Welding Generator & Mobile welding

[MigTig]

Maybe a stupid idea or dream I came up with was to have a go at a bit of mobile welding.
I have varius qualifications, including a year welding training. Im only 18 so like all other unemployed peeps looking for work, its very hard to get a job without University grades.
Im thinking of doing a little mobile welding for repairs and light or very light construction. MY aim is not to make a fortune, mearly to do a part time job that I enjoy and earn a little money from it as I live at home and am fed up of it
Will have a driving licence shortly and can use the company VW van where I live so space wouldnt be a problem untill I can buy something more suitable.
Crazy? probably. Any advice to stop me doing this would probably be apreciated
If this could work out, what kind of generator would you suggest? I would also buy a bigger Mig from Weldequip (Portamig) and already have a Plasma cutter on the way. I can Tig, Gas, and Mig weld, never did much Arc welding however. But I could do evening courses for it at a local college where I studied Mig Tig and OxyA welding. I do own a Tig welder that works very well and could get me going. Would I need an Ac/Dc generator?

I currently fix small tools and wheelbarrows, though fun, I would prefer a little more variation, and being on the road a little.
Also would insurance be a problem of carrying gas? other I could do disposable cylinders.

Hope I dont seem like a nutter, im just getting a little desperate to be outside of home more

 

[rtbcomp]

If you can do tig get in touch with a firm that does motor scooter restorations. I do gritblasting for such a firm and get a couple of bikes month to do. Invariably they have splits in the leg-guards and side panels that need repairing.

 

[WouldBWelder]

At least you're prepared to get off your backside and do something which is to be encouraged ...

I don't know a lot about it but I should think you should tout yourself round a few smaller repair shops, put a few ads in windows here and there - a lot of work is generated through word of mouth in the pub, I know a bloke etc etc ...

Others can answer about generators etc - I wouldn't know. But if you think you can make a success of it - however small - then you can and will I'm sure.

Best of luck.

 

[MigTig]

Thanks chaps
I thought the first post would be telling me 'theres no money in such jobs...''
But Im pretty certain that loads of people own tools etc that need repairing rather then thrown out. I hate this 'disposable planet' we now are.
Obviously I could do a little more training and aquire some more kit, I have a slow paying job at the moment, about 500pm this allows me to buy a new bit of kit every now and then.

Would there be an insurance etc I would need for work like this? somehow the goverment will want some money off me..

 

[rtbcomp]

Public liability insurance just in case you set fire to someone's house, perhaps goods in transit insurance if you carry customers' goods, vehicle insured for business use, critcal illness insurance (be careful - it's a rip-off),

 

[weldequip]

somehow the goverment will want some money off me..

If you ain't careful mate they'll have it all! Keep ploughing any profits into new equipment, new vehicles, Mum's wages for doing your accounts!, whatever; get it spent & don't hoard it! cause if you do, those F***ers will want it off you to pour down the drain
I know it's premature cause you are not off the ground yet, but that's sound advice.
weldequip

Oh, and welders draw a lot of juice so you would need a large generator, 7Kva+ ideally, although you could get away with a smaller one for light duty work.

 

[MigTig]

Do you supply generators, or have an idea of what exactly I need and the price? all the generators I looked into are around 5kva or less. I know nothing about electrics I could star off with a light generator and as you say, invest in more/better kit. I love to spend money so no problem there. Thanks for the advice all much apreciated!

I somehow need to earn my freedom, and not make a big mess of it either, but living at home for 18 years is enough..

 

[rtbcomp]

as far as money goes - save 20% of everything you earn above your tax allowance, that way you'll avoid spending money on capital which is NOT tax deductable and so not have enough cash to pay your tax. Get in touch with your local Job Centre Plus, they'll probably introduce you to an organisation called SENTA who will hold your hand free of charge for a year. (The downside is that you may have to produce a business plan)

 

[snowcat]

I run a 5kva and a lincoln inverter works very well, arc is still king in the field as far as im concerened, anything that can come back to the workshop does i find a well equiped workshop alot more easy to work from than my pick up truck. public liability a must i carry 6 mil. I only have my workshop insured for theft as tools in transit insurance is mega bucks.

 

[Hitch]

Portability will be a key factor. A decent genny will be heavy.
If your thinking about migs, look at the portable Kemppi sets, smaller than a clarke or similar, but 10 times better. You get what you pay for though.

If you plan on doing virtually all mobile stuff, a mosa or similar machine would be a good investment, you can get mig/tig attachments for them as well as the standard stick sets. Again, not the cheapest option, but it will undoubtably last.

Another thing will be your insurance, mega money for a new male driver. I paid over £1000 for my first year. Will you be insured on a works vehicle at 18? some companys/vehicles have to be 25+

As another (fairly) youngster, although its hard work living with parents, drag it out, and pocket as much cash as possible before you jump ship, unless they really do your head in!

 

[AVENLEY 10]

First make sure you have public liability insurance to around the £2 million mark because if you want to make any real money at this you will at some stage have to work for companies and local authorities and they wont entertain you unless you have this .Also in this enlightened age there are parasites that will hurt themselves on purpose to claim against you.Learn to stick weld as this is by far the most versatile on site welding method and also pound for pound a welder generator is better value than a large 7kva generator, with some being able to be carried around by one person(MOSA Magic Arc).Watch your axle weights with large generators placed in the wrong place in a van or in a small van as this could get you in trouble with Vosa.
Do not rely on "could you just weld my car" jobs as these tend to be more hassle then their worth and agree a price beforehand because after three hours hard work some people think their doing you a favour by offering£40 or a good drink. Hope this does not sound too depressing but in the times we live in its all too easy to fall foul of legislation and the something for nothing culture

 

[snowcat]

yes good kit will serve you well, pro gear is a diffrent kettle of fish to a diy set, Spend a few grand and it will last you forever. Chinese gear just doesnt cut the mustard in the field , nothing more frustrating than haveing equipment that is just not up to the job.

 

[Gasman]

Initialy I would simply specify to customers that you need to have power available whenever possible for your MIG domestic gates/trailers/cars/farm repairs or perhaps just hire a nice genset welder for worthwhile jobs & gain experiance until you have found your "Market".
You might shell out now only to find your machine does'nt fit the type of work you find!!When you have earned a few quid then perhaps buy a more profesional machine
(I can source welders/gensets and gas if required)
Ditto the rest of the guys on the insurance side and good luck

 

[MigTig]

Thanks very much for the replies
Just a matter of time.. saving up (sooo slowww) and passing my driving test in a couple of months.
A local Ironmongers have offered to direct customers in my direction with products in need of repair Im thinking of nocking up a business contact card and finishing the workshop off, this way I can atleast do minor repairs whilst saving and prehaps training further.

 

[Pikey365]

Mig eh?

I learn't on a old oxford stick, I then moved on to a MIG, I learnt cast iron stick then went to aluminium mig, I love TIG best of both worlds. If you have the chance use a TIG,use it, otherwise play with a gas set! Welding is like sex, play nice and slow!Till the heat is on, then pull it out!

 

[snowcat]

pikey MIGTIG vanished about 18 months ago without a trace

 

[irondarren]

Funny thing is migtig was quite an active member of the forum, yet disapeared, does make you wonder how some that have disapeared got on.

 

[Robotstar5]

MIGTIG vanished about 18 months ago without a trace

Conspiracy theory? - Twilight zone

 

[snowcat]

Conspiracy theory? - Twilight zone

something on Malcolm maybe???

 

[malcolm]

Wasne me. And I wasne there