The price of welding

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Stevieabz
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Post Thu Mar 16, 2017 10:29 pm

I'm currently at the stage of blasting, cutting and welding my 325i. I'm fairly confident I can handle most of it. I'm just a little worried about a few thicker, nastier looking parts. For instance the entire battery compartment and the rear tow hook area need redoing and both the front jacking joints and the rear arches also need doing.

Does anyone have any experience in paying for this kind of service ? I will give every area a go but if I'm just not good enough, as I haven't done much fabricating in the past.. I will want to get professional help.

If anyone knows the rough price for a weld job on a certain area I would really like to know. I know it greatly depends on the job in hand but examples of work and the price would be great.

Cheers.
1987 325i Sport M-Tech 1 - In Absolute Pieces - www.youtube.com/restoreit - For videos on this E30.
1989 325i Touring - Undergoing a much quicker restoration
1985 320i Sedan - Future Project
BMW 1 Series M Coupe - Daily Driver
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M3KUK
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Post Fri Mar 17, 2017 12:17 am

I know a good guy in NW Eng, where are you?
Stevieabz
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Post Fri Mar 17, 2017 12:23 am

I'm in Cambridgeshire. I can deliver the car if I really need to.

Any info on prices either per job or per hour?

Cheers.
1987 325i Sport M-Tech 1 - In Absolute Pieces - www.youtube.com/restoreit - For videos on this E30.
1989 325i Touring - Undergoing a much quicker restoration
1985 320i Sedan - Future Project
BMW 1 Series M Coupe - Daily Driver
DanThe
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Post Fri Mar 17, 2017 9:47 am

For a proper job it is specialist work, hardly any garage or bodyshop is interested in doing metalwork properly nowadays, therefore you should expect to pay more than the average garage hourly rate.
Stevieabz
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Post Fri Mar 17, 2017 10:56 am

Thanks Dan.
1987 325i Sport M-Tech 1 - In Absolute Pieces - www.youtube.com/restoreit - For videos on this E30.
1989 325i Touring - Undergoing a much quicker restoration
1985 320i Sedan - Future Project
BMW 1 Series M Coupe - Daily Driver
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M3KUK
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Post Fri Mar 17, 2017 7:59 pm

I'm seeing him the weekend, I'll ask.
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jcm325
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Post Fri Mar 17, 2017 8:49 pm

It's difficult to find anyone interested unless they are a full on restoration business but I did manage to find someone to weld mine @ £25 per hour but i appreciate i was lucky...unfortunately nowhere near you...but hopefully the price gives you a ball park figure..
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aimlessrock
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Post Fri Mar 17, 2017 10:27 pm

I can recommend a zoner called Chris (blimmer86) - he is amazing welder - he is the NW - top bloke as well.
E30 320i Convertible (1989)
190 Mercedes (1988)

"there is nothing more expensive than a cheap E30"
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jprcelite
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Post Sat Mar 18, 2017 10:20 am

I know a great fabricator in Northamptonshire who specialises in car restoration work. He charges £250 per day but gets a lot more done in a day than most people can so works out cost effective to get it done properly
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bimanut
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Post Sun Mar 19, 2017 5:31 pm

Have you got any pics of the damage? :wink:
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Stevieabz
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Post Mon Mar 20, 2017 10:43 pm

Ah cool. Thanks for all the replies guys. I do have photo's of the damage. I may contact the people mentioned in this thread if I get stuck. Photos coming shorty.
1987 325i Sport M-Tech 1 - In Absolute Pieces - www.youtube.com/restoreit - For videos on this E30.
1989 325i Touring - Undergoing a much quicker restoration
1985 320i Sedan - Future Project
BMW 1 Series M Coupe - Daily Driver
Stevieabz
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Post Mon Mar 20, 2017 10:52 pm

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There is more but these are the worst spots. Both rear arches will also need doing.
1987 325i Sport M-Tech 1 - In Absolute Pieces - www.youtube.com/restoreit - For videos on this E30.
1989 325i Touring - Undergoing a much quicker restoration
1985 320i Sedan - Future Project
BMW 1 Series M Coupe - Daily Driver
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bimanut
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Post Mon Mar 20, 2017 11:28 pm

They are simple enough repairs to get your teeth into.
I'm the guy mentioned in the NW.
Personal opinion would be not to replicate the little square pads as they are not needed and are the cause of the rot in the first place.
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Stevieabz
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Post Mon Mar 20, 2017 11:41 pm

There are a few more areas that need work. I'll add some more pics tomorrow.
But cool. I'll take that advice cheers. If I do get stuck however, I may have to drop you a message.
We'll see how it goes. I'm close to blasting the entire chassis on a rotisserie so it will be much easier to see whats going on.
1987 325i Sport M-Tech 1 - In Absolute Pieces - www.youtube.com/restoreit - For videos on this E30.
1989 325i Touring - Undergoing a much quicker restoration
1985 320i Sedan - Future Project
BMW 1 Series M Coupe - Daily Driver