Questions to ask a welder before fabrication begins

[nickel plate]

I have designed a shotgun scabbard holder for my tractor and am now looking for a local welder to stick it together. The job will have 32 welds 2" long and 9 welds 3" long. The materials to be welded are 1/4"x1", 1/4"x2" and 3/8"x3" mild flat steel. Visualize a birdcage type of construction 26" tall and 5" wide that a synthetic scabbard slides into and bolts to the tractor. For the final finish I'm thinking powder coat or?
1. What type of welding tool should be used assuming all welded areas are of easy access?
2. What type of wire or rod should be used?
3. Anything else that I need to know to ask the welder?
Thanks

 

[Shield Arc]

Good rule of thumb, never tell a man how to do is job. Just tell him what you want.

I personally would Mig weld it.

 

[deereman75]

Good rule of thumb, never tell a man how to do is job. Just tell him what you want.

I personally would Mig weld it.

agreed, remember he is the welder, not you. He will know for sure how to do it, so just let him do it.

 

[nickel plate]

Thanks guys but I'm not in the habit of telling an expert anything, I'm asking you what should or not be used.

 

[deereman75]

I would probably use a stick welder with a 6011 or 7014, based on the thickness (and the fact I only have a buzz box and a cutting torch) a MIG would also work very well.

 

[Shield Arc]

You gotta remember if you go to a pro, it's all about money to him, time is money. He's going to do it the fastest way possible. I'll bet cha it's Mig .035, ER70S-6

 

[rjmack]

if you have a tractor, and a gun, then you should know how do your own welding.:thumbsup:

 

[yomax4]

You can buy a smaller tig stick unit for what it will cost to have it welded and you get to keep the welder. Cool 1st project for You and you can say You made it. It will be very easy once you get started.

Do it.
:thumbsup:

 

[JimRB]

I have gone to my friend's shop to make something. He was out of stock of the materials I wanted to use. When I go back the thing is made better than I would have done it. I have also gone to his shop, cut and welded all day. Stuff I made worked fine. Anytime I get something tricky I cannot do at home with my Hobart Handler 140 I go to visit his shop. He has much bigger and better tools and the experience than I ever want to have.

 

[cowski]

i would weld it with that handler. it should be plenty for a gun holder.just at first ,do not try it out bush hogging.