Trailer Sheet Metal Shop

[drcustom]

Anybody care to share some info./suggestions for stocking a trailer to make duckwork on-site? Experiences, lessons- learned definately appreciated. Thanks...

[infwsdm]

What are you doing?

residential? commercial? new construction? retrofits?

first tool:

A ruler;)

[2hot2coolme]

OK... as long as the trailer isn't in a Park :D

[drcustom]

Mostly residential. New construction and retrofits split 50:50. The shop I use for metal, while I like their work, is ridiculously expensive: 10-15% price increases each time I turn around. While I understand the rising steel costs, their plasma machines and other overhead aren't cheap either. I need pleanums, transitions, return boxes, filter racks etc. I have some experience fabricating having been in the Local 25 shop for a few years before leaving amicably to do my own thing. I would love to set up an ad hoc shop on-site and make a sweet transition rather then have a delay while the shop makes the ductwork. Thanks again...

[Senior Tech]

4 foot brake, pittsburgh, all the hand tools and a 4x8 work bench...oh yeah...metal too.
All of our installs are done off the back of a box truck so there is plenty more here not mentioned. Going back to the shop to make any transitions, boxes, etc..., is not neccesary unless you have a large job requiring numerous pieces.

[Edited by senior tech on 11-03-2004 at 07:47 AM]

[drcustom]

Thanks senior tech. Do you recommend a generator? Anybody happen to have pics of their setups?

[Senior Tech]

Originally posted by drcustom
Thanks senior tech. Do you recommend a generator? Anybody happen to have pics of their setups?

Sorry, no pics...and no generator. We run a cord to customers and burn their power...

[drcustom]

Anyone else out there have some tips for trailing enoungh hardware to fabricate? Should I pick up a finger brake to preform double duty, pans/boxes as well as regular rectangular duct? Portable pittsburgs worth the cost? Minimum dimension for a suitable trailer?

[swany]

We use an enclosed 16' x 7' trailer for our sheetmetal shop. At the front we have shelving to store installation materials and tools. We manufactured a fold down sheetmetal table that also serves as the metal storage area between it and the wall. Pittsburg machine is setting towards the backend and a Malco 4' brake that can be set on the layout table to bend metal. It is a simple yet very effective way to help on installations. Power comes from a cord run to the customers home, but we have a generator we can use if need be.

[drcustom]

Swarmy,
Sounds like a nice set up, expecially the fold down table pulling double duty. Thanks for the reply. More welcome...

[2hot2coolme]

Obviously you'll want something you can stand up in while fabricating, also make sure that you utilize all the space you can.
Build some bins that won't get in the way, but can be used for storing some truck stock items so you don't find yourself running to the supply house for simple items.

I don't know how much ductwork you plan on fabricating (not a whole house i hope) I usually just use my set-up for fabricating plenums on site, transitons, or a custom fitting, but I think it would be cheaper to buy pre-made ductwork for bigger jobs. Try to shop around if there are many suppiers in your area, you'd be suprised on some of the price differences between vendors

You definatley want to get a trailer big enough to stand in with a portable 4 ft brake (at least)... pittsburg is something that would pay for itself.