welding rig ideas?

[GemCityJake]

You can't go too far wrong doing a little "market research". What I mean is to (1) Talk to someone doing that sort of work if you can find anyone and ask what they use or DON'T USE and/or wish they had. (2) Talk to your target customers and find out what kind of welding there is a demand for. (3) After doing (1) and (2) try to figure out what sorts of jobs YOU will do and what kind of equipment will give you the best return. You can NOT have a tool or a machine for everything and you might as well start out with the stuff that you will use most and that will maximize your "bang for the bucks spent". I guess what I am saying is that you will do best matching the tools to the jobs you will be doing.

Yes...that makes sense. Like I've said before...I'm a full time welder but I've always worked in shops. So I've never had to purchase anything of my own. So I figured I'd get some input on here first. Thank you for the advice.

[Gmmandan]

Buy a used engine drive with leads and a grinder. That will start you out I bought a ranger 8 as my first machine engine drive till I made some money and got a new bobcat then a trailblazer then the pro 300. When I first started out I had my ran my ranger out of the back of my truck with a dewalt grinder that I borrowed from my dad. Everytime I got paid I bought one tool a grinder, tub of rods, cutting wheels grinding wheels, extra leads, mig machine, spool gun, a trailer, It is alot easier to get it one piece at a time .

[Rezeppa]

welding rig ideas?

Ok so seriously with more information. Do you have a truck? If so just do as previously stated. It is not extremely difficult to set up a general farm repair rig with a 6" grinder and a 225amp engine drive welder and start small. Then go for a cutting rig and air. Once you get Air and a torch set then a few comealongs. Maybe a class 6 truck is over kill and a 825 air compressed might be a little bit more air than you would need. There is another option if your on an extremely tight budget look into a portable inverter like a Maxstar 150 or 200. And build from there. i know a lot of people that have invested a lot of money and not made a return on it so be practical. I don't know what your situation is power wise by the work your going to be performing. I have made almost as much money with my Maxstar than grabbing a full service truck with a TB300D torch set up and the who nine yards.

[elvis]

Something I forgot in my first post with real information... Don't forget rod... You'll need a good selection for different tasks. Plus you'll need a good way to store it and transport it without chipping flux. If you plan to add a wire feeder, hf tig, or plasma make sure that you plan it out so that you have consumable and wire storage.

[Sberry]

post 14 says it all, simple is good. I dont have every gadget on my service truck, simple stick welding and torch.

[Sideline welding]

welding rig ideas?

Hey start simple, a engine driven welder, a grinder and torches. That how i got started, theen i built a skid with tool boxes and cable reels And a fab table

[beamwalker]

I work out of a ford explorer have 302 tb on trailer torches grinders and my consumables stay dry in the explorer. 2 suitcases hoods what have you

[Daniel]

Make sure you have a suitcase with your welder, if you show up with only a stinger for a job, you wont get called up again, because stick is way to slow. the only time I use stick is when it is very windy or to start a crack that has dirt inside that I cant clean up.
A trailblazer with an airpack is one of your best choice to atart if you can afford the expence, if not you can always get a good compressor with any engine driving welder.
Gauging equipment is a must as it make life so much easier when you have to deal with cracks and so on.
Good luck

[Hannah]

Place for Welding ideas

Bayview Metals, the metal fabrication company in Toronto provides exciting services!

[Guesswho392]

I'm a starting out mobile welding business with a bobcat 225 nt but looking at the forums have me considering a maxstar with a miller 12vs but someone said CLEAN power to run them. Can a generator from lowes carry those 2 and run it out of an suv?

[Guesswho392]

Of course running the exhaust out the back with a mod exhaust and the back dorrs open to run the gen for fresh air. To lessen carrying the extra 1200 lbs trailer less it's warranted.

[c wagner]

I'm a starting out mobile welding business with a bobcat 225 nt but looking at the forums have me considering a maxstar with a miller 12vs but someone said CLEAN power to run them. Can a generator from lowes carry those 2 and run it out of an suv?

Sorry but the Maxstar won't run the 12vs if that's what your thinking.

[Guesswho392]

Sorry but the Maxstar won't run the 12vs if that's what your thinking.[/QUOTE]

I couldn't help but notice you have some nice wielding tool in your arsenal. I looked at a millermatic 200 of course I really liked it I won't be tigging much but to perfect the basics. I mainly want a hd 220 mig occasionally stick. tig is a bonus. On your opinion what would fit the bill for putting the ????? Watt gen and what machine would your recomend. I wish it could be a dynasty but not totally crazy still want the equipment to fit an suv. Mig upto 1/2 3/4 being hopeful.

[MMW]

Guesswho392, If your looking at migging 1/2" & 3/4" plate then your not going to rig up an suv. An engine drive with a feeder, 12 rc or 12 vs is your answer. A genset with a compact mig, passport, multimatic, mm211 is not going to work very well & the duty cycle is low. You mention you already have a trailer so I would rig that. Instead of buying a genset invest in a 12vs to run off your bobcat.