Hi, I am getting into the welding and fab business and need advice. I love this line of work and want out of the factories! My backround started 14 years ago with a Millwright appenticship at Tecumseh Products and 7 years later Ford Motor Co's Maumee Stamping which will be idle by '08. With only 7 years it didn't look go for a transfer anytime soon and within reasonable distance so I took the buyout. I tested and was accepted in Local 1393 Millrights and Piledrivers out of Rossford, Oh. but work is slow so I tool a position in maintenance at Gobal Engine in Dundee, MI. I bought my families farm shop that is 5400 sqft with 3-phase and a overhead crane. All the tools and metalworking equipment stayed so I'm ready to go. I have an old Hobart mig, Airco stick and just bought a Hypertherm 1000 plasma. I want aluminum capabilities and think a tig machine offers the most versatility and was going to buy a Dynasty 300DX tig runner but now am going to wait on the new 350DX. I like the fact of the better duty cycles. I really want out of the factories and want to make a living out of my new investment. What should I do for work? I was going to start off by hitting up the local co-op's and possibly some stone hauling businesses and offer to weld their cracked aluminum dumps. Was even thinking of approaching some local manufacturing facilities and offering welding and fab services. What else can I do? Am I on the right track? One other struggling area is what do I charge? I was thinking along the lines of $50/hr. What are you folks charging, by the job or hour?? If by the hour, how much? Any advice will be greatly appreciated!
Thank you in advance!
Shane Wyman
Modern Metalworking
Thank you in advance!
Shane Wyman
Modern Metalworking
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