Make money from this..?

[carbine]

Hello all,

I've been at college and will pass my MIG welding course soon, I'm not bad at it (so I've been told!) and have some equipment. Once I'm qualified I'm going to do the same course again using MMA and maybe gas welding too. The term is only half way through and I've done all the tests now.

I'm really hoping to go out on my own soon, and see if I can get some work doing this. I have a full time job, but I could see if I can get some customers during evenings and weekends. Then see how it goes..

I have my own van, MIG welder (185 amp) generator, lights, angle grinders, clamps, benches etc.

I'm just trying to figure out, is it worth me spending a lot of time learning fabrication, or will most of the work be actual welding? I enjoy welding a lot more than I do removing paint from old steel! I know this is a bit of an open question, but I'm interested to see what other people have to say..

Thanks

 

[Cris B]

Sounds like you have all you need to get started, so give it ago. I would make sure your van insurance covers you for all of your gear in the back.

 

[RedOrZed]

Sounds like you have all you need to get started, so give it ago. I would make sure your van insurance covers you for all of your gear in the back.

I would be finding somewhere very secure to leave it overnight with that lot in the back!

As for the original question, you'll probably find it's a lot more about the fabrication than is it the welding. If you're going out to customers, they are probably going to want you to make something, rather than just weld together something they've made; anyone capable of fabricating something out of metal is going to be able to master welding IMO, of course.

I would recommend A) you do some market research and B) you take this to a local small business advisor. The government used to provide them, as did banks.

And don't forget the good ol' tax man

 

[Ratty]

Hi Carbine, where in Suffolk are you? I may occasionally be able to put work your way. Removing paint from old steel? Sounds more like car repair than fabrication to me!

 

[carbine]

Thanks, I figured that may be the case! Unless it's repair work I guess..?
I will start learning as much as I can about fabrication too then I think!

I may see if I can get into doing some work with a local fabrication firm. I dare say I'm quite mechanically minded, so I don't *think* it will take me long to pick it up. Will probably do some more college as well.

Like I say, I'm not going out to earn all my income from welding, that would be crazy! I hope to slowly pick work up as I go along. Then sort the tax man out when the income from welding is higher than my current job!

 

[carbine]

Hi Ratty, lol, I've been having to remove paint from old steel I've been acquiring from my some of my mates who are farmers! Been making stuff for myself, ramps etc.

I'm in Newmarket at the moment, but might be moving back to Thetford before long!

 

[Ratty]

Ah the delightful Thetford close neighbour then, Newmarket isn't too far from me either. Pm your contact details, always handy to know related craftsmen who are happy to work on site.

 

[cumbriasteve]

Thanks, I figured that may be the case! Unless it's repair work I guess..?
I will start learning as much as I can about fabrication too then I think!

I may see if I can get into doing some work with a local fabrication firm. I dare say I'm quite mechanically minded, so I don't *think* it will take me long to pick it up. Will probably do some more college as well.

Like I say, I'm not going out to earn all my income from welding, that would be crazy! I hope to slowly pick work up as I go along. Then sort the tax man out when the income from welding is higher than my current job!

You need to sort the tax man within 3 months of starting any paying self employment or they will hit you with a fine and THEIR assessment of how much you owe, it will be a LOT more than your assessment.

You also need 3rd party insurance, a claim for arc flash to a member of the public could be more than you earn in 3 months.

Not trying to dampen your enthusiasm, just being realistic....good luck with whatever you try.

 

[StockEngineer]

Well I would look at it in a different way...
Depending on the amount you will be earning, I would base it on that whether to declare it or not!
Lets say if you work for £50 per day, 3 days a week. Thats not worth declaring IMO!

 

[carbine]

Good point,

for now, I will do public liability and tradesman insurance for the stuff in the back. Just in case they get past the rear doors backed right up to the house, steel mesh over the windows, film, and the locks!

Then when the world realises what a great welder I am (pmsl!) and I can't keep up with demand, I will then get a small business accountant that my friends use for my income tax.

Kinda crapping myself now though, thinking how much I have to learn.. fabrication is a hell of a skill to do properly itself, let alone getting perfect stack of coins welds on massive vertical beams or heat exchangers with a stick welder! I passed the final exams on MIG last night, so I know I can do that, but that's just the beginning..

 

[pedrobedro]

My brother in law is a groundworker doing site work and has a few lads working for him. Stuff like Stihl saws and whacker plates does not get left in the van any more as even with the vans locked, armoured and in a compound they still get stolen. He asked the insurance how much more it would cost to cover the tools and was quoted in the region of £4000 per annum on top of vehicle insurance as the damage caused when breaking in was covered separately. If there's anything in there worth having nothing will keep them out or they will just steal the van and empty it somewhere else at their leisure.

 

[chip-kobb]

Carbine i'd reccomend taking the tig welding course over the gas welding course as it would be more use in the long run as for the fab courses get through as many as you can! You don't say what you do now but if you can get a job in a smallish fab shop you'll be able to pick up a lot from the more experianced pro's,the best bit of advice i was ever given was "there's always something new to learn" good luck

 

[StockEngineer]

Maybe you should see what fab shops there are around you, See if you can get on with them, learn how to do it and the trick of the trade.
Im sure youll do well either way!

 

[carbine]

Thanks for the info all, much appreciated!