| One of the things that seems to confuse welders | | | | table or two is the ticket. They are strong and |
| who want to start a welding business is the | | | | you can hang them on the wall to get them out |
| purchase of welding equipment. There are so | | | | of the way. |
| many options available that its hard to know | | | | You can get by with electric grinders at first and I |
| where to begin. And you do not want to make | | | | would definitely get a couple of straight grinders |
| any mistakes here because unlike buying a car or | | | | and 4 1/2 inch angle grinders with a good |
| a new set of golf clubs, this decision can really | | | | assortment of consumables. |
| make the difference between being successful or | | | | If you have a shop and not just the garage in |
| failing. For example: Should you buy new or used | | | | your home, I would recommend an oxyfuel |
| welding equipment? What brand is the best? Miller, | | | | cutting, welding, and heating kit. Very useful. |
| Lincoln, Esab, Hobart? Should you get a multi | | | | Owners size cylinders are roughly 175 each and |
| process machine like the Miller Shopmaster that is | | | | the torch kit along with cart might cost another |
| capable of Tig, Mig, Flux core, and stick welding? | | | | 300. Thats a total of 650 dollars. But you need it. |
| Or should you buy a separate machine for each | | | | In fact, you really need to have a spare cylinder |
| process? Oxyfuel cutting outfit or plasma cutter? | | | | for all your processes. Welding gas cylinders are |
| Air compressor or electric grinders? You see | | | | available in basically two kinds: leased cylinders |
| what I mean? | | | | which are the full sized cylinders used in industry, |
| This article about starting a welding business is | | | | and owners cylinders. Owners cylinders are usually |
| strictly opinion but it is based on solid experience. | | | | about 125 cubic feet or roughly half the capacity |
| It is only because I have a welding business that I | | | | of the big ones. I recommend getting two owners |
| feel qualified to weigh in on how to start a welding | | | | cylinders for everything. Why? Because running |
| business. | | | | out of argon on Saturday evening when the job is |
| Here is what I would do in a down and dirty | | | | due out Monday morning is not bad for business. |
| nutshell: | | | | Having an extra owners bottle will not add to |
| Stay away from multi process machines like the | | | | your monthly expenses and buys you time in |
| Miller Shopmaster unless you get a smoking good | | | | getting your main cylinder refilled. |
| deal on one and intend to use it for only one | | | | 2 argon, 2 argon/co2, 2 acetylene, 2 oxygen at |
| process. Why? It just takes too much time to | | | | roughly 175 each = 8x175=1400 |
| swap processes and the hoses, torches, and | | | | So here is the breakdown: |
| cables are downright unmanageable. | | | | - Used Miller syncrowave 250 2000 |
| For your main Tig welding machine, try to locate | | | | - Used Millermatic 250 or 251 1000 |
| a Miller syncrowave 250 on eBay or craigslist. If | | | | - 8 gas cylinders 1400 |
| you are patient, you can find one with all the | | | | - 4 grinders 2 straight, 2 angle 500 |
| accessories for 2000 bones or less. A bargain. | | | | - Oxyfuel kit 300 |
| For a Mig welding machine, again shop eBay or | | | | - Miller spectrum 375 plasma cutter 1400 |
| craigslist for a Millermatic 250 or 251. | | | | - 2 foldable Welding tables 300 |
| Somewhere around 1000 bucks is a good deal. | | | | - Total 6900 |
| Anything less is a steal. | | | | This list is a great beginning toward starting you |
| If you are cramped for space, a foldable welding | | | | own welding business. |