Small weld repairs in SoMD?

[av8bpilot]

Anyone in SoMD (Calvert or St Mary's Counties) have a go-to source for good welding repairs? I have a small patch panel I need welded to my 66 Fiat's cooling fan housing and a couple fab shops around have quoted 2-3 weeks turnaround and well north of what I would think is fair $.

Just looking for a patch panel for the large hole and patch welds for the torn out spot welds in the picture.

Thanks!

/I really need to get myself a welder... ugh

[ducatithunder]

Do you have the patch or does that need to been made? I may be able to do it for you when I get back stateside in a few weeks. End of December or so. I'm up outside Annapolis.

[av8bpilot]

Do you have the patch or does that need to been made? I may be able to do it for you when I get back stateside in a few weeks. End of December or so. I'm up outside Annapolis.

I don't, but I could probably pick up a 6" patch panel somewhere. Let me look around and I'll let you know. Thank you.

[BillC]

If ducatithunder can't get to it in time for you, I can do this also. Although, it is a bit further drive.

Also, do you want the torn-out spot welds plugged, or do you want to have the parts re-attached to the spots?

[av8bpilot]

Just plugged. They held on the old original assembly that I cut out.

[Vicegrip]

Looks like a good 30 min of my time spent and while you wait but you will have a bit of a drive to Woodstock VA.

[BlackTalon]

damn, there's gotta be a couple nice country-boy shops around down there to support all the farmers. And possibly run by some of the mechanics from PAX. You know any farmers down there you can ask? Or can you go by a hanger and start asking around?

[av8bpilot]

damn, there's gotta be a couple nice country-boy shops around down there to support all the farmers. And possibly run by some of the mechanics from PAX. You know any farmers down there you can ask? Or can you go by a hanger and start asking around?

I know, right? The work from home has put a damper on some of the asking around, but that's about where I'm at. One shop quoted me $200 "because I would have to TIG weld it since it's so thin" and another wanted 2 hours labor @ $75/hr for it. GTFO with that nonsense.

Part of the (self-inflicted) problem is that I deleted Facebook, so reaching out to some of the local groups is a bit more difficult these days.

[ducatithunder]

I know, right? The work from home has put a damper on some of the asking around, but that's about where I'm at. One shop quoted me $200 "because I would have to TIG weld it since it's so thin" and another wanted 2 hours labor @ $75/hr for it. GTFO with that nonsense.

Part of the (self-inflicted) problem is that I deleted Facebook, so reaching out to some of the local groups is a bit more difficult these days.



Welding is a skilled trade. I grew up down in Calvert. I know there are shops. Mostly weld fab shops. I’m sure they could mig it but you need to check the heat input or it’s gonna warp. I’m sure there is about 30 mins of prep work and another 30-40 welding and finishing. Add making the patch and cutting to fit. Time is money.

No different then going to a pcar shop to have dog teeth removed from a gear. I had all the tools needed but lacked the special tool. That wanted $200 to press it off. 5 mind of work. I was willing to pay $50 for the work. I walked out and bought the needed tool instead. That wasn’t a skilled trade either.

[av8bpilot]

I don’t want to shit on skilled trades by any means. But from a pure economic standpoint, a nice cast aluminum piece that does the same job is $200, so it doesn’t make any sense to try a more ‘classic hot rod’ method if it winds up costing more than a production piece.

I’d be happy handing over $100 or so, but it quickly gets ridiculous above that for a single 12-15” bead.

[cmartin]

A couple tacks to a provided panel is different than prep, fab panel, weld, finish... but I hear you, it doesnt have to be a ton of work. You could just use rivets or adhesive, not sure the level of finish you expect. For $200 you can buy a HF welder and have at it with beer money leftover. :)

[jbailey930]

You should try some of the marinas. The guys at Reliable Marine front desk are very friendly and helpful. I am sure they know someone that could do that for you.