Yeah I figured that rate was for programming the design in and cutting consumables and everything else. At $200 an hour I still may have saved some. Or at least came out the same. Either way though I'm happy with the results and the customers were tickled to death.

I've got a friend that recently went out on his own just doing railing. He subs it from other companies that need to move on to other jobs and don't want to mess with it. He's really doing great and he only works for a couple companies right now. My area has a lot of rail shops but it seems like mos...

Ray that's a good point. I worked in a rail shop for a few years but never got to the pricing end of business. So far I haven't built a lot of rails independently but still a good idea.

That's what our laser operator told me but he could be off. I'm in NC too but not sure if that means anything either.

$75 an hour is pretty cheap! I heard the place I work charges somewhere in the vacinity of $200 an hour. That what I used as a guide but I would have definitely went with a $75 rate.

He's got a friend that's already wanting some handrails too so that's cool. When I add up the cost of building those pieces in the jig with all the cutting, grinding, consumables, and blades I think it might have been just as cost effective to have them burnt out. I appreciate the compliments and fe...

I thought this job would never end but alas it is over. I built these for my uncle and installed them in the house I grew up in which was pretty cool. I cut, welded and ground each one of the little decorative frames and put a picture of the jig I made to build them. That was the worst part of this ...

I'm in NC and totally agree about Airgas. I've got an account with them and Arc3. I use Airgas just in case and they're closer. They're way expensive and do treat me like I just walked in off the street and haven't done business with them a lot in the past. Arc3 filled my argon tank (150) for like $...

I agree also with that. If you see a window of opportunity you definitely need a welder so choose which one will serve you the best and let it pay for itself. Then move on to the cutting side and anything else that opens up a time or two you can prepare for that. It's a slow transition but it's safe...

To be honest I have a pound of silicon bronze and was going to use it to tack up tables I build and then weld over it. It's not critical but I think I'll just use some other filler. I appreciate the advise and good info. Might find a better use for the silicon bronze later

ok thanks. Out of curiosity why would it be compromised? Do the two metals not go together without porosity?

If I use silicon bronze to tack up something can weld over it with my regular mig wire? Never tried but just thought I'd ask before I got some bad results.

Well now I feel like I've at least shortened the learning curve. Hopefully I won't have to use much of the torch but if I do I'm better prepared now. A lot of this job is bolt connection stuff but since it was wrecked a little I'll have to weld some of the parts back together and maybe just weld ins...

Thanks for the tips Andersk. I've either never heard it called a MAP torch or I just don't know what one is. I'll probably use the sharpie trick. Thanks again.

I've got a repair job to do on a tractor trailer where it's been in a little fender bender. Can you use a torch to heat aluminum so you can straighten it? There are a few warped pieces I'll need to straighten and then weld back in place. I've never torched aluminum for this purpose. Any advice is al...

I've bought from ALRO in NC and I like dealing with them. Ive bought aluminum too and I think they're fair. I'd still try to shop around but I'll second ALRO.

Nice job man! I'm making some headway on my job but still got a ways to go. I'll take pics for sure. This is a job never to be forgotten. Haha

I've seen good stuff from Grizzly too but wasn't sure since they do so much different stuff. When their prices go from $300-$12,000 it makes me wonder if they put the same quality in the cheaper stuff as the high end stuff. Thanks for the input.

Hey guys and gals. Since my last thread on blade life I've been looking at band saws on eBay and was wondering g if y'all have had any experience with the Grizzly saw or the Baliegh saws? I'm looking at the $600 range saws so if you have a review I'd love to hear it. This would stay in my shop and I...

Merry Christmas from N.C. too. Hope you all exceed your income and enjoy all you have this new year.

I'm sure it'll be right. Post pics if you can.

Yeah I make good progress when I'm out there it just seems like I'm right there at topping the hill and every night I roll back down a few feet. It'll be good when it's finished though.

Anyone ever gotten into a new job/project and realized you've bitten off more than you wanted? Just started a decorative railing job and things were going good until I started the cutting and grinding part :cry: It's just sooo much grinding. I know I'm being a whiner but I'm doing this for a guy who...

My suggestion would either be too much wire, not enough voltage or too fast on travel speed. If the material won't stand for more heat try cutting back on your wire speed.

I play a couple instruments myself and just wanted to say that I'm really impressed with Jodys sons guitar playing on that last video. So if you're reading this Jody, tell your boy that was some fantastic pickin.

I don't know if you're looking for a review on the quality of their stuff but for what it's worth my boss has the funds to buy whatever he wants for his machine shop and he bought a Grizzly mill and lathe. They're very nice and I'm assuming he likes them pretty good. I'd feel good about getting thei...