Robbie260
I fix things that others have broken
- Messages
- 2,472
- Location
- Scotland highland
i'd like to do all the repairs you've mentioned and more ; such as fabrication , hydraulic systems, electrical etc. I have a background in mechanical engineering. around 5 years of theoretical knowledge and a not so impressive 1-2 years of hand on experience so I have a bit of repairing , welding and plant machinery experience . I have operating experience but not on a actual job site. I've always had a love for Heavy Machinery and Mechanical workshop , which led me to my decision to venture out and start a career where i can do both. Maybe I've bitten off more than i can chew but "nothing tried nothing done".
Right Trev you are gonna have to be prepared to spend a boat load of cash. Been setting myself up to do similar as a side thing to justify all the tools I bought for restoring my landy.
But I wouldn’t be particularly listening to the guys that are bouncing around saying you need 300 too 400 amps from the outset. Lots of the heaviest fabrication in the world is done every day with nothing more than a 110v 150 amp stick welder. You just spend a little more time and have to do a few more runs than the larger machines but the results will be the same.
I’m sorry you don’t, for speed and efficiency you will need to get them eventually but a 180 amp stick machine and a bit (a lot) of practice and that would be fine to start you with and a 6.5 minimum but preferably 8 to 10kva portable generator. A plasma with built in compressor will be your saving grace no need for a huge compressor that will ethier need space or an extra engine or a big generator to power it.
I’m not saying the bigger machines won’t be needed but more that get yourself some customers first and if it’s not going to be the only thing your doing I think it be foolish to spend that much on what is going to make up 1/3 of your business to start with I’m assuming. No point being so far in the hole at the start your stressing about getting the next job to the point where it’s very quickly no longer fun.
Also a lot of sites don’t like tools that aren’t 110v you have to jump through hoops to get them in and setup wasting time which could be spent on the repairs.
Pm me if you like.