Жыл бұрын

@@mandoky1647 good for you. Welding is only a part of my job. I will use the capabilities of my machine to get the job done. My comment is for the majority of people like the guy who made the video that would benefit from it.

I was just welding in a dimly lit area today, I was holding a flashlight, that headlamp on your hood is a great idea. I'm definitely gonna do that to mine.

@MakeEverything

Жыл бұрын

I use it all the time!!

@vesslewis9166

Жыл бұрын

@@MakeEverything I added that to my hood after watching your video about it. I got the same make and model from your video. Works great and I turned my welding buds on to it also. I do weld repairs on heavy equipment where a lot of times I'm in the bowels of some mechanical beast and it's really a necessity.

Something that has helped me when TIG welding on site is ditching the pedal and using a TIG button. So much easier that using the pedal with your knee

Great job. The customer got a heck of a deal. Way cheaper than an entirely new hand rail!

@floofsale

Жыл бұрын

Not really... They shoulda knocked it out and just put wooden rails. Easier to work with material wise and labor. Not sure why they needed metal fence looking rails lol

Frankly, I think $2k is underpriced, at least in my area. Finding someone qualified for a small job is nearly impossible, & then there's the risk factor which is NOT minimal. The hourly rate is a local thing, as is shop rate (where IIWMI'D divide by # of working days/mo rather than calendar days). Time & materials for protecting customer's premises is super important, great emphasis there, as is cleanup of your work & area. Nice job, especially with the close fit spuds inside the 1st section tubes, definitely a craft worthy touch!

Good I to the fit job and hiding welds behind plate. Watching from Detroit.❤

Great job... Fello Welder Fabricator 💪🏾💪🏾💪🏾💪🏾💪🏾💪🏾

Hey man, Excellent video! I love seeing content like this because it really gives perspective for everyone interested in starting their own business and for those needing repairs. One thing I would recommend for firld TIG work is to change from a foot pedal to a thumb switch, I find it to be much more precise and I don't have to use my knee when welding close to the ground. Let me know what you think!

Thanks for going over pricing. So many people are scared to talk about it.

DEFINITELY appreciate the $$ guidance! and the mad skillz......

Very fair price. Here in Charlotte, it would have been MUCH more expensive. Great work, Chris!👍👍

Nice video. Thanks for breaking it all down.👍🙏🙂

Good content, man. Thanks a bunch for your time.

Thanks for sharing man! I'am starting a business and you really encouraged me to charge properly for my skills

I'm a union pipewelder and you're right about the charge.

You did great. Nicely done

Hey that looks like a Viking hood! I love mine. What a good video too 😊

Nice work and sharing information 👍

Yeah man love the professional and premium quality job you did there. It deserves to be well compensated. In the same line of work here in South Africa. Really underpayed job here which leads to alot of real nasty work around. In the end you get what you pay for. I also have pride in my work, please never ask me to half arse a job. If im doing it its gonna be done propper and that costs. Hope you have tons of work!

Your fees are verry good. People think 100$/hour is expensive but they don't think about the level of experience that the worker have. They don't think about the price of the tools, quality of them, ect. You have to charge the price you're comfortable with. Verry nice job

I'm always undercharging and my brain never caught up from the 80's prices lol...Really nice work here and a great price,,I just put up a small radio 40 foot tower for armature radio enthusiast friend and only charged around a thousand for re-welding a new square plate base and crank up system that was cemented into the ground about 4 feet with 3/4 threaded rod embedded into the concrete (i bent the ends 90 degree with a torch before setting them in) friend is supper happy and is throwing me a bunch of more work around his place. He might get the friend rate but people are paying for not just the time and materials but a life time of acquired skills and experience, so its essential we lay it out for the client what to expect ahead of time.

The only problem I have with what you charged is that when you consider your travel time and loading/unloading at your shop, you probably actually have two full days in this project, and maybe more. You charged your per day cost for the day you spent in your shop, but unless it’s not in what you showed us, you didn’t charge your per day cost for the field work day. You are still paying rent, insurance, heat, electricity, etc for your shop, even if you’re working in the field.

@incolink

Жыл бұрын

I certainly agree that having a skilled man on location with gear should incur a similar day rate to the work shop how ever I think you mentioning rent insurance etc related to his work shop is absolutely outrageous getting on sight incurs different expenses.. Do you you want to be competitive with a guy who has only a shop and another guy who has only a well kitted out truck/ trailer yeh i know the shop expenses are still there when your on site i just think you need to manage the balance of sight and work shop work

@paulstuartwilson485

Жыл бұрын

Great point. I would suggest (and I have done this previously) incorporating a "half day" of shop fee because 1) You have (basically) half of your shop with you and 2) Your on-site time never seems to account for "lost time" moments that are beyond your control on a typical job site. I. E. other contractors/subcontractors moving past your work area, unforeseen interruptions, etc.

Thanks for the video. I'm not interested in tig welding, but the use of your different shop tools for the fabrication was very educational. I've taken 2 semesters of welding, and as an older guy (51) who's a 100 disabled vet, I've found that me welding, Stick and FC/mig has been a bit therapeutic. I haven't done anything for pay yet because I'm still learning what I can and can't do well. But in my area, small job welders are not around much. So this year I am planning on putting my skills out there. So thanks for the break down of how you charge for jobs.

@raibrazil8305

Жыл бұрын

What would the experience be like to find a job as a welder in your region? I have been working with welding for 20 years, I am thinking of seeking experience outside my country, Brazil

@kenonsavage

10 ай бұрын

As a recent disabled veteran myself currently taking welding, I too find it pretty therapeutic. It closely compares to the relaxed feeling I got on the range smelling the gun powder burning

@jonny4182

10 ай бұрын

This is actually hilarious to me. I'm in the exact same situation where I am a retired vet andHave taken up welding as a form of therapy. I'm absolute garbage at it so far but I love it for some reason.

Great work man 💪🏻. I would agree with the other shop that you didn’t charge enough especially with your extensive attention to detail! This video will serve as a great advertisement for your business. I need like half the tools you have 😂. Without the right tool, you are just a fool.

As a self employed Mstr. Plumber, I approve of this video. Keep up the great work fellow tradesmen !!

Nice work. Great video. I am an artist and I know how to weld. I’m not certified in anyway. Never thought about doing a little welding jobs for money. Thank you

You know your worth. I learned a lot.

I didn’t realize work like this is so expensive. Thank God I can do this type work myself lol!

@TankedFarms5151

7 ай бұрын

It’s not he grossly overcharges

@zacholson3429

25 күн бұрын

​@TankedFarms5151 this video pissed me off many times

Omfg… I curse and fume when I can’t get a great angle while tig’ing in my own shop… the contortions you must have had to do on that site… you’re a hero 😊

Thanks for this, learned a lot!

I use to build freestanding staircases and ornamental handrails . What you charged was not a bad price . You can make some really good money by building ornamental furniture like coffee tables and end tables with glass table tops. I did a lot with smoked beveled edge glass tops. Not much materials but high-end return. Plus you get to use your creative skills .

@davidwilliams9386

9 ай бұрын

Hey buddy do you have any specific examples of what you made that sold well? I'm a 12 year Fitter/welder/hobby machinist

Very inspirational and informative. Thanks so much! I’m a full time MIG welding at a steel shop. I would love to do my own specialty welding like you do …perfect setup

Thanks for doing the video!

Underestimating the risk of damage to the clients property can easily eat the whole job. Well done.

I think you may have sold yourself short. I don’t know what the demographic is like there but to haul everything to the job site is at least $2000 by itself for the field work. I would have added in the shop time on top of that. But you did A+ work at a very good price! The premium you can get is for the quality and care of your work and that very few will even bid on a job like that. Great job and video!!!

Masterclass on assessing, laying out, and finishing the job, with crystal clear explanation throughout, thank you for making this video!

Nice work and good business structure.

Keep in mind for commercial work you usually need some kind of certification from the state. In my state (WI) I can do work on small homes and agricultural structures but not on multifamily homes (triplex o bigger) or commercial work. Not without a state certification anyways.

Good video! What will help you out greatly for Tig field welding and awkward positioning is a Tig torch thumb roll switch. You may also want to get yourself a “leather welding monkey mask”, this would help your line of sight greatly so you don’t have to fight your plastic welding hood which makes your head size bigger by an inch in almost every direction.

The location and access to it is always a consideration 👌.

Great work and thanks for sharing

I.m a new welder and ,to do all you did ,take's time and good equipment ,and know how , so yes you have to charge accordingly ,plus you did a really nice job ,thanks

@MakeEverything

10 ай бұрын

Thanks! Good luck!

You're phenomenal bro.

Funny story…I started in 2000 as a Trim Carpenter, and I am also working towards mild ads to generate small amounts of work. Seems I’m not the only one that realized learning all the trades gets the most $ now! Rock on dude

@DOUGLIFE-Caintmakethishitup

3 ай бұрын

Not sure how you have time for these videos….but keep killin it

I guess I’m the only one that thought those prices were extremely high. I run a frame machine/auto collision and honestly would rather do 2 days of those rails vs what I do and I only charge 25 per hr. I’m in the wrong business and from these comments looks like people wouldn’t complain if I charge out the rear. Props to you sir for pulling it off. Never blame a man for bettering himself.

@joshpoole6056

Жыл бұрын

Steven, you need to raise your rate. Not sure what sets the pace in your industry but that seems really low if you're the one operating the business and not working for someone else.

@peetky8645

Жыл бұрын

car shops around here start at 150/hr

@Rayden440

6 ай бұрын

With that rate, I cant even keep the lights on in my shop. Even if you're a mechanic working for someone else, $25/hr is a bargain price.

@stevenbelue5496

6 ай бұрын

Where are you guys from? I'm from north AL and the only place charging those prices are the dealerships and knowbody wants to take their shit there unless it's under warranty. It's so bad here now with the inflation nobody has money to get their shit fixed. I hope things get better soon.

Great job !! Shoutout to that Carpenter In the background lol I’m one myself

Really impressive work 👍

As always Awesome content!!

10:18 I remember complaining in a workshop that they couldn’t do a job due to the tools required to get a quality finish weren’t available there. The owner said “a bad tradesman always blames his tools” to which I replied “a good tradesman doesn’t have crap tools”