Skip welding.

[bigegg]

I sold my triangle minx 150a welder today (via Gumtree) to a bloke who runs a skip company.
He's got a load of skips that need welding, and can't find anyone local + reliable to do it.
So he's bought the welder to do it himself.

Long story short - I've got a job.

It's basically gonna be cutting out wrecked areas, and welding in/on patches.
There'll be some door repair work as well.

There's a crane, and forklift, for the lifting, and apparently it's 3 or 4mm steel (so exactly what I've been welding for last 20 odd years).

Has anyone done this sort of work? Is there anything I'll need to know?

I'll be basically setting up the repair dept myself (and getting well paid for it!) It's on a much bigger scale than what I'm used to - my biggest project so far was a 18ft box trailer or the 12ft car ramps I used to make.
I usually do woodstoves and furniture!

Oh.
And it's apparently all indoor work - they have a heated workshop/hangar with a 15t crane/gantry.

And I've tried doing a search - have you any idea how many posts on here mention skips?

 

[Richard.]

Ha ha result. You flogged him a welder and he’s gonna pay you to use it. Well done on new job.
You don’t need to worry about welding skips mate they are never welded to any standard at all from what I’ve seen of them. You could probably teach them how to do it properly.

 

[mechman]

If you're doing a lot of seam welding I think the thermal cut out might come into play. I made 6 mini skips and my migatronic 180 cut out, only the once mind.

 

[gaz1]

yeah leave anything structural alone more around the area where the skip is lifted onto the wagon

you maybe fine doing the corners or weld patches back in

also take note you are respoinsible if taht skip breaks while its being transported picked up from a job

i would say its supposed to be graded

 

[rory1]

I think I've read on here that @davidjohnperry does some skip repair work?

 

[WorkshopChris]

You will probably need chains and a Hydraulic ram (Porta Pack) to get bits in place once cut.
Lots of big blocks of wood, Lever Chain Hoists are also handy.
Skips dont stay straight for long.

 

[owas]

Judging by the welds i see on the skips that are delivered to my work, you dont have to be able to weld

 

[cianh91]

As above chains are a must and some proper heavy duty clamps .
Most importantly a good sledge and ear plugs .
Access to oxy/acet is a god send as said above they don’t stay straight for long

 

[Shedendman]

I've done a few,mainly small repairs patch ups etc
TBH,they're not that worried how it looks long as it holds,how they looked at it is,an empty skip is not earning money,so get it fixed and get it out there

 

[angellonewolf]

are you hired by the company or contracted ?

 

[Shedendman]

You'll find most of your work will be the floor of the skips as these get the brunt of punishment,3mm steel sheet here
I did a floor on one of those mini 1yd buckets fairly easy really,did it with stick,few tips when doing floors,run a few lengths of angle along the bottom to strengthen it(longest run),to stop it sagging pointy edge up,a few drilled drain holes in the bottom helps
Although i ddint do any,i'd be very carefull on the lifting lugs,be damn sure you've got those right,those bits are the most important

 

[bigegg]

are you hired by the company or contracted ?

Employee

 

[Shedendman]

Oh and purchase yourself a 9'' grinder as you'll need it

 

[brightspark]

Oh and purchase yourself a 9'' grinder as you'll need it

to grind off the previous crap that didn't hold

 

[Ruffian]

I thought that was what the oxy and plasma cutter was for??

 

[angellonewolf]

Employee

if your emplyee your covered by there insurance and they are souposed to give you training to do the job so as long as you dont dosoming silly you are not at fault

 

[Shedendman]

to grind off the previous crap that didn't hold

Something like that yes,unless you want to pussyfoot around with your little ole 4'' grinder

 

[Richard.]

9” grinder is making life hard. You’ll probably find if it’s weld removal it’s arc air.

 

[WorkshopChris]

9” grinder is making life hard. You’ll probably find if it’s weld removal it’s arc air.

To most of the places i have seen skip repairs things like plasma or air arc would probably be put in the same category as magic or voodoo. They tend to be more gas axe and big hammer territory.

Although i ddint do any,i'd be very carefull on the lifting lugs,be damn sure you've got those right,those bits are the most important

I know the skip lifting equipment comes under LOLER and requires 12 month inspection, but not sure if the skip and its construction are supposed to be inspected to the same standards.

 

[Richard.]

plasma or air arc would probably be put in the same category as magic or voodoo.

Plasma yeah. Arc air is pretty old school big hammer stuff. If I was taking out long welds in a skip it’s what I’d use. Way quicker and more controlled regarding cut depth over gas.