Time is money, field or shop???

[Ironmower]

I've noticed that it seems alot of you fellas are fabbin' rails in the field. I, ve learned that this is NOT a profitable method. I understand you do what you got to do to get the job done. I prefer to take all my own field measurements and fab it at the shop. I get great satisfaction when I go back to install, and it falls right together........ Point bein' that shop-time is ALOT cheaper than field-time! I've seen other outfits build all their "picket-rails" on site...I don't think they are still in business either tho........Any thoughts on this????????????

[specter]

Well I do alot of Farm work up north independent of the CNC shop I co-own. I prefer to do the work in my farm's shop (barn) as I have everything handy that I might need for the repairs. If I have to run out into some field with my truck without knowing specifically what I need for the job it can get expensive fast not only for me but for the customer that inadequately described what was broke. But hey they get stiffed the standard $75 farm field service call, all materials, labor. I always tell them if they can get it to the shop it saves them alot of money.

[ironman715]

Well if you are playing by the rules with workers comp and all that happy crap the coverage for the shop is WAAAAY cheaper than coverage for the field. Unless its a rush job where I can not field measure and come back to the shop to fab I never field fab when I can avoid it. It cost more all around. Usualy takes longer as well because I do not have EVERYTHING that I need. I always have enough to get the job done but its not always the best and/or fastest way.

I agree about field fab myself. Very costly to have a truck sucking down gas, a welder sucking down fuel, the higher rate paid for field work etc...Cheaper for me to cook at home so to speak.

'Mike

[Brett]

We have not site welded anything on site (Balustrading) for years

[Ag Specialties]

I have to disagree with you a little bit. I have ran my shop for many years and that is all we do. 90% portable and about 10% in the shop. I have made a good living with it and pay my workers very well. The thing about working out in the field is you have to have the brain for it. I have gone through a lot of welders finding the ones that i have now. Some people are cut out for it and some aren't.

[ironman715]

We do a TON of field work as well. But it cost me less to fab in the shop. Most of our work is field install work...but its much more effective to fab the stuff in the shop and bring it to the location for install.

[Brett]

I should have qualified that to say one is better than the other is an over generalization.
It depends terribly on the type of product and the material used.
Ours is 75% powdercoated aluminium...must be welded prior to pwder coating

and 25% Stainless , and in SS you can pre fab just about everything (yes there are exceptions) .

It does take more measuring skill to measure on site then fab else where. Digital cameras are your friend there!

[William McCormick Jr]

I have not welded anything railing, on site in years. The last things I welded and you almost have to, was some 5/8" square bar, onto large steel estate entry gates. On an angle into the brick, to hold the steel posts that the gates are hinged to, to the brick columns.


But today with the diamond cutting equipment, we have. If I made an aluminum gate, or stainless steel gate. I would make something that bolts onto the hinge poles. And just core the piece into the brick or stone column, bolt it onto the upright poles to hold the gates. Then level the whole thing. Quick Rock it (plasticized plaster) it in place. And go home.

You could angle them all down too. Because once that stuff hardens, it will not be coming out anytime soon.

I do bow rails on site, on boats but that is something different.



Sincerely,


William McCormick

[Dualie]

i have found that NOTHING is cheeper or easier in the field. IF you can get it down to a legaly transportable size then everytime it gets built in the shop.

i have built entire trash enclosures in the shop and then just had to field weld them to the embeds in the concrete curb at the site.

if its under 12' wide and 12' tall i will build it in the shop every time.