Welding is a process used to join two pieces of metals together in a solid bond. This process is usually used for industrial work to manufacture large, heavy products like cars, planes, etc. Welding is a technique, which, if mastered, can help in many ways. You can use it to repair and make various objects. You can also start up a business by putting your skills to good use.
You can easily earn money with this skill if you use your head and get a little creative. Also, it is very legal to weld in your garage as long as it’s for personal reasons and you’re not harming others. If you are welding for business clients, you will need to check with your local zoning to ensure you are complying with local regulations. While planning to weld in your nice finished garage floor, you may be thinking of how you can protect it.
Welding sparks and splatter can stick to and melt auto glass and windows causing permanent damage. There are several welding blanket options available that are priced economically depending on size. If you want something more heavy-duty for just the floor, Rhino Mats and Hog Heaven are more expensive but a good option for protecting the area you will be welding around.
If you are just beginning and are looking for scraps to practice on or create a project, stop by a local fabrication shop and see if they have some scraps laying around you can have for free. If you are not up for asking for scraps, visit a local dumpsite. You would be amazed at what you can pick up for free. Consider placing a free advert on Craigslist or a local online Facebook Community that you are looking for scrap steel to haul away for free. Many people would be happy to get their scrap hauled away, saving them time.
It is also recommended that you should always wear a respirator even if you are welding part-time or as a hobby, especially when welding anything that has paint on it as it can be very toxic. Consider good brand respirators like the 3M 7503 with 2097 or 2297 filters. This respirator fits under your welding helmet and is great for welding fumes, dust, and particulates.
Ensure not to clean your welding areas with brake fluid or chlorine. The fumes that are given off when welding can be deadly. Meanwhile, all three known welding methods have their pros and cons especially when it comes to fumes and clean up of the welding slag. There are also different models available in both 110v – 220v standard outlets to dedicated 220. The approximate entry-level cost for an Arc Welder is around $275, not including all consumables.
Excellent for welding rusty dirty metal and very portable for working in the field with windy conditions, MIG welding is the easiest to learn of the three but some say it takes more time to master. The entry-level cost to purchase a MIG welder is around $550, again not including all consumables. MIG can weld a wide range of materials – thin metal-like auto bodywork to thicker heavy-duty welding jobs. TIG Welding is the cleanest of the three welding processes. It gives off very little fumes with no splatter, less noise and produces superior-looking finished welds.
How to Start Making Money Welding in Your Garage
Welders are one of the most paid tradesmen in modern America. Reports have it that by 2022, the demand for welders will grow by a whopping 26%. To become a welder, you don’t need a college degree. A high school diploma along with on-the-job technical training is all you need. It is optional to have a welding certificate. But you will have to understand that welding is a skill-based job. The more skilled you are, the more opportunities that you are going to get.
The first step to take when planning to set up your welding business in your garage is to learn the basics of welding. The best way is to be an apprentice to a skilled worker. You can learn from their experience. You must also consider the tools and materials you will have to buy. As for materials, if you are confident enough, you can buy a lot of them at one go, or it may be wise to test your skills out with a few first. The amount of money you budget for this will depend much on the type of welding you do and the materials you use because certain metals are far more expensive than others.
It’s also important you choose a niche. If you can serve a specific group of customers and become a specialist in the job they want, you’re far more likely to get better customer retention through your reputation in that niche. Once you’ve decided on a niche, simply apply for jobs or answer advertisements for this sort of work. The key is to only go for this sort of work so you can build up a decent portfolio. This way you can start building up your reputation in that niche. Note that with a solid reputation, work will surely come to you.
Have it in mind that building a reputation from the scratch is hard work and can take a long time. Look for well-planned avenues to showcase your work, or at least have a way for people to find the material. Whether you’re applying for work or you’re amongst other welders on a client’s shortlist, it’s important for your work to be seen. This can make all the difference between getting a job and having your name thrown in the bin.
Leverage Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter – whichever you feel suits your audience best to showcase your content. Take several pictures of your work and talk people through the process of what you’ve done. Also, strive to provide customers and other welders with value, they may learn something from you and this builds your reputation as not only a good welder, but one that cares for the art of welding.
YouTube and Facebook are proving that people prefer more human interaction when it comes to digesting information. Most modern smartphones will give you good enough quality and even then, it’s the content that counts. Remember that the majority of the time, what you say is worth more than what you can show. YouTube and Facebook can draw huge attention to your corner of the web and with affiliate marketing and advertising, you’ll soon find money knocking at your door.
Conclusion
Making money in the welding industry especially when you are working from your personal garage, comes from taking action and growing your reputation; and both taking action and building a reputation take time. As a newbie in the industry, you’re going to need a lot of patience for this. It’s not something that will happen overnight. Small, steady progress is best, avoid trying to do too much at once. If you have some industry experience under your belt, things might come a little quicker. The experience you have and networking have built your reputation.
Leverage past work and your colleagues and you’ll see things take off well. Once you have a good reputation in the niche of your choice; you can consider branching out or building further into that niche. Consider writing articles, recording videos, taking pictures, and sharing them. Guide people through projects they may want to do themselves or people commonly ask you how to do. Become an authority in your niche. Develop yourself and your reputation and the money will surely come.