GETTING STARTED AS A PIPELINE RIG WELDER ON A BUDGET (HOW I DID IT)
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 9 ม.ค. 2020
- GETTING STARTED AS A PIPELINE RIG WELDER ON A BUDGET (HOW I DID IT)
In this video, I’m going to share with you the cost of setting up a starter welding rig. Hi! I’m Austin Ross a pipeline welder and here on this channel I like to share tips and tricks like this pipeline welding rig setup. I’ve built a few pipeline weld rigs but nothing has quit compared to my first pipeline welding rig. I know full well how to set up a welding rig truck when you are new and even broke! Lets teach you how to start your own welding rig on a budget so you don’t have to wait longer than necessary for that career change you are looking into.
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I don’t welding on the pipeline. I do mobile welding close to home though. I started with $5000 cash bought a truck welder generator and some hand tools with it. That was about 2 years ago, now I’m looking to set up my own shop for cash. By 25 years old I’ll have a welding truck and shop paid for. It’s possible to do it. Not everyone is in the same boat. But we all start somewhere. Great video Austin
Alright man, im looking to take the same dive you are. Looking to get into some welding class at Ivy Tech near me and would love to do close to home mobile or if the moneys good enough close contract work. One year since you posted this comment, how are things going?
Damn dude, good work
How did you start getting business??
@@okieboyz815 just got out and started talking to people. advertised with ads in the paper and business cards anywhere I could leave them. then posted pictures of jobs on facebook
Question what type of welding do u do asking, I'm interested in getting into welding myself
Good advice. I started in 1978. And didn't buy anything new till 2016. My house and shop were paid for in 1992. And just because it's new doesn't mean it doesn't break down. Tow truck, new water pump, and radiator . $2600. As of 4/9/2024, I have 124983 miles on the F550, 2823 hours on the Trailblazer 325 EFI.
Really helps if you can work on your own equipment. Take as many classes in High School as you can that are related to welding, small engines, plumbing, wood working and electrical. Great message and pay for your stuff as you go. Stay out of debt.
My school offers woodworking, small engines and welding. I'm doing a ton of welding classes and 2 woodworking classes. I think I signed up for every welding class they offer! Sadly no plumbing or electrical stuff.
@@rebbattt7526
This is great, these are skills that will serve you your whole life. Electrical part and plumbing were just basic skills. Wiring a light and a outlet and soldering copper & threading pipe. Your basic math skills all tie in here also.
I just bought a bed and already have my own set of bottles, I need to outfit my bed to hold them and get a machine and fit it as well but I’m getting there slowly but surely.
It takes money to make money! Great advice!
Spend Money Get Money.
AKA an investment, nothing is free
Bro my old head just said that before I watched this talk about wise words!
Man I’m loving this guy, been doing maintenance work but ready to escape. Thanks for putting these together.
Austin , i pipelined for 25 yrs, i didnt start out on tie-ins! i spent most of my years on tie ins but the first experience was on the firing line. got chased off the first job for a couple of repairs. i never let the inspector get me again. You never tell the boys about the firing line and the etiquette required there.
I love every piece of content you post, which actually helped me gather apples too start my own channel. Love N Peace!
It’s always good to bring a person who knows more about mechanic with you when buying cars
Subscribed today. I started welding at college in September and so far I love it. Took me 4 days to finally get my vertical weld up to par, and today I stated overhead and got it first try. It's funny how different positions are trickier, once my instructor showed me these little tips it made my weld so much better and easier. I was starting off with my hands to my belly but when I got to the too of the weld I'd be over extending my shoulders which just made it hard to keep the weld steady. Little things and tips make a huge difference. I could go on and on but this comment is already huge lol
with overhead push with vertical down you pull whip
Welding in the field is a whole different story
How’s it going after 2 years
I run my 95 2wd around town for work and it does great. Not the best for the pipeline but it works for what I’m doing now. It doesn’t get any better than those 12 valves
I'm running a 73 F-350
Great video. Always enjoy your videos
I run a Lincoln ranger 225, on a 1990 f350 dually, you don’t have to start with a big welder, and those smaller welders will do you fine for about anything you do, the reason they aren’t seen on pipeline is because they aren’t designed to run 8+ hours a day every day, like a sa200 is. I’ve done it but it makes the machines wear out faster
I got a 1995 Ford F350 EXT 7.3l diesel with pipe bevlers from 2"-18", tons of Norton abrasives, oxy-fuel tanks with 100' of lead on a reel, 200' of 1g leads on a reel system for the truck, jack stands, tons of tools for $4500 from a good friend. Got a disassembled SA200 Blackface 1978 with less than 10 hours on the entire machine for $200 from another friend, rebuilt it for $900 and wired it to the F350. Now to find work. Great video.
A truck with oxy fuel for $4500?
Can we be friends? 😅
@@mpj-nc6wq yes.
@@welderdude1 bruh I work at a pipe shop and there's a ford f250 7.3 4x4 diesel with everything on there besides the miller. It has everything. I know how much my boss got it for. I'm trying get that hoe. I have my own generator. The generator he put is like 15k. But the truck he got it for like 5 or 6k. It's so nice. My step bro is a diesel mechanic for any maintence
And the truck is just sitting there collecting dust. And the same company has there own rig welder welding pipe within the suburbs. I live in cali. There paying these guys like 55hr or 60. Even some little kid like 18 year was on the field. I was like dam this kid shtting on me God dam
Nice Video, helpful information!
Im almost done with my new welding rig but i don't have a big enough welder yet for the pipeline to be a pipeline welder yet. So after I get my rig done im going to try and get in the pipeline industries as a welder helper or an operator to start out as for now.
I really enjoy your videos Austin. You and Kayla both. Y’all seem like a real cute and happy couple. I’m a 798 member too, and I feel like y’all are giving real solid advice. Keep it up brother.
I’m not a Welder but my buddy is a pipeliner in Alberta. For a truck his biggest advice for reliability is a solid front axle in a 4x4 truck.
94 Dodge 2500 4x4 gasser. Bought it from utility company with 235,000 miles and a utility box. I have had nicer and bigger rigs , but the ol 94 never let me down. Ever
I just started welding. Planning on going into pipeline in 5 years. Buying my 93 powerstroke this year so i can get it mechanically sound before that time
Im glad i started to learn welding especially living in Massachusetts where most cars have a lot of rust so if i buy a old used car i can do the rust repairs myself
Awesome vid and edits and filming and trucks
Great advice
Ross you are the boss
Interesting thought on the bobcats and trailblazers. I never seem to hear of pipeline guys running them, but even big structural crews i've worked with run them. I've seen them run for pipe work quite often, but rarely pipeline stuff.
Austin, I am finding your videos helpful thank you! fyi the Resources are not accessible on your site, I am considering setting up a mobile rig and would love to see your tool lists. Thanks again, Cody
My first welder was an sa250 diesel paid 1800 for it and put 2000 into it still using it today
I'm 15 and watching this because I wanna be a pipeline welder
Same
Same here
Yup me too
Same here
Same
Hey I love your videos quick question do you think a Miller trailblazer 302 diesel would be a good start for pipeline
I have a one ton chevy flatbed from the 90's could this be a good start?
My buddy has a 05 ram 1500 mega cab with 3/4 ton rear springs and only 95k miles and in pretty decent shape and his set up is a Lincoln ranger 250, 1 full oxygen 1 full acetylene, 125ft of stinger lead, 100ft of negative with clamp, 75ft of hose for torch, 2 torch sets, 2 stingers plus what he has on his leads, a half dozen sparkers, 2 Dewalt Grinders with about a dozen 7 and 9 inch discs, about 2 boxes worth of random rods, a old beat up tractor supply tool box to hold all his stuff, and a Busch Beer keg we cut and grinded out to use as a trash can. All his tools, machine, and bottles he already had since his dad ans brother were both welders and his truck he paid cash for. He's 17 and he's just starting out with helping around like working for the Amish and local farms that need stuff and I help him as his assistant for torch and grinding
I started with a $3400 Miller wildcat mounted to the back of a full sized Dodge Ram. Mounted a set of bottles, and a small knack box for tools and that cost me less than $5,000. Already had the truck.
Austin you make this shit interesting i am a beginner but I have been certified in a few different processes thank you for making these kind of videos
Pleasure is all mine! Thank you for watching!
First off...thanks for the videos man. Your my favorite pipeline channel to watch.
Second off....I have seen a few guys run single cab f250 (or similar) with a tub setup and do just fine. It's not easy but if your not pulling a big camper and keep tools to the basics it's all good!
Lastly....I personally know a guy that runs a killer bobcat on one of his rigs for anything up to 8in pipelining, but primarily for maintenance work such as punch ts, services, etc. I've watched him run 12in .375 wall main with a bobcat for two weeks straight. The small machines will work but big pipe can wear them down quick.
I'd love to see you get a little into what is needed to get out as far as insurance, liability, etc if you ever can. Money is scary for guys and gals who have a family but want to go out on their own.
Thanks again!
Thanks for sharing. I’ll take note of this topic. 👌
Austin Ross this is the side we don’t hear about let us know brother
Thanks for the advice! I'm currently in the process of purchasing my first rig, and the bed still needs work but hey it's a start right? The sweet part is the guy is throwing in a rollout wheel with it. But my main question is the bed needs Fenders, and I really dig the pipe Fender and I was wondering wat size do they use for the Fenders to make the fenders on the Bed.
A lot of guys use 6” 3R 90’s. I think it’s pretty much a long radius 90. They are very expensive so I actually used a standard 10” 90. Or 2 90s.
Very helpful
I am 25 currently building my first welding truck
Dude I'm 24 have been a mechanic for a while and seriously thinking about getting into welding.
My truck is a 1995 f350 2 wheel drive single cab with a 7.5L 460 its done great for me im gonna swap the engine out for a 5.9 cummins mechanical everything but not till the 460 engine in it now dies i oaid 1000k for the truck it needed fuel tansk but the clear cost was peeling but not a single dent or scratch on it looked brand new inside the cab i only weld for people around my area and my self on our small farm but not a new shinny flashing truck but it gets the work done and has not let me down and it was the same body style truck my dad used when i was little so that matters to me to
Is a big truck needed or is it preferred ima go into welding and i dont have a big truck especially with these gass prices lately it makes me look away from them lol i have a 91 isuzu pickup 2.3l 2wd 5speed single cab short bed that i was going to tern into a flat bed whats your thoughts?
What is a good hours to buy a sa 200 or 300?
Meat a guy on the pipeline who was running his miller bobcat put over 6k hours on it till he upgraded to something bigges
Meat
@Crankster Gangster that’s why he’s on the pipeline lol ain’t no English major
I don’t chase pipelines but I do chase pipe in downtown Houston on mechanical piping gas etc. and I run a bobcat 250 gas and it seems to do the job and I do 24 inch all the way down to 3/4 natural gas lines why don’t you see the bobcats and gxts more often on the pipelines?
Would I be able to run a 120 amp Mig welder On a 7000 Watt generator or should I just save up for a gas powered welder trying to do mobile welding on the side Business graduated from Welding school a year ago been Welding at at this place called
Valmont utility Welding cracks on utility poles
Can you give me a welder recommendation. I have a good bit of background with production welding and welding where you plug it into a wall.
I have 0 background in generator welders. I general lean to miller, but i suppose im open to other options.
Im wanting to fix my own fences, weld truck frames, fixing suspension mounts, hitches, farm implements. Basically anything from thin stuff, down to 1/8 inch id say right up to welding heavy mild steel like a farm implement or truck frame and so on.
What should i be looking for used? Year range, power output, any bad years of engines?
Thank you for your help your video was a big help.
Just bought my first rig for 5k victor torch to big tanks for it nice compressor Miller big 50 service body f350 dually manual with pipe rack 120k miles on it. Drove it 9 hours the first day the truck is from 1988 and the equipments old but it all works and the truck passed inspection. Good deal???
Are you allowed to have your rig setup on a trailer on the pipeline I do not have a pickup I have a suburban
Feel better brother
It's going around!🤧🤒
Hi would somebody talk me through buying a full truckload of used oil field pipe? I live in Missouri
I'm not ready for pipeline welding. I do want to get paid for small welding repairs and fabrication offsite. What kid of truck would be good to house a generator and everlast tig / stick welder?
Ganhou mais um inscrito ‘salve Brasil 🇧🇷 morando hoje em Boston,trabalhei com solda no Brasil durante 13 anos,estou pensando em trabalhar na área de sola,mas é difícil
Hey what can I do to make the most money out of welding in Oklahoma near Texas, on my own? Like what do people want the most like those H frames for fences or what bro?
Who has more steady work, union or non?
If I was having to drive 15 plus hours to weld would I be better with a 2 door or 4 door
Do you have an opinion on the new harbor freight Vulcan 195 gas engine welder? From a beginner rig stand point.
Buy a Honda EU3000IS generator and a small portable machine that runs off 110V or 230V single phase. If you’re doing stick or tig under 140amps, you can run this quite efficiently for doing things like fencing, gates, etc. pipelines need a bigger generator DC machine
You can do a dual or even triple high amperage alternator pushing 240 amps each and just use your truck to run a normal welding machine instead of buying the diesel welder it could also run the rest of your equipment I think mechman makes the best high output alternator and dual and triple mounting kits can be custom machined or found for each style truck.
Hey Austin and everyone one else, I just recently found you channel and love the advice you have. I'm taking a leap later this year and going into fabrication and working towards pipeline, I notice you mention knowing people, well I'm doing a bunch of big fab projects to my jeep right now and was wondering if anyone thinks that it would give me a better chance trying to start before or after I complete the projects?
I bought a 2wd flatbed 2006 Duramax Diesel 60,000 miles $10,000 good deal not the most ideal thing 12 foot bed but it Works even got a Hoist on it i built for it works great for fence down side of it was its Huge 22 feet long 8 feet wide not including mirrors and its heavy 10,000lbs with nothing on it but makes me money and can make it work
I have a 1993 f350 5.8l crew cab gas flat bed dually all I need to do to it is a new transmission
I came off my first job as a helper and bought a bobcat 250 for $500 that I hat I did fencing and Little stuff for money and practice on pipe then I left my second helper job and bought an sa200 for $4000 and I’m still helping but I’m practicing and hoping to break out on the next one
Do you run any kind of surge protection on your truck to keep from frying electronics if you weld something on the bed?
Personally, all the electronics on my truck is just electronic ignition. But I have welded on it before, and it's never hurt anything as far as I can tell.
Now we have offer up where you can purchase bottles for 100$ or so.
Airgas does exchanges when you want to refill.
I'm 29 and still learning different and potential ways to make money. I grew up aroubd diesel mechanic and owner operator, my dad owned and workwd on semis and since I was kbee high to a duck ive had a wrench in my hands, then in high school when I was 15 and hit the welding shop and the possibilities are endless now. Thabks foe the videos 🤠👍 keep'em goin
U know our local (798) also has that rig rental thing now
Stupid question but I have a 94' ford ranger, Gas 4.0 V6, and it is 2 wheel drive. I am in high school and wont be getting out of my state much. Do ya think that I could weld out of it?
You'd really mess up the rear suspension with all the weight. Actually might snap the frame over time. 3/4 ton is the lightest duty I'd use.
I got a quote this week on bottles he siad for the bottles and to fill them 700 hundred it was 300 a piece so 600 for both and 75 to fill
Hey bro Austin I have a question how long will it take you to use a new 50 lb electrodes when welding all day every day thanks man.
Depends on what size of rod. As far as being on tie ins or fabrication A box of 1/8 bead rod will last way longer than a box of 3/16. But if a guys runnin beads all day then all he would be welding with is bead rod all day so he would there for go through a box of bead rod faster.
I was once told by someone that if you are pipeline welding people wouldnt consider hiring you if you had an old used truck thats seen some miles... which made no sense to me because I would think they'd hire based on your performance in welding over the looks of your truck.
I think i had 25k into my firat rig set up.. old miller pro 400 with 4500 hrs.. run down beveling machines... 2005 6.0 powerstroke dually with 175k miles and a bed i built that i still refuse to show pictures of to this day 😂
Hey Austin why do most guys not paint their rig beds
2wd with a Locker and chains....90% of time you'll be fine.
And descent tires
Agreed and lifted 2 inches 33s or 31s, g80 locker, and 90s gmc will get you anywhere
Grapps
Debatable in Colorado Rockies
@@kleanbeatzsupreme3569 i dunno sand and plow trucks are rwd and use just chains.
can you pipeline weld without a DL. or could you use a helper to drive for you?
You will probably get made fun of for being drove around. Work on getting your DL. Shouldnt be too hard and if your helper drives, he should be on your insurance
Rammer6.7 Follow you need a DL because sometimes the safety guy for your company will want to see you DL and insurance because the company is essentially renting your truck so they want to make sure you have all that because your driving a lot. Get your DL!
hey Austin,
can you go over or point me to one of your vids concerning dually's..pros and cons. I have a regular gmc 2500 denali , 3/4 ton, and if I got all my welding gear...welder and tools( already have lotsa tools) would it be to heavy? I guess I'd have what you all call a tub set up. is it usually to much weight for a normal truck?
You bet.
th-cam.com/video/jVrGsecf1Lg/w-d-xo.html
@@arosswelding thanks man!
Hey I have a question have you ever worked in Tunkhannock Pa because that's where I live
I have. That was my first job in pa. Check out this video:
th-cam.com/video/YVeZpZ2hm3M/w-d-xo.html
@@arosswelding I'm glad my town was your first job and thanks for the link my friends and I watch you at vo-tech
I got a 4x6 trailer an was gone start with that .
I think I saw your rig in Mississippi
How much can make is what I want to know
Do I need a rig truck to do pipeline welding? Or do companies supply the welding machine?
Depends where your working... most of the time unless your getting a company truck you will supply the machine
Contrators liability insurance is always a good idea to carry
Fresh outta tech school
I Have A Chevy Cheyenne Single Cab 4x4 8 Lug Long Bed 😎 I Want To Turn Into A Welding Rig.
I just started getting the pipe do you have to have a SA-200 Lincoln welder or could I use a Miller bobcat just to start out I get the bigger welder to use
Currently planning out how to build my truck. 2wd v6 Dakota. Gonna build a flatbed for it as soon as I can scrape together the money.
I have a feeling your gonna run into issues with the weight capacity of that truck. Dakotas aren’t great for a lot extra weight
That’s a very light duty truck for heavy duty work. A steel bed will max out the trucks capacity and if you add a welder on top of that your over weight.
I am a shop stainless tig welder. I've got 5 years experience and I live on the space coast. I'm completely lost on how to start out being a travel welder.
Come work down in the Permian! Lol, west Texas/south New Mexico.
Ace B they hiring
I’ve got a 2006 f350 and an 89 SA200 and I’m wrapped up in my rig for $14,500
Ive got a 2002 2500hd flat bed paid 2500 for it and just bought a new bobcat 225
Some guys like to go all out and get the newest dually and miller pipe pro....man oh man do they get into debt right from the boot! Guys listen to Austin he knows his stuff! Your lifestyle will be as smooth as a peeled egg.
I was given a lincoln 305g engine drive machine for my bday and what's the best bet to make money with this machine? I know the pipeline require 3 cylinders machine and up so what's my option on the lincoln 305g and is good to pipe job on construction and how do I get myself started with this machine anyway I been welding for over 10 years on shipyards and power plants and nuclear now want to start my own rig and I own a nissan frontier 2008 4wd will that work as a rig welder? Please let me know
SA 200 for 3500$ is a steal! I’m looking for a machine right now an old 90’s Lincoln but I don’t wanna spend more than 7 or 8gs lol
Prices on SA 200 vary across the US. In Texas they are high, because a lot of working is going on. When the bust hits, you can not give one away because every body is broke.
I got mine for like $3000. 81 blackface.
I sold my 68 redface 3 years ago for 2800.....damn good machine too, high in maintenance though but other than that, it was awesome
Have a 55 shorthood, got it for 500.00 with a stuck engine. Probably have 3000.00 in it. Got it unstuck( pistons and valves) , had a cracked head, the wrong magneto. Got another head,No 1 exhaust valve did a cleaning and grinding, New piston rings, New zenith carb, another air cleaner, bought a rebuilt governor, another magneto , then wired for remote and built a remote, added electronic idler kit. Runs and welds great and have learned a lot working on it.
Yeah I’m in Texas and finding a machine isn’t hard but I would have to put in some money to make it run and weld good.
Hey I’m a new subscriber hope all is well bud.
Thank you for subscribing!
Also need to mention Tractor Supply sells exchange bottles for CO2/argon mix, acetylene and oxygen small tanks and large tanks do believe it's called gas Pony Thoroughbred tanks and that program works just like you was changing out your BBQ tank oh they have the propane tanks too
check prices before you comit to tsc bottels in centeral texas they run double to more than double than the local welding shop.
@@eddiegirvan2394 that's good to know I live in Ohio but like Austin said most companies give you bottles I mentioned it as an option for someone doing stuff around the house it is a long-term commitment but that is good information
Trying to break out in the next year
Can you use something like a Hobart champion elite or bobcat for pipeline?
Fork up the cash, get a machine, it will pay for itself, expand tools... that’s what I did
I’m 17 years ole and bought a 2wd 93 dodge Cummins 200k miles for 5500 then I bought a welding bed for 750. After that I went and bought an sa 200 for 3k. I just thought it was kinda funny how both of our prices were really close to the same😂 and I’m just doing work around home right now building pipe fence and pipe corners and h-braces I live in buffalo ok.
Damon Stephens thats awesome Dude!
How much you charge an hour
@@rougeone1394 I usually charge by the job
$600 a bottle?!?!?! I got both my bottles for $250 total from an older gentleman. He just had them swapped for refilled ones too.
798 is starvin you bud
guys just get an older f150 with the 300ci inline 6. that engine was used in tractors and all kinds of industrial equipment, it WILL outlast any diesel and they are torque monsters.
I had a 96 f-250 with the 300 6 cylinder and the same year truck with a 460. I pulled Bobcat 763 skid loaders with them and the straight 6 pulled the best. It was a 5 speed manual though.
You probably couldn’t find a 95 ram with a Cummins for 5500 in this day. I swear those trucks will be worth 70 grand one day.
Flu + diabetes = not good. Glad you are feeling better. Take care.
What was your website again
Arosswelding.com
Thank you