Roll Cage design.

[Greg72]

BIG BLZN I emailed him earlier when I saw your first post. I called up 4xdoctor in Burbank and they quoted me $2500 for a simple roll cage, no seat attachments. Where is that smiley with the eyes popping out. I need 3 of them right now. I know that's the going rate at a shop but I can not spend that much money on a cage.

I can't say I'm surprised. Was that for a cage tied to the frame below, or just a drop in 6-point cage?

This might be a situation where you are asking for "champagne on a beer budget". A basic drop-in cage should be a lot cheaper than $2500, but if you want the frame tie-ins and integrated seat mounts you probably are going to keep seeing quotes like that (at least from professional shops).

There is a LOT more labor involved when you ask someone to tie everything to the frame....more tubing, more cuts, more fitting, more hours. Most would agree that it's a great way to go, but maybe a drop-in cage with integral seat mounts would provide adequate protection (at a cheaper price)?? I'd guess that labor rates in your area are at least $85/hr for fabrication plus materials. A simple cage is usually around 100' of tube. So you're looking at maybe $500 in material costs, and about 24 hours worth of labor (estimate) for the cage quote you received. Material costs are fixed, so if you want a $1500 cage instead of $2500.....you need to come up with a cage design that can be built in about 12 hours, not 24.

Your first post referenced the fact that you've built lots of cages in the past....presumably you understand the time involved to measure, bend and fit the tubing. Custom work will take time...complex designs will take even longer. If you can find a more traditional cage design that has been done a few times already, the shop will be able to do it quicker (and cheaper) for you.

Another thing to consider: You don't necessarily have to do the complete cage all at once. You could start with a basic 6-point drop-in cage now, then in 6 months, have the seat mounts integrated and add some triangulation. Another 6 months later, tie the whole thing to the frame if that's still what you want to do.

It's hard to recommend that you try to "cut corners" on something as important as a safety item like a rollcage. The best suggestion I can make is to spread out the costs so that you still end up with a high-quality cage, but in a more affordable way.

 

[blazindorito]

Greg72,
I have never built a cage before so I don't know what is involved with a cage. I do know that you are correct again in that it does involve a lot of detailed work. The price I was quoted was with no integrated seat mounts but being tied to frame. I understand that I will not get champagne at a beer budget but what I am looking for is a weekend fabricator that does it as spare cash to help themselves out.

At this point I am not going to take it to a shop and pay a lot of money. That's why I was asking questions on how to do it properly so that I can do it. I feel very comfortable with doing this. It's just those questions in my head that I would like to get answered to do it right.

 

[sapper]

I will sell you mine, of course your doors and roof would have to come off.

 

[Big Blzn]

BIG BLZN I emailed him earlier when I saw your first post. I called up 4xdoctor in Burbank and they quoted me $2500 for a simple roll cage, no seat attachments. Where is that smiley with the eyes popping out. I need 3 of them right now. I know that's the going rate at a shop but I can not spend that much money on a cage.

Ernesto
Feel free to use my Lincoln SP135 anytime. It's new and I don't use it much and should work great for a cage. I'm just down the 405 in Costa Mesa. PM me if that is the route you take. You would just need a bender, notcher and some know-how. I'd help too. Not that I have the fab skills but maybe two heads is better than one and we could both learn. Just a thought.
Hoby

 

[blazindorito]

BIG BLZN,

Thanks a lot, it means a lot to me. I think if I do end up doing this then I will buy my own welder that way I have another tools. You are more than wlecomed to come out and help me with this project. I am thinking the week of March 18th - March 21st. I will keep you informed. With my brain I need someone to remind me where I left my beer or I will never finish one. Just kidding. I will not drink while doing a safety cage.

Thanks.

 

[Big Blzn]

BIG BLZN,

Thanks a lot, it means a lot to me. I think if I do end up doing this then I will buy my own welder that way I have another tools. You are more than wlecomed to come out and help me with this project. I am thinking the week of March 18th - March 21st. I will keep you informed. With my brain I need someone to remind me where I left my beer or I will never finish one. Just kidding. I will not drink while doing a safety cage.

Thanks.

Fine. I'll drink and you work. Sounds fair to me. Let me know for sure and I'll be there.

 

[Greg72]

Greg72,
I have never built a cage before so I don't know what is involved with a cage. I do know that you are correct again in that it does involve a lot of detailed work. The price I was quoted was with no integrated seat mounts but being tied to frame. I understand that I will not get champagne at a beer budget but what I am looking for is a weekend fabricator that does it as spare cash to help themselves out.

At this point I am not going to take it to a shop and pay a lot of money. That's why I was asking questions on how to do it properly so that I can do it. I feel very comfortable with doing this. It's just those questions in my head that I would like to get answered to do it right.

Well, if you decide to try it as a DIY project I will offer some help with my BendTech Pro software. If you need help figuring out bend angles, lengths, etc. I can run the numbers through it and post up what you'll need to do for each major part of the cage.

 

[blazindorito]

Greg72,
I appreciate that. I am 90% sure now that I will do this by myself. I will contact you when I get the other stuff.

Thank You,
Ernesto