Setup Welding Rig?

[ssenger009]

Hi there...


I am from BC Canada and I am going to be setting up a welding rig. I am looking at a few options and would TRULY APPRECIATE any help from the BEEN THERE DONE THAT people, and of course whoever has advice.

I have been welding for 9 years now and have 4 Pressure Pipe tickets. I work with the UA 170 Pipefitters union most of the time. I have turned into an awesome tig welder (so i've been told). I enjoy stick also, but I enjoy no chipping of slag or wire wheeling.



I am looking at getting the following machine and truck:

Trailblazer 302 diesel or gas (not sure...help?)

Ford 1 ton or Dodge 1 ton Diesel or Chevy 1 ton for that matter with around 50,000 km (30,000 miles)


I have read a lot of threads and think the "Trailblazer 302" would be a good starter welder. I love the "Miller XMT 304" took my A, B, and C, ticket (in bc) with this welding machine. I have read that the arc etc are similar.

I don't have a bias on trucks. I really like the look of all three, but I want a diesel with power, but ECONOMY also. I don't need tons of horse or torque. Enough to haul a welding rig and tools.

Overall I am tired of making $3000 a week when I know there is a lot more to be made. I would also like to be my own boss. Although, I am except when it comes to paycheques.

[admweld]

I wish i could make $3000 a week is that us dollars?

[Wicked one]

Hi there...


I am from BC Canada and I am going to be setting up a welding rig. I am looking at a few options and would TRULY APPRECIATE any help from the BEEN THERE DONE THAT people, and of course whoever has advice.

I have been welding for 9 years now and have 4 Pressure Pipe tickets. I work with the UA 170 Pipefitters union most of the time. I have turned into an awesome tig welder (so i've been told). I enjoy stick also, but I enjoy no chipping of slag or wire wheeling.



I am looking at getting the following machine and truck:

Trailblazer 302 diesel or gas (not sure...help?)

Ford 1 ton or Dodge 1 ton Diesel or Chevy 1 ton for that matter with around 50,000 km (30,000 miles)


I have read a lot of threads and think the "Trailblazer 302" would be a good starter welder. I love the "Miller XMT 304" took my A, B, and C, ticket (in bc) with this welding machine. I have read that the arc etc are similar.

I don't have a bias on trucks. I really like the look of all three, but I want a diesel with power, but ECONOMY also. I don't need tons of horse or torque. Enough to haul a welding rig and tools.

Overall I am tired of making $3000 a week when I know there is a lot more to be made. I would also like to be my own boss. Although, I am except when it comes to paycheques.
if your making 3000 g's a week with the hall you must be working 7-16 or somthing ridiculous!! the pipe pro is like an xmt 304 not the trailblazer.(i've owned both . i would get a diesel welder and truck. the trailblazer won't run for 10 hrs. on a tank of fuel. try to find a 02 dodge. i will try to send you some pics of my rig. Jef

[ssenger009]

Not US dollars. Canadian and that's before tax, when I'm out of town I usually clear (net) around $2000 can. Working usually 6-9 hour days. Our rate is $31.10 canadian. Journeyman welder or pipefitter plus benefits and $4hour goes to our pension. My main plan is to rig weld 5-6 months a year and hit shutdowns for 2 with the UA.

[calweld]

I'm not commenting on the vehicles . . . that's a can of worms I have no wish to open. Only thing I have to say, if the Trailblazer meets your needs, go with the gas engine, with my experience (based on 20 years and four trailblazers), I guarantee, you will wear out the welder before you wear the engine out.

[Wicked one]

Well that there is bullsh!t:rolleyes: Mine will do a 14 hour day no problem. I carry two 20L jerry cans on the back of my rig and between that and the 12gallon fuel tank in the trailblazer I can go two very full days without worries about refuelling, or 3 average 10 hour days. Caveat emptor, I am not a pipeliner, so I can't comment on its application in that area of work, but I have heard of it being used in the patch and can attest that the 302 does well on anything uphill and is good with 5p+ too. If you are doing downhill, I'd try a 302 out for yourself first or maybe look at the pipepro 304, if you like the xmt304 then the 304 should keep you happy. You are welcome to try my 302 if you are ever in the fraser valley. Of course there are other options, grey options, as well, but it depends on start up price and whether you want the comfort of getting a new machine with a warranty. About the warranty, Miller is top notch in taking care of their people. I know that if something were to happen to my 302 and I needed the part, they would lfy it to me ASAP and provide me with over the phone instructions on any special procedure in replacing that part if I can't get to a n authorized service center. A 300A 100% duty cycle trailblazer 302 for $4000 is hard to beat if you don't have a lot of free cash to toss at a machine at the moment. :cool:

As for trucks, get a Dodge 3500 Cummins 2003-2004, two of the best model years as they went to common rail. It might not have as many bells and whistles as the competitor trucks, but they are generally much more dependable, and when you're 100 miles out side of cell phone service that really becomes a big selling feature. Mine has 390,000kms and is still going strong, with oil analysis reports coming back clean.:cool:

Ssenger, if you're making $3000/week 40 something weeks a year, you might want to take a close look at economics and what you will be sacrificing to try and gain another 20% more income, potential income that is, as the oil industry seems to be getting more unstable than it was a couple years back.

Anyways, welcome, stick around for a while and enjoy the good company:cool:sorry if i pissed you off coalsmoke! my trailblazer would get maybe 7-8 hrs. to a tank fabing 3,4,6,8 on the pipeline running 3/16 7018 it was good for running beads and hot pass but would break arc capping with7010 p1. my trailblazer was a 2004 with a robin onan engine in it . Inow have a pipe pro 304 which is a diesel and I can stretch 4 days out of it doing the same work. so maybe they've changed somthing on the trailblazer Idon't know . all I'm saying is everyone has an opinion so no need to call bull**** before you hear a guy out! anyways you said you get two days out of 12gls. and 2 20l jerry cans in alberta we are trying to lighten up our rigs not weigh them down by carrying extra fuel!

[Wicked one]

Not US dollars. Canadian and that's before tax, when I'm out of town I usually clear (net) around $2000 can. Working usually 6-9 hour days. Our rate is $31.10 canadian. Journeyman welder or pipefitter plus benefits and $4hour goes to our pension. My main plan is to rig weld 5-6 months a year and hit shutdowns for 2 with the UA.

we pay 5.35 an hour to our pension to pay for some golf courses the 488 bought a few years back . so at 6-9 's that's 54 hours at 31.10 that's 1679.40 do they pay you 10% holiday pay on top of that? are you planning to work your rig through the hall? If you are I don't know about Bc but in alberta my hall make's me pay 589.00 a week for the privilige of working for the hall is it the same in Bc? Jef

[Wicked one]

Nope, not pissed off, and to me its not too personal, hope it didn't come across on your end as such. IMO there is something wrong with that engine, although the older models were only a 9 or 10 gallon tank which would make them a 8 hour machine like you said a wide open 100% duty cycle. I can do a complete 12 hour rebuild job on one tank of fuel, where I run through about 40 1/4" carbons at 300A and about 20lbs of 3/16" 7018 among other things. Maybe the older engines got a lot worse fuel economythan the new ones?:confused: mine is a 2005 model year. Either way, a low rpm diesel like the Pro300 or Lincoln Classic is the best bet for engines, the mid rpm diesel like the PipePro 304 is the second best, the fuel efficient gassers like the trailblazer come in a distant third, but still way above the gasser SA200s and similar in terms of fuel economy. If you are talking weight and weight matters that much that it comes down to the difference of a couple hundred pounds, then a 302 gasser and two 20L jerry cans (50lbs each) will still be lighter than a diesel drive.:)

You make an exellent point coalsmoke. No I didn't take it personal. Do you have a deck truck or a skid? If you have a deck who built it? Ipriced one out from milron in edmonton and they said there turn around was 22 weeks and it would cost 26,000 bucks. Do you know anyone who builds decks in BC? Happy new year! Jef

[frostbite]

Hey wicked one, please tell me how you work through the 488. I set up a rig last July and have only done a few small jobs on the side. I have my b pressure ticket including a couple of recent small bore tickets. Right now I'm instructing at NAIT, but I sure would like to get some gravey on the side. Teaching doesn't pay near as well as being the field.:) :)

[pipeline Dan]

I started with a 301g, the new ones are called 302TB it was a great little welder it payed for its self in the first 2 weeks but with time I needed something a little bigger. I now have a pipepro and have never looked back.
Here are some things to look at when your looking for a welder and truck, When you have a diesel truck and gas pot for a welder its a big pain in the ace cause you fill one up then you have to drive around to fill up the other one, and it never fails cause there are other guys at the other pump and you have to wait in line so you add an extra 1/2 hr to your fuel up time:mad:
I hear guys say that diesels dont start in the winter time and I call bull
cause my 304 has always started and I've worked in -40 and its always ready to work when its time. I dont know of any one with a TB diesel so I cant say
if its any good but i would think if your going to spend big $$$ for a diesel
why not get a welder to go with it:confused: With trucks its all across the
board as to which one is the best but I'll give ya my take on it, take it for what its worth. Chev is a diesel made to pull a load down the highway, Its
one of the best rides going down the road but the frame and front end are far
to light to be a heavy duty work truck and they come way to low so you have to spend extra money to get it off the ground so you dont bottom out
on job sites. Ford does real well in the patch and think it has a real good inside with that I mean that its like an office inside lots of power outlets
for things like redar detectors, DVD players, satellite radios, laptops, phone plug ins etc etc. but it likes the fuel alot it also goes threw injectors like
crazy and I think there 1200 a piece (I was told that???) but I see alot of
them in the patch so they must do well. Then we get to the Dodge I have a
2003 and its a great heavy duty work truck it also has more power then
I 'll ever need. Doge use to have problems with there breaks but have since
fixed them with bigger disks I have over 120,000 and I'll need to replace them In another 15-20,000. They also like to seize up on there drive shafts
and u-joints but mine where all paid for from Dodge so not a big deal. If your going to buy a diesel If you can go with something new that way its covered by Dodge or Ford cause it good cost you in the end. Here is a picture of my
rig so you can see how mine is set up, yes its a short box and I have lots of room for all my tools you just have to get nifty has how you set it up, plus you only have to buy 4 tires instead of 6;) I bought the wife a Durango in
the spring so she said Its my turn so I'll go with a mega cab in the spring:cool:

[jberger]

if i was making 3000 grand a week i would probly not rig up, yeah i know its cool to say i have a rig, but the expences add up fast , my 2 million liblity is and truck insurance is close to 900 a month, then the truck payment 700 , then everything else (there was a thread about expences a while ago) so imo you are doing really well, the problem in rig is that you have to know alot of people to stay working. and now days seems to me that most companys are trying to get away from rigs ( up in fort mac ) so these are things to consider,
asfar as working non union and then switching back to union,
there is a risk of getting fined or kicked out of the hall ( if that matters to you ) but thats the game some play

[ssenger009]

Yes I do receive 12% holiday pay. I also receive $90 day LOA (tax free) Some towns you make money on that, some you don't it all evens out. I wasn't planning on working my "Rig" through the hall, but I also wasn't planning on doing pipe "non-union" mostly structural if possible. I have learned that #170 pipefitters union is very "clicky". I paid non working dues for 2.5 years before I got a job with them. They just give the jobs to the guys they know. In saying that the dispatcher they have now is a lot more fair, and tries to play by the book (UA constitution).

I don't believe I have to pay to have my rig through the hall, although, I think I will just take my name off the board and say I'm not available for work. I am pro-union because my Dad was and well I had a great childhood because of unions, but I also have to take care of me and my family. Wife doesn't work so I bring home all the bread and with 3 kids well you know where I'm coming from. If I can be home 1 more month a year (hopefully more) by rigging up then I have a mission accomplished.


we pay 5.35 an hour to our pension to pay for some golf courses the 488 bought a few years back . so at 6-9 's that's 54 hours at 31.10 that's 1679.40 do they pay you 10% holiday pay on top of that? are you planning to work your rig through the hall? If you are I don't know about Bc but in alberta my hall make's me pay 589.00 a week for the privilige of working for the hall is it the same in Bc? Jef

[Wicked one]

I started with a 301g, the new ones are called 302TB it was a great little welder it payed for its self in the first 2 weeks but with time I needed something a little bigger. I now have a pipepro and have never looked back.
Here are some things to look at when your looking for a welder and truck, When you have a diesel truck and gas pot for a welder its a big pain in the ace cause you fill one up then you have to drive around to fill up the other one, and it never fails cause there are other guys at the other pump and you have to wait in line so you add an extra 1/2 hr to your fuel up time:mad:
I hear guys say that diesels dont start in the winter time and I call bull
cause my 304 has always started and I've worked in -40 and its always ready to work when its time. I dont know of any one with a TB diesel so I cant say
if its any good but i would think if your going to spend big $$$ for a diesel
why not get a welder to go with it:confused: With trucks its all across the
board as to which one is the best but I'll give ya my take on it, take it for what its worth. Chev is a diesel made to pull a load down the highway, Its
one of the best rides going down the road but the frame and front end are far
to light to be a heavy duty work truck and they come way to low so you have to spend extra money to get it off the ground so you dont bottom out
on job sites. Ford does real well in the patch and think it has a real good inside with that I mean that its like an office inside lots of power outlets
for things like redar detectors, DVD players, satellite radios, laptops, phone plug ins etc etc. but it likes the fuel alot it also goes threw injectors like
crazy and I think there 1200 a piece (I was told that???) but I see alot of
them in the patch so they must do well. Then we get to the Dodge I have a
2003 and its a great heavy duty work truck it also has more power then
I 'll ever need. Doge use to have problems with there breaks but have since
fixed them with bigger disks I have over 120,000 and I'll need to replace them In another 15-20,000. They also like to seize up on there drive shafts
and u-joints but mine where all paid for from Dodge so not a big deal. If your going to buy a diesel If you can go with something new that way its covered by Dodge or Ford cause it good cost you in the end. Here is a picture of my
rig so you can see how mine is set up, yes its a short box and I have lots of room for all my tools you just have to get nifty has how you set it up, plus you only have to buy 4 tires instead of 6;) I bought the wife a Durango in
the spring so she said Its my turn so I'll go with a mega cab in the spring:cool:Dan , I know this is off topic but do you have any pics how your reels are mounted that you can post? and how you have your skid layed out ? Thanks Jef

[Finney]

We are currently building s rig for 798 work. It should be done this weekend. I will post pictures.

[Wicked one]

We are currently building s rig for 798 work. It should be done this weekend. I will post pictures.

Thanks Finney I appreciate it Jef

[pipeline Dan]

Dan , I know this is off topic but do you have any pics how your reels are mounted that you can post? and how you have your skid layed out ? Thanks Jef

yes sir I can do that, I always look at other trucks to get ideas. My truck
is about 10 truck ideas into one truck:p. Here are some for a start, I'll take some more and post them so you can see cause there's some things not in these pics that I added after these pics where taken.

[lynx_welding]

Well don't be afraid to look at my junk i build it in a week and i'll be posting more in the next couple of weeks cuz i'm adding my fab table where you might ask you'll see any questions i can answer for ya asap

[Wicked one]

Well don't be afraid to look at my junk i build it in a week and i'll be posting more in the next couple of weeks cuz i'm adding my fab table where you might ask you'll see any questions i can answer for ya asap

I noticed you have mainstream cable reels ,do you have any problems with them in the cold? If Ican figure out how to post pics I'll take some of my rig. Ihave shell ryns and have had a lot of problems with them in the cold(plates icing up and not working) Lynx's do you mostly pipeline or what? Thanks Jef

[Wicked one]

yes sir I can do that, I always look at other trucks to get ideas. My truck
is about 10 truck ideas into one truck:p. Here are some for a start, I'll take some more and post them so you can see cause there's some things not in these pics that I added after these pics where taken.

What setting's do you run on 125 wall 3 and 4 inch (arc force amperage ect.) I've never mainlined but always seem to get sucked into doing tie-in's and fabbing. Have you had any problems with your pipe pro?Mine's a 2005 and I've had to replace an armature and everything ahead of the motor(except the board) 7000 bucks on warranty! Now it runs better than it did when it was new. The only thing I don't like is it's a tad loud. Sorry about my rambling Thanks Jef

[Portable Welder]

If your a welder why would'nt you build your own custom rig verses hoping a shop does everything right.
There are so many things to consider that I always draw my bed out to scale and place everything, welder, tanks, compressor, crane, and tool boxes.

I dont understand the big hype for reels. ( must be a pipe welder thing )
However my leads are 175' long on each side and my mig lead is 125'.
My torch hose is 200' long.
I'm thinking most pipe guys dont usually need that much lead.

[Wicked one]

If your a welder why would'nt you build your own custom rig verses hoping a shop does everything right.
There are so many things to consider that I always draw my bed out to scale and place everything, welder, tanks, compressor, crane, and tool boxes.

I dont understand the big hype for reels. ( must be a pipe welder thing )
However my leads are 175' long on each side and my mig lead is 125'.
My torch hose is 200' long.
I'm thinking most pipe guys dont usually need that much lead.

How's it going portable. In answer to your question about reels When it's 40 below speed is important. pipeline is all about speed. lots of guys use cable wraps (because it's cheaper) In answer to your question about building your own rig somtimes it's faster to have other's build certain components of your rig(like cabinets, cable reels ect.) But other than boxes and reels I've built everything myself. I only carry 100ft of whip and 100ft of ground and 2 20 foot lengths of cable incase I have to pull my machine off and put it on a sloop or nodwell. In addition to that I have 100ft of oxy/acet and 100ft of remote and if I need to be further than that from my truck the oil company can rent it . Hope that answer's your questions Jef

[pipeline Dan]

What setting's do you run on 125 wall 3 and 4 inch (arc force amperage ect.) I've never mainlined but always seem to get sucked into doing tie-in's and fabbing. Have you had any problems with your pipe pro?Mine's a 2005 and I've had to replace an armature and everything ahead of the motor(except the board) 7000 bucks on warranty! Now it runs better than it did when it was new. The only thing I don't like is it's a tad loud. Sorry about my rambling Thanks Jef

on .125 I run my bead at about 24, hot pass I'll be about 35-37 and on my
cap(weld test) I'll run it about 27 I have my dig on the 75-100%. The only problem I've had was at the start, my computer was jiggled loose, It would start but it wouldn't weld:( so I then took thick rubber from an old trencher
and put it under it, has run fine since:cool: Mine is a little load as well, I could run some kind of sound proof stuff in my box so It doesn't bounce noise
around. When I bought my 304 (2002)it was one of the better welders for
noise but times change and so it is a little bit loader then I'd like:o I do like it
alot and it will be my welder most likely until I die. Dont worry about the rambling, if you dont know then ask, what goes around comes around;)
Plus its free:p

[Wicked one]

on .125 I run my bead at about 24, hot pass I'll be about 35-37 and on my
cap(weld test) I'll run it about 27 I have my dig on the 75-100%. The only problem I've had was at the start, my computer was jiggled loose, It would start but it wouldn't weld:( so I then took thick rubber from an old trencher
and put it under it, has run fine since:cool: Mine is a little load as well, I could run some kind of sound proof stuff in my box so It doesn't bounce noise
around. When I bought my 304 (2002)it was one of the better welders for
noise but times change and so it is a little bit loader then I'd like:o I do like it
alot and it will be my welder most likely until I die. Dont worry about the rambling, if you dont know then ask, what goes around comes around;)
Plus its free:p

what amperage do you set your welder at Iusually set mine at 280 so Ican burn 3/16 for fabbin. Just curious as to what other;s are running. Also what kind of remote are you running? Thanks Jef

[pipeline Dan]

. pipeline is all about speed. lots of guys use cable wraps (because it's cheaper) In answer to your question about building your own rig somtimes it's faster to have other's build certain components of your rig(like cabinets, cable reels ect.) I only carry 100ft of whip and 100ft of ground and 2 20 foot lengths of cable incase I have to pull my machine off and put it on a sloop or nodwell. In addition to that I have 100ft of oxy/acet and 100ft of remote and if I need to be further than that from my truck the oil company can rent it . Hope that answer's your questions Jef

very well put Wicked. I'am in the same boat as you, I got my boxes built,
my spools built, other then that everything else was pieces of scrap I had kicking around. Who said down hand 18 rod wasn't strong enough?:p I also do 100' each side and 100' remote. I have never done any work where my welder
had to be put on a nodwell, I've been up in 2 lakes and places like that but never have had to do it yet(thank the welding gods for that). I'll put it this way, if you go 26 days head down a*s up the last thing you want to do when you get home is weld 10-14 gage steel together;). Wicked we have got to see some pics of your rig, When I first got on here they rode me like a donkey until I posted :rolleyes: so get your camera out:D

[Wicked one]

very well put Wicked. I'am in the same boat as you, I got my boxes built,
my spools built, other then that everything else was pieces of scrap I had kicking around. Who said down hand 18 rod wasn't strong enough?:p I also do 100' each side and 100' remote. I have never done any work where my welder
had to be put on a nodwell, I've been up in 2 lakes and places like that but never have had to do it yet(thank the welding gods for that). I'll put it this way, if you go 26 days head down a*s up the last thing you want to do when you get home is weld 10-14 gage steel together;). Wicked we have got to see some pics of your rig, When I first got on here they rode me like a donkey until I posted :rolleyes: so get your camera out:D

I'm trying to figure out how to post the **** things I'm sure I'll figure it out soon. See ya in the patch Jef

[pipeline Dan]

what amperage do you set your welder at Iusually set mine at 280 so Ican burn 3/16 for fabbin. Just curious as to what other;s are running. Also what kind of remote are you running? Thanks Jef

I run mine at 305 and never fiddle with it, I just pull a long arc/ short arc if needed. I have a Kristen Electric (spelling?) one. They are real touchy, If I get a helper that has used a lincoln one they always turn it up 10:mad: you cant do that with mine, its up 5 down 5 alot of time I just get them to turn it up in 2s or 2.5s. I blew x-ray cause I had a green helper and he turned it up 10 which blows a hole about the size of a 25 cent piece in the pipe. Real hard to get on steady if you know what I mean:D

[lynx_welding]

to the wicked one,

No problems with my reels when it was -40 here in december they worked fine i pipeline a bit but have mainly done plant turn arounds i have done the balzac (nexen) out side of calgary Crossfield(PrimeWest) Edson (Tailismen) and many other little sites in fox creek to dawson creek do doing rig ****e in fort mac at the fire bag project who have you worked with. my dad was just up there building rigs for terracore

Shane

[Wicked one]

to the wicked one,

No problems with my reels when it was -40 here in december they worked fine i pipeline a bit but have mainly done plant turn arounds i have done the balzac (nexen) out side of calgary Crossfield(PrimeWest) Edson (Tailismen) and many other little sites in fox creek to dawson creek do doing rig ****e in fort mac at the fire bag project who have you worked with. my dad was just up there building rigs for terracore

Shane
Thanks for replying Shane, I've got Shell Ryn's and and they don't work so good when it's cold(the plates ice up and you either can't get them undone or they won't ground) As for work I've alot in fox creek (kaybob) Valleyview snipe lake for Apache .I did the fort mcmurray thing a couple of years ago at Albian ,Syncrude and CNRL when it was just bush. Ialso pipeline in the begining of the year (mostly tie ins and fab) I've worked alot of union jobs which don't pay as well as non-union jobs. Your rig looks good what kind of jake do you have.

[lynx_welding]

the jake is a cummings part right from factory i love it it works well

[Wicked one]

the jake is a cummings part right from factory i love it it works well

Did you order it on your truck or did you buy it and put it on yourself? Does it sound cool? If you ordered it do you happen to have the part number? Thanks Jef

[lynx_welding]

i ordered it when i bought my truck sounds good but it's not super loud like a real jake on a semi i just went in to the dealer ship and had it ordered they installed it i recomend they do it it looked hard maybe not hard but finiky

[Eric Carroll]

reels are alot faster than wraps,I can unspool 150' in about 20-30 seconds.I also think you can reel in your leads faster than wrapping them on a stub.They are more compact too,a good thing if you want to keep your truck compact.I still have my o/a on a wrap type set up and cant wait to get a reel.I'm not real up on the 302, but have a 301 that I ran for awhile and I cant say a bad thing about it.I did a good amount of scratch-start tig with it.I dont know about the truck market up there, but down here diesel is big and the trucks are high$.I would go with a 3/4 ton or single rear wheel 1ton gasser and a 302 to start out.You dont need 600 foot/lbs of torque to haul a little skid around.

[ssenger009]

I think I am going to go with the 2003 or 2004 Dodge 5.9L cummins 1 ton (not dually) as I've heard they get stuck easier out in the bush. I am still on the fence with the welder:

Trailblazer Gas or Diesel?

I'm not sure? I don't know how much insurance is in BC, but I'm counting on about $10,000. I've heard it can be up to $15,000 or up to $100,000 for hot "tapping" pipelines.

Also, which side of my rig do I put my spools on does it matter? I liked the way one rig had them on the very back (versatile setup)

Thanks 4 all the help guys! :) :D


reels are alot faster than wraps,I can unspool 150' in about 20-30 seconds.I also think you can reel in your leads faster than wrapping them on a stub.They are more compact too,a good thing if you want to keep your truck compact.I still have my o/a on a wrap type set up and cant wait to get a reel.I'm not real up on the 302, but have a 301 that I ran for awhile and I cant say a bad thing about it.I did a good amount of scratch-start tig with it.I dont know about the truck market up there, but down here diesel is big and the trucks are high$.I would go with a 3/4 ton or single rear wheel 1ton gasser and a 302 to start out.You dont need 600 foot/lbs of torque to haul a little skid around.

[Sberry]

This wouldnt get it for a pipeline rig?

[lynx_welding]

What does the rest of that thing look like????

[Sberry]

Most of the guys have seen these but I can post a few for people that just come on the board.

[Sberry]

I was running my pickup mostly, I actually do very little field work anymore but there are those times when full truck is almost priceless and its just as good of toolbox as any. I was considering a new pickup but I think mine will make it a while longer and I use my car most of the time anymore. I havnt been in a truck for a month. The first pic is a pickup we use as utility, just painted, its alright but I would rather drive mine the green one. I really work out of my car most of the time.

[pipeline Dan]

Also, which side of my rig do I put my spools on does it matter? I liked the way one rig had them on the very back (versatile setup)
Thanks 4 all the help guys! :) :D

Good thing you asked, Not a better way to tell guys your green then have
your spools on the wrong side. Your spools should be on the driver side or
right on the very back like you want;). When there on the very back they
are more versatile for sure but its nice to have them on the side for pipeline
work. Also make sure your welder is on the right way:p cause there was so much work here in Alberta last winter guys where starting rigs everywhere
guys had there welders backwards on the wrong side tied down with bungee
cords, heck I heard one guy showed up with a Honda ridgeline with a welder
in the back, no cables but a welder:rolleyes:

[lynx_welding]

hey man what you got coming up for work i'm looking at a a project in south calgary that will last tell about april for the first set of 10 units ( it's rig stuff but it's consistant and fairly laid back)

[jberger]

Good thing you asked, Not a better way to tell guys your green then have
your spools on the wrong side. Your spools should be on the driver side or
right on the very back like you want;). When there on the very back they
are more versatile for sure but its nice to have them on the side for pipeline
work. Also make sure your welder is on the right way:p cause there was so much work here in Alberta last winter guys where starting rigs everywhere
guys had there welders backwards on the wrong side tied down with bungee
cords, heck I heard one guy showed up with a Honda ridgeline with a welder
in the back, no cables but a welder:rolleyes:


he's right, if you are going with a smaller machine mount it so you dont have to climb into the box to start it, just try to make things simple.

[Wicked one]

I was running my pickup mostly, I actually do very little field work anymore but there are those times when full truck is almost priceless and its just as good of toolbox as any. I was considering a new pickup but I think mine will make it a while longer and I use my car most of the time anymore. I havnt been in a truck for a month. The first pic is a pickup we use as utility, just painted, its alright but I would rather drive mine the green one. I really work out of my car most of the time.

not thread related but how the heck do you get your pictures on the thread!!! Help and Thanks Jef

[lynx_welding]

I havent done it my self but it explains in the FAQ on the top of the page on the same line as New Posts good luck

[Wicked one]

I havent done it my self but it explains in the FAQ on the top of the page on the same line as New Posts good luck

Ya, I tryed that and I must be computer retarded !!

[lynx_welding]

maybe thats my issue too a well any pictures that i got i just post on my rig page it's easyer there
then you can refrance them with a web site if people want to look

[Wicked one]

maybe thats my issue too a well any pictures that i got i just post on my rig page it's easyer there
then you can refrance them with a web site if people want to look

Thanks Lynx , I'll get my wife to do it (very pathetic) Oh well at least I can weld! Jef

[lynx_welding]

Yeah man i here ya who ve you been working with latly

[Wicked one]

Yeah man i here ya who ve you been working with latly

It's been really dead around edmonton so I've been doing a bunch of underground for air products and petro-can for a union contractor. I'm going to La on monday till the 12th and then I'm going to Whitecourt to work for Strike energy(some short lines and fab till they get more) What about you ? Jef

[lynx_welding]

not a whoole lot i was in stettler for 5 days building risers and little spoools for plastic line(***) but i'm looking at a job right now that is flat out tell april but it's changing a bunch of rig stuff (RIGS=***) cuz no one is that busy i'm not afraid to go out and work any were i've been around done alot of things man i can't wait tell a buch of old boys retire make room for us mid class guys

[lynx_welding]

Coalsmokes Back Yaaaa. hey remember that time that guy tried to tell me that they pipeline at the north pole i have't seen him much have you

[Wicked one]

not a whoole lot i was in stettler for 5 days building risers and little spoools for plastic line(***) but i'm looking at a job right now that is flat out tell april but it's changing a bunch of rig stuff (RIGS=***) cuz no one is that busy i'm not afraid to go out and work any were i've been around done alot of things man i can't wait tell a buch of old boys retire make room for us mid class guys

well said , I was talking to a pipeline buddy of mine who works through the 488 on the pipeline side and he said the average age of the welders on the pipeline side is 56 years old and they won't take guy's like you and me cause it's an old boy's club(very ***)

[lynx_welding]

THat IS F U C K I N HILLARIOUS OMG hahahaha

hehe hey wicked one whos your buddy on the 488 i think i know a welder that contracts to them

[Wicked one]

THat IS F U C K I N HILLARIOUS OMG hahahaha

hehe hey wicked one whos your buddy on the 488 i think i know a welder that contracts to them

Don Hunter

[lynx_welding]

Ever herd of ED lagault is how it's spelt he worked alot with midwest and is in with a company that is a union doing pieline work in fort mac right now

he's an old boy he apprenticed my dad long ago

[lynx_welding]

That 300d has 6200 hours on her what's up wtih your remote in the centre of the dial

[lynx_welding]

i got to talk to cruizer about building a remote that has my gears on my machine or just a relocater by my tail gate or in a cabnit so i don't have to jump up in my truck to change gears and turn the machine on and off

[lynx_welding]

By gears i ment ranges on the machine to clarify

[Wicked one]

Lynx man, you lost me, changing gears while standing at the back of your truck?:confused: Is this a new sport in alberta, driving the truck from the tailgate:D

Cruizer builds a good product:cool:

coalsmoke now my pics are to big but I'm still trying. Thanks for all your help . The gear thing is a lincoln thing (different ranges).

[lynx_welding]

not really i use 3/32 18 and 1/8 10 in 3rd and can go all the way up to 3/16 18

[lynx_welding]

HA HA HA That's why i have a helper i just say hey b itch get up there

[lynx_welding]

Right on Catch ya later
Smoke

[Pile Buck]

you guys learn how to post a picture yet:D

Hey Coal I see you have a set of gauges for your Dodge. Do you really think that’s necessary with something as reliable as the Cummins?
I have basically the same set up in my Ford, but hey which of us is really running the risk of blowing an engine up? :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes:
I also have one of those turbo savers; I just love that thing, no waiting for the pyro gauge to get down to 300. Step on the e-brake, push a button 1-time for every minute I want the truck to idle, turn the key off, and walk away.
When I buy my new Dodge, I was just wondering if you think I’d need gauges in it. I know I’ll buy another turbo saver, not sure about another set of gauges tho!:confused: