What's your opinion?

[phiferpharm]

I had both of the corners on my grapple bend into a "J" shape when a person I hired was picking up tree debris with the tractor. I don't believe he did anything to cause the issue, and my only reason for mentioning him is he "knew" a local welder who would bend them straight and add a support for a reasonable fee. The guy was supposedly set up as a mobile service, but when we contacted him, wanted us to bring the grapple to him. Again, not big deal as it was maybe a 4-5 mile trip to his home.

So, you can see what he did-- Heat the corners, pound them straight, cut two pieces of steel for a gussets, and weld them into place.



My question is what you might consider a reasonable fee to pay for this. I will post up what I paid after I get a few responses on this. I have some other work I need done and will judge my best options for who I get to do it once I figure out how reasonable his charges were.

 

[ENC]

Should have had the gussets there in the first place. My grapple does. Around here welders prices vary a lot but all do quality work. I propably would have it done for around $100 which I would expect is a minimum charge.

 

[bdog]

Welders around here that do farm type repairs charge $40-60 / hr and most have a two hour minimum.

 

[Gary Fowler]

My thoughts from looking at the weld is that he is not that good of a welder and $40 per hour would be highly overpaid especially if he has a minimum of 2 hours. Material cost would add to that figure also.

Most shops would have an hourly rate for the welder (this could be $75 or more per hour to cover overhead) + cost of electrodes, steel, cutting gases etc added in which could significantly affect the pricing at the end. Kind of like mechanic shops that have 100 per hour then charge you disposal fee for rags, environmental std fee regardless of work etc to add to their bill.

 

[Gary Fowler]

Welders around here that do farm type repairs charge $40
I don't think a minimum rate should be charged if you bring the item to their shop. Mobile rigs- for sure including mileage but not at a shop. I would think a 1 hour minimum would be more than sufficient for taking out the tools and restoring them when a 5 minute job is required.

 

[phiferpharm]

Well, I appreciate the input from all. I agree that it should have had the gussets originally, but I didn't know enough about what to look for when I got it several years ago. I don't weld so I can only compare it to what the weld looked like that was used to put on two hooks on my bucket, which was a $60.00 job and the $130.00 this fellow charged me looked like. to be honest, the weld on the bucket was a nicer looking weld, but as long as this stays put, I will be happy.

I took the grapple to his place about 11:30 in the morning and went back over about 2:00 to get it. I know he was doing something else when I got there in the morning, so I don't really know how long he worked on it. I think my best bet will be to go back to a shop that worked on a horse -drawn farm wagon and did a great job for me for the other work I have.

 

[Shield Arc]

My thoughts from looking at the weld is that he is not that good of a welder.

Yeah no kidding!:shocked::shocked: I've fired welders who could weld better than that.

 

[Industrial Toys]

My guess is it will break! It's a neat weld but I'm thinking that there isn't much penetration. I could be wrong. At least you didn't get royally ripped off in the money department. I guess a guy has to eat, even if he isn't the best at what he does.

 

[firemanmike69]

If you were 4-5 miles from me I would have come to you and welded it for that price and I would have done a nicer job. He didn't do a very nice job or even paint it

 

[Arc weld]

I have to agree it's a pretty poor job for $130. I'm sure someone with experience could have fixed both sides in an hour or less and it would look a lot better.

 

[cormier]

With welds like that don't go back. A good welder would have made it look a whole lot prettier and more penetration. By looking at the pics it looks like not enough heat so less penetration. For me to do a job like that i would charge about 50$ and it would at least have been primed and painted. That's about a 20min to 1/2 hr job without paint.

 

[4570Man]

I would have done it for you for $50. I would be more disappointed that the grapple didn't have them to start with.

 

[phiferpharm]

I would have done it for you for $50. I would be more disappointed that the grapple didn't have then to start with.

I'm sure the dealer I got my package from (DK45, Grapple, Fiberglass roof) gave me the budget model grapple, but it has served me for going on 3 years now, with no problems. I don't mind paying for adding the gussets if they work.

We'll see how well it holds up later this week. I just cut down a very large, and very dead Oak tree. Regardless, my next welding will be with someone else.

 

[Big Barn]

Doug, here are a few random thoughts not in any particular order:

When we were actively farming, I'm not ashamed to say I did many repairs that looked like yours. We were always in a hurry because of impending bad weather during planting, harvest, you name it. Did what I had to do. Git r done.

Today if I was operating a small welding shop for a living your particular repair would cost you at least $130 probably closer to $150 depending how much straightening was needed. BUT the finished product would look considerably better than what your weldor did. I also would have shot a coat of primer on it and left it up to you to match the OEM colors.

If you were a good friend, I would have just done it for you.

Bottom line: you got it fixed, could look worse, but I don't feel you got ripped off.

Use a different weldor next time or perhaps consider buying a welding machine of your own to play with. Lots of guys here for advice....

Terry

 

[PapaPerk]

Doug, here are a few random thoughts not in any particular order: When we were actively farming, I'm not ashamed to say I did many repairs that looked like yours. We were always in a hurry because of impending bad weather during planting, harvest, you name it. Did what I had to do. Git r done. Today if I was operating a small welding shop for a living your particular repair would cost you at least $130 probably closer to $150 depending how much straightening was needed. BUT the finished product would look considerably better than what your weldor did. I also would have shot a coat of primer on it and left it up to you to match the OEM colors. If you were a good friend, I would have just done it for you. Bottom line: you got it fixed, could look worse, but I don't feel you got ripped off. Use a different weldor next time or perhaps consider buying a welding machine of your own to play with. Lots of guys here for advice.... Terry

Very well said.

 

[phiferpharm]

Doug, here are a few random thoughts not in any particular order:


Bottom line: you got it fixed, could look worse, but I don't feel you got ripped off.

Use a different weldor next time or perhaps consider buying a welding machine of your own to play with. Lots of guys here for advice....

Terry

I hear you Terry and appreciate the comments. Your bottom line is correct and using a different welder is more about the finished product when compared to some other work I've had done than the amount charged.

 

[Arc weld]

You can't charge going rate for shoddy work is the bottom line. Well obviously you can but don't expect any repeat business or referrals from your customers. A good welder could charge $130 for that repair but it would look professional and likely have a coat of black paint on it.

 

[Sodo]

That repair will never bend again. 4-5 miles away, and willing to do it right away is handy. Agreed it doesn't pass the internet test though. I wouldn't want to see that kind of welds from the factory.

Auto mechanics can soak you for $130 to change a belt.

 

[jb1390]

That repair will never bend again. 4-5 miles away, and willing to do it right away is handy. Agreed it doesn't pass the internet test though. I wouldn't want to see that kind of welds from the factory.

Auto mechanics can soak you for $130 to change a belt.

Agreed that the repair will more than likely hold and never cause you an issue. Also agree that it could look better....but put a little paint on it, forget it and use it.