Welding estimate?

Post by **tingo** » Thu Apr 30, 2009 5:52 pm

Hi All
I was planning to learn how to weld, but my car has just returned from the MOT, and I would prefer to get it done by an expert rather than a beginner.
Can anyone tell me a ballpark figure for how many hours labour a garage should quote to fit a full chassis leg and the front cross-member please?
Once this is done I can learn to weld on a smaller, less vital area

Post by **PSL184** » Thu Apr 30, 2009 7:31 pm

At a guess I would think at least half a day, maybe a bit longer. It took me about 4 hours to do a chassis leg at home. It would be easier on a ramp though...

Post by **Dryad** » Thu Apr 30, 2009 8:39 pm

A full chassis leg is about £80 and the front crossmember is about £12 (main bottom part), so add maybe 6 hours labour at whatever your garage charges, add VAT and you should be looking at about £350 I would guess.

Post by **bmcecosse** » Thu Apr 30, 2009 8:58 pm

Good incentive to start the welding practice !

Post by **tingo** » Thu Apr 30, 2009 9:05 pm

Thank you, very useful info. I know where I can get the parts for £120, if I need both bits of the cross member.
Someone has recommended a good local classic car welder. I'd be happy to pay for 4 - 6 hours, would have been more concerned if you'd said 15 hours.

Post by **tingo** » Thu Apr 30, 2009 9:06 pm

Hi BMC - yes I need to get on with it. I would prefer to practice on a wing rather than the chassis! There will be plenty to do in the coming years.

Post by **bmcecosse** » Thu Apr 30, 2009 9:09 pm

No - just dive in at the deep end !
Obviously if you can prepare the parts for welding-in ie cut out the old rusty bits/dismantle the suspension/get the new parts in position and held in place, then the actual 'welding' will not take all that long. I'm assuming the 'classic car welder' comes to you of course!

Post by **tingo** » Thu Apr 30, 2009 10:06 pm

Hadn't thought of that. Is it common for professionals to do that, and work without a ramp? Or maybe I need a friendly local MMOC member

Post by **MGFmad** » Thu Apr 30, 2009 10:13 pm

You do see some welders advertising as mobile and they will come to you, problem is you don't know how good they are - always best to go on recommendation.

Post by **tingo** » Fri May 01, 2009 5:55 pm

I've got a recommendation from the man who will sign the MOT certificate, so I am starting with that. If he quotes a sensible price then I will go with it.

Post by **bmcecosse** » Fri May 01, 2009 7:53 pm

Seems a way to go!

Post by **rayofleamington** » Sat May 02, 2009 4:58 pm

Hadn't thought of that. Is it common for professionals to do that, and work without a ramp? Or maybe I need a friendly local MMOC member

both are possible. Mobile or premises, you still need to make sure you're getting a good repair job and value for money (getting a good repair is far more important than the money but of course both are important).
If you find someone who deals with classic cars a lot and is recommended by owners then that would count for a lot in my book. there are also one or two Minor centres in your part of the world who may be able to give a ball park quote for comaprison. Bear in mind that a 'classic car specialist' is not automatically going to do a good job. Whatever line of work people are in, I find most to be honest and a few to be rogues, and classic car circles are no different to the rest of life.

Post by **tingo** » Sun May 03, 2009 9:43 pm

PSL184 wrote:At a guess I would think at least half a day, maybe a bit longer. It took me about 4 hours to do a chassis leg at home. It would be easier on a ramp though...

Just out of interest, where did you support the car while changing the chassis leg? I hope you are not going to say the front cross-member because mine is full of holes and needs to be changed at the same time!

Post by **PSL184** » Sun May 03, 2009 11:09 pm

tingo wrote:
PSL184 wrote:At a guess I would think at least half a day, maybe a bit longer. It took me about 4 hours to do a chassis leg at home. It would be easier on a ramp though...
Just out of interest, where did you support the car while changing the chassis leg? I hope you are not going to say the front cross-member because mine is full of holes and needs to be changed at the same time!

Large plank of wood across the belly of the car held up on axle stands

Would be easier to use a roller though but I don't have one

Post by **tingo** » Mon May 04, 2009 5:01 pm

I thought the weight of the engine would tip the car forward, but I guess you are ok if the plank is in front of the jacking points? Was the plank spreading the weight across the floor pans and the sills?

I agree a roller would be easier, and I'm leaving it to someone with the proper equipment!

Post by **PSL184** » Mon May 04, 2009 9:15 pm

I didn't have the engine in at the time..... and yes, the plank went full width of the car and stuck out both sides.

Post by **tingo** » Sat May 16, 2009 3:05 pm

Just to update this topic - I've got a green certificate and a big grin!

I got the chassis leg and crossmember done for six hours labour, and the chap did a great job. Bring on the sunshine ...

Post by **bmcecosse** » Sat May 16, 2009 3:42 pm

Well done - great success!

Post by **jonathon** » Sat May 16, 2009 3:52 pm

Any pics of the work done ?

Post by **tingo** » Sat May 16, 2009 4:02 pm

Not yet, but I'll take some if it ever stops raining.