[CobraStang161]

Originally Posted by echastain88 Just out of curiosity then, how much is the going rate per square inch? Estimated guess?

$10/sq. inch for MIG
$15/sq. inch for TIG

is usually the going rate.

[echastain88]

Dont get me wrong, im not saying he shouldnt get paid at all, but i just think i paid at least twice what the work is worth.
I mean come on, im a college kid and i help people out all the time with various things that they otherwise cant do themselves. Using my vehicles and my manpower to help them move for example. Ive never expected anything from them. This coming from a job that could cost 100's of dollars ( i know what the going rate for moving and expenses is, i worked for a moving company for a while)

[Wh1t3F1sh]

You can find them in any walmart automotive department. It's right next to the RTV. Let me see if I can find a link...

[CobraStang161]

If you think you got ripped off, then go out and spend $4000 buying the equiptment yourself. Easy as that.

[wishIhada5.0]

are we really still bitching about $40? this thread fails lol

[Wh1t3F1sh]

Walmart.com: Blue Magic QuikSteel Epoxy Putty, 2 oz: Automotive

[wishIhada5.0]

reps to OP...thanks

edit: I see you're from PA...whereabouts in PA?

[Wh1t3F1sh]

It's only like $4 and it perfectly wrapped around my manifold to seal the leak. Much better than spending hours trying to fix it, or spending $$$ having a shop fix it.

[eddy21x]

i think they are overpriced to
brother got charged 120 to fix an exhaust leak at the muffler which was no bigger than 1/4 inch

[Woodman]

Originally Posted by echastain88 Dont get me wrong, im not saying he shouldnt get paid at all, but i just think i paid at least twice what the work is worth. I mean come on, im a college kid and i help people out all the time with various things that they otherwise cant do themselves. Using my vehicles and my manpower to help them move for example. Ive never expected anything from them. This coming from a job that could cost 100's of dollars ( i know what the going rate for moving and expenses is, i worked for a moving company for a while)

So let me ask you something...

When you help move people out of the goodness of your heart, do they provide pizza and beer, or just push you out the door when you're done? Do you see random strangers moving and just start working, or do you do it primarily for close family/friends?

Now to make it relevant, was the welder a family member or friend? Neighbor? Or was he just some guy with a shop that you drove up to? Did you get a quote? Did you even ask how much before he put the car on the lift?

If not, he could have charged you $100 and it would have been fair because you didn't call/ask around first to get the best deal. Secondly, while it may have been 15 minutes, it's still all the associated expenses involved, AND while you think $20 is fair, apparently he didn't. I don't know where you get that $20 is fair as you have no welding experience, none of the tools, and are just pulling the number out of your butt.

As I said earlier, I am a computer repairman. I do everything from kill viruses to building complete servers. I give estimates before I do the job, and I quote prices on hardware to cover my expenses. Don't like what I charge? Buy it yourself and I'll install your parts. Don't like my hourly rate? Find someone else. It's that simple.

I understand you're in college and $40 is hard to come by. Hell, I'm 37 years old and $40 is hard to come by some weeks. That's why you need to shop around, and not bitch about it when you got what most people on here called a fair price. By the time you buy your welding equipment, take the classes, and learn what you're doing you will have spent thousands to save $40, and honestly how often do you NEED to weld something right now? I'm willing to bet this is the first time you've needed something welded, and is your only experience with a welder. Good luck to you next time finding as good a deal.

[CobraStang161]

Originally Posted by Woodman So let me ask you something... When you help move people out of the goodness of your heart, do they provide pizza and beer, or just push you out the door when you're done? Do you see random strangers moving and just start working, or do you do it primarily for close family/friends? Now to make it relevant, was the welder a family member or friend? Neighbor? Or was he just some guy with a shop that you drove up to? Did you get a quote? Did you even ask how much before he put the car on the lift? If not, he could have charged you $100 and it would have been fair because you didn't call/ask around first to get the best deal. Secondly, while it may have been 15 minutes, it's still all the associated expenses involved, AND while you think $20 is fair, apparently he didn't. I don't know where you get that $20 is fair as you have no welding experience, none of the tools, and are just pulling the number out of your butt. As I said earlier, I am a computer repairman. I do everything from kill viruses to building complete servers. I give estimates before I do the job, and I quote prices on hardware to cover my expenses. Don't like what I charge? Buy it yourself and I'll install your parts. Don't like my hourly rate? Find someone else. It's that simple. I understand you're in college and $40 is hard to come by. Hell, I'm 37 years old and $40 is hard to come by some weeks. That's why you need to shop around, and not bitch about it when you got what most people on here called a fair price. By the time you buy your welding equipment, take the classes, and learn what you're doing you will have spent thousands to save $40, and honestly how often do you NEED to weld something right now? I'm willing to bet this is the first time you've needed something welded, and is your only experience with a welder. Good luck to you next time finding as good a deal.

couldnt have made it any clearer. I have about $7000 worth of welding equipment in my shop. It is NOT cheap...

[MustangMatt96GT]

Just to run my tig welder is close to 10 bucks per hour. That's just electricity. If he used a gas welder gas isn't cheap. 40 bucks is more than fair!

[Thunderscrash]

Originally Posted by Woodman So let me ask you something... When you help move people out of the goodness of your heart, do they provide pizza and beer, or just push you out the door when you're done? Do you see random strangers moving and just start working, or do you do it primarily for close family/friends?

Thats exactly what I was thinking. 40 really doesnt seem that bad. And I bet he did a hell of a job. Just remember more time than not you get what you pay for.

[Cabikejumper]

I spent 65.00 back in the day when my old car broke a connecting rod. He literally cranked car knew what it was and charged flat rate of 65.00.

Don't know how broke a rod. All I tried to do was start the car.


I have same manifold leak. I've used putty that we put on oil rig pipe to secure the sub ends. Lasts for awhile but the heat breaks it down. And that's 200.00 a box

[prowatt!]

Originally Posted by echastain88 40 bucks, for 10 minutes worth of work, just doesnt sit well with me. Im scared to see what they would charge for installing subframes. At an hourly rate that would equate to 240/hr. And before anyone says im fudging the time, from the time i pulled in, talked to the guy about what i needed, had the work done, and paid for the transaction, it had been 15 minutes total by the time i was pulling out of their parking lot.

The bungs are worth $6-$8 each themselves (guess). Gas probably a few bucks, the lift, welding....I think you got a great deal.

[Wh1t3F1sh]

Originally Posted by wishIhada5.0 reps to OP...thanks edit: I see you're from PA...whereabouts in PA?

Sorry bud, didn't see your question at the bottom. I'm from Fleetwood, just outside of Reading. About 60 miles north-west of Philly.

[Cabikejumper]

I just bought two things of this magic putty. I am going to see if this really works on my massive exhaust manifold to x pipe leak.

[Cabikejumper]

Wow. Reps to op. my leak is fully sealed using this stuff.

[Mustang46]

Yeah, the stuff works good. I have even used it on a gas tank that had a rust hole in it (old farm truck). I was just glad I didn't have to drop the tank to get it fixed on that rusty piece of junk.... It saved me alot of worry and time.

[Wh1t3F1sh]

Originally Posted by Cabikejumper Wow. Reps to op. my leak is fully sealed using this stuff.

Thanks bud! This stuff has been great so far. I think I need to buy another tube because im starting to hear a very slight noise. But that's my own fault for not applying it perfect. It was getting dark so I couldnt see if I had filled in the leak completely. But I am more than satisfied with it. Only prob is the stuff smells like ass when it heats up lol.