verdesard0g
Search and Rescue first responder
Everyone above me already said what needed to be said......
I am looking for recommendations for a good designer, willing to turn my SketchUp ideas into spec'd drawings.don’t assume that someone is a good designer just because you think they are smart and they get paid.
As both a licensed Professional Engineer and a certified welder I can attest that both engineers and welders think the other is a abject moron and must have their hand held at every step. They're both wrong and right.I see a few issues here.
1) don’t assume that someone is a good designer just because you think they are smart and they get paid. Some of the worst products in the world were still designed by paid engineers. In order for the welder to produce something good, he must have good skills and a good design.
2) you stated that you don’t know the alloy. In aluminum product design, that is an unforgivable sin. If you don’t know it, assume he doesn’t know it, and it might not have the same material properties as those assumed by your designer. Spec what you need, buy what you spec... again, a good designer will know the right combination of material, strength, and workability to get the best overall product cost.
I see a few issues here.
1) don’t assume that someone is a good designer just because you think they are smart and they get paid. Some of the worst products in the world were still designed by paid engineers. In order for the welder to produce something good, he must have good skills and a good design.
2) you stated that you don’t know the alloy. In aluminum product design, that is an unforgivable sin. If you don’t know it, assume he doesn’t know it, and it might not have the same material properties as those assumed by your designer. Spec what you need, buy what you spec... again, a good designer will know the right combination of material, strength, and workability to get the best overall product cost.
3) I think you are probably getting what you pay for. $8k seems really low to me for materials AND labor on a large aluminum project done as a one-off and properly welded. Just getting the individual frames square should require building some jigs and support structures and fully welding those frames before proceeding.
4) getting this right isn’t cheap... I think you are learning firsthand why manufactured trailers and campers have high costs (note I still build my own most of the time, despite the cost)
Good luck, but I would suggest that entire thing go to the recycling yard and you start over.
I am looking for recommendations for a good designer, willing to turn my SketchUp ideas into spec'd drawings.
Want to avoid over-building, robust but focus on light weight, just strong enough for safe longevity.
Happy to work with someone outside the US, but material specs must use what is cost-effectively available here.
In addition to referrals to specific individuals, suggestions as to online platforms for putting such work out to bid would be welcome.
It's possible he can weld steel fine. Although deviating from the cut sheet and the fit up aren't indicators of good work and I wouldn't personally trust or recommend him.He was not the lowest bid and came with good referrals. Lesson learned.
maybe if the initial approach was email, no middleman platform involved?the two guys I would recommend have retired from crowd-sourced work
As both a licensed Professional Engineer and a certified welder I can attest that both engineers and welders think the other is a abject moron and must have their hand held at every step. They're both wrong and right.
Even if one was willing to disregard rules of the crowdsourcing platform, i'd be careful working directly with a freelancer if they are not somewhat local. most crowdsourcing platforms enforce mechanisms to protect both the customer and service provider. it's typically not worth the risk for successful freelancers - they will be kicked out for skirting the rules.maybe if the initial approach was email, no middleman platform involved?