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Cast Aluminum welding... Is it that difficult?

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95GSTowner

15+ Year Contributor
223
9
Apr 19, 2008
Huntersville, North_Carolina
Just picked up my FP intake pipe from a local shop and they charged me $37 to weld on a hose bard. I provided them with the barb so the $37 was for 1/2 hour of labor alone. They said it's because it's cast aluminum so it's a longer process. I kinda feel like they over charged me but wanted to hear some thoughts from you welders. 2 weeks ago I had them weld in an IAT bung on my aluminum TB elbow and they charged me $20. Took them around 15-20 mins to do. I'm not complaining but I have other stuff I need welded so I figured I should ask this question now.

BTW, not many welding shops around here (Mooresville- Race City Area) that can weld aluminum and the ones that do are typically doing work for NASCAR or other high end clients. That might be why their prices are higher.
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Shop rates are typically over $75 an hour in this area. If you have a lot of welding needed, get it all done at once, could probably get a flat rate.
 
aluminum welding it a bit touchy. always the opportunity to buy a mig set up and practice up. even for a basic mig set up with spool gun and argon tank, it will set you back about $1100. do a few jobs for folks cheaper than the others will do it and maybe you can make some cash back. but be careful ,all your dsm friends will want you to weld for free...;) anyway , remember the old saying : " when it comes to any trade there are only three options ,good,fast and cheap,and you can only pick two of the three"
 
aluminum welding it a bit touchy. always the opportunity to buy a mig set up and practice up. even for a basic mig set up with spool gun and argon tank, it will set you back about $1100. do a few jobs for folks cheaper than the others will do it and maybe you can make some cash back. but be careful ,all your dsm friends will want you to weld for free...;) anyway , remember the old saying : " when it comes to any trade there are only three options ,good,fast and cheap,and you can only pick two of the three"
Good point and I wish I could afford a mig set up right now because I would definitely do it. After asking around, apparently cast aluminum is more difficult than standard aluminum.
 
They may have charged you a bit to much on in time I doubt it took them 1/2 to weld that but who knows

at the shop I work at we charge $70 if I did that for a customer it only would have been a 15min job

some cast alum's are a bi*** to weld but that intake tube should have welded like butter.
 
I'm sure they bill at half hour increments because otherwise it's just not worth their time to take such a small job. You got a fair deal and I say that based on the bajillion small one-off jobs I've contracted out to people (look at my car if you have any doubt on my experience with things like this), seeing the whole range of bills from shops taking a loss on my stupid little tasks to totally trying to screw me over.
 
I'm sure they bill at half hour increments because otherwise it's just not worth their time to take such a small job. You got a fair deal and I say that based on the bajillion small one-off jobs I've contracted out to people (look at my car if you have any doubt on my experience with things like this), seeing the whole range of bills from shops taking a loss on my stupid little tasks to totally trying to screw me over.
I appreciate the responses. I see your point and yeah it makes sense now. I agree with a91eagletalon that it was probably only a 15 min job but I understand the business. Just wanted to make sure I'm being charged close to a fair rate and that seems to be the case. Thanks
 
tig is pretty and strong, but i have welded an fittings into aluminum valve covers and tubing ,and it looked nice
and didnt leak at all. i pressure tested pipes under water at 50 psi with no bubbles. tig is an artform ,but a decent mig spool gun will get the job done. as for the expense of having someone weld it for you ,if someone has the epuipment and expertise , they should make some money. plus it beats shipping it off and the cost that goeswith it.
 
37 bucks is fine. I paid 30 on a $75 hourly labor charge to have my catalytic converter fixed with a new flange welded. it was about 15mins from a very reputable shop that does custom exhaust pipes too but every shop is gonna charge that 1 hour regardless of how quick the work is done. If they are nice.......maybe they'll charge you half.
 
At this point I'm confident I was charged a fair price. I think I'm gonna go ahead and start looking into doing my own welding. I'm a video editor now but around 10 years ago I worked at a metal furniture manufacturing company and I was pretty good at welding that stuff. I could also do nice pewter designs on chairs using a grinder. Not trying to say I'd be a great welder but I feel like with some practice I could handle these small tasks.
 
I think the bung was a great price while the barb was a little overcharged. Maybe ask how much next time or ask why the difference in price (Material dif?)

I was charged 25 once to have a bung welded on a downpipe.
 
Sounds about right with the price, have you tried any places in Concord? It maybe a drive for you since you are in the Mooresvillle/Huntersville area.
 
$37 isn't too bad to be honest. Most places around here (i think even AMS) charge over 100/hr plus material.
Cast aluminum welding is hit or miss. It can go great or like crap real quick. Prep work is where you spend most of your money. If you pre drilled the hole, wire brushed it, and filed the inside so it was literally ready to weld I'm sure it would have been $20.

If someone brought that to me, I would charge $20-$25
 
$37 isn't too bad to be honest. Most places around here (i think even AMS) charge over 100/hr plus material.
Cast aluminum welding is hit or miss. It can go great or like crap real quick. Prep work is where you spend most of your money. If you pre drilled the hole, wire brushed it, and filed the inside so it was literally ready to weld I'm sure it would have been $20.

If someone brought that to me, I would charge $20-$25

Yeah I wish you were close by because I would definitely be using your services! btw the custom catch can you fabricated for me is working great :thumb:
 
Great. Glad to hear it! Give me a review on Fb if you have time.
If you need anything welded you can always drop it in the mail. I will give out any deals I can.
 
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