Small Shop Provides Heavy-Duty Services
For Companies From New York to Mexico

"Everybody should have all of this equipment when they start out."

That’s according to Chuck Rivard, Owner of CV Welding in Kankakee, IL, who has two Piranhas – a PII-88 Ironworker and a 1/4-10 Piranha Shear.

Rivard’s business started in a two-car garage about 35 years ago. The shop’s focus was to provide repair services for anyone needing a fix for a metal item. Rivard repaired everything from kitchen tables to large parts for construction and farm equipment.

Business Is Good

CV Welding grew and moved into its current location seven years ago. When Rivard purchased the shop it was 12,000 sq.ft. After only three years, the facility went through its first expansion, growing to 16,000 sq.ft.. The next addition may be in the near future.

"There’s a lot of work for us – all the way from New York to Mexico," says Rivard. "We do a lot of repair jobs on construction and farm equipment, but handle whatever jobs come to us." A recent project involved producing components and building 12 gooseneck trailers, with the possibility of more to come.

Two employees have joined Rivard’s initial one-man operation. John Baker and Justine Miller both step in to run the equipment and provide any type of welding needed.

Heavy-Duty Flexibility

Rivard purchased his Piranha Dual Operator Ironworker while still in his garage location with an eye to his future growth. He was looking for a versatile, heavy-duty machine.

The PII-88 gave Rivard 88 tons of punching power for holes up to 1-1/16" in material up to 1" thick, with capability of 19 strokes per minute. The large, open punch station accepts an unlimited range of optional equipment and special tooling. The machine with it’s options provide a round and square bar shear; a plate shear capacity of 24"; a 5"x5"x3/8" angle shear; and a 2-3/4"x4"x1/4" coper-notcher and a bending attachment up to 48" long.

"We use all the capabilities very much," he explains. "It’s twice as nice to have a machine that two operators can work on."

Rivard looked at several ironworkers before choosing the Piranha. He knew he needed a machine that could handle the varying thicknesses and the heavy the steel he uses for most of his jobs. "I looked at other machines before I bought this one and they just weren’t built as well." Rivard says, "The Piranha is a much better value ‘dollar for pound’."

In 2000, shortly after the move, the Piranha shear joined CV Welding’s capability mix. The Model 1/4-10 quickly and accurately shears _" mild steel and 3/16" stainless. The back gauge control with digital electronic readout simplifies accuracy and automatically retracts during the shearing stroke.

What’s in the future for CV Welding? Perhaps another shop expansion; perhaps more hands to keep the jobs flowing through; and ... perhaps ... a Piranha Press Brake.