starting up

KennyA · Oct 16, 2011

Hi there i'm looking to start up making little bits and bobs in spare time. Not looking to be a business quite yet as I'm still learning a lot. I'm looking into building the likes of gates, plant holders, trailers, ornaments etc. I have a welder and power tools etc. Going to purchase a pillar drill and chop saw.

I'm wondering where i could get my hands on some scroll jigs/ or am i better buying all ready made ones off the net ( not as fun that way).

I'm also wondering is there any decent places on net for buying steel at low prices?

What else would you recommend I should purchase for stuff like this?

Or maybe you've got to much jigs/tools and are happy to sell on to a starter?

Thanks in advance
Any help appreciated

cumbriasteve · Oct 16, 2011

Hi kenny
I am or was in the same line of retirement hobby work, however it got a bit too busy so I have eased off a bit and only do the occasional gate and some small bits and bobs now.

I found a bandsaw better than the chop saw, I have both but only use the chop saw if cutting away from the workshop.

The metalcraft brand of jigs take some beating for quality, don't be fooled by the cheaper Chinese one's on Ebay.

I also like this one
http://northerncreativemetalarts.co...NG-MACHINE-FOR-ROLLING-ARCH-TOPS-AND-CIRCLES-

Although I found it easier to buy the scrolls in, with the price of steel it was hardly worth making them.

Buying steel online is not the best way to obtain stock, I priced it and it was 75% dearer than my local steel supplier.

There is always a market for quality stuff, although at the moment it's a bit slack as most non essential purchase business is.

One tip for a good earner is shop sign brackets, easy to make, possible to post and advertises your own work well, I have sent them all over the UK and even a few to Europe when I was going at it full time.

Welderpaul · Oct 16, 2011

As above, its not worth making scrolls. Buy them from the likes of DC Iron or similar.
Steel is best bought from a supplier rather than on line. Just buy what you need and haggle. Margins are tight on the sort of thing you are looking to do, so any pennies you can save on materials are well earnt.