doing welding work out of you home?

[The motor guy]

After having some welding done to my trailer I'm tempted to buy a MIG welder and do some periodic welding for people for extra money, but curious as to how long that would last until a neighbor gets mad. I mean hey if I can charge $75/hr why not? There was a guy who lived in down the street who does it out of his house, but he's in another city and I think they may not have HOA or there since they have a lot businesses on that street.

 

[BobsArmory]

If it's just once in a while AND you give a couple "special deals" to the neighbors it shouldn't be an issue unless you live in a swanky area.
BTW, check out the local Community College for a basic welding class. Very worthwhile.

 

[CT8]

I would ask if you are a certified welder and what liability insurance do you have if what ever you welded broke and did some damage?

 

[The motor guy]

Originally Posted By: BobsArmory
If it's just once in a while AND you give a couple "special deals" to the neighbors it shouldn't be an issue unless you live in a swanky area.
BTW, check out the local Community College for a basic welding class. Very worthwhile.


I did that already. I just don't have a welding machine.

 

[cat843]

You got some up front costs of say $800 for a good MIG and a similar about for a good DC stick, extra for TIG, then cutting: plasma or gas.

And then you need to learn how to do it well. Welding 1/4" steel angle iron is not too hard, welding aluminum is as is sheet metal.

You may earn some money but its not a get rich scheme.

 

[tig1]

I welded for a living for 32 years. Once I retired from full time work I started my own welding business on a part time basis. I can TIG weld Alum, stainless. bronze, etc. I also stick weld and mig weld. This works for me.

 

[The motor guy]

Originally Posted By: cat843
You got some up front costs of say $800 for a good MIG and a similar about for a good DC stick, extra for TIG, then cutting: plasma or gas.

And then you need to learn how to do it well. Welding 1/4" steel angle iron is not too hard, welding aluminum is as is sheet metal.

You may earn some money but its not a get rich scheme.


That's the nice thing is you can pick and choose what you want to do.

 

[The_Jeff]

Originally Posted By: CT8
I would ask if you are a certified welder and what liability insurance do you have if what ever you welded broke and did some damage?


Yeah this.

 

[larryinnewyork]

Growing up, my Father always had a welder in the garage.
Ark and Acetalin

He also had the only air-compressor and kids were always coming to fill up their foot balls.

With 4 children, we also had a water fountain attached to the back of house. Kept the house cleaner. Ask my Mother.

A home welder is good if only just for yourself.
It's one of those things where you ask yourself, how did I get along without it ?

Edit- This was in the 60's and 70's

 

[Pop_Rivit]

If I need something welded that I can't do myself I choose a welder with experience. If you have experience and know what you're doing then it's no problem. If you're just a guy with a welder hoping to make a few bucks on the side, then anyone who wants something welded would be smart to take it elsewhere.

 

[Dave Hess]

I thought welders make good money ?
Any ideal entry level / experienced welders make?

I'm sure if OP does quality work he will have a steady side business...

 

[The motor guy]

Originally Posted By: Mr Nice
I thought welders make good money ?
Any ideal entry level / experienced welders make?

I'm sure if OP does quality work he will have a steady side business...


That's what I thought too. You start from the bottom and pay your dues just like any other industry. They start off abour $14/hr. That's if you work for someone. A good mig welder makes $16-$17/hr. A combo welder makes like $25-$30/hr. That's someone who can do TIG/Stick/MIG welding and weld pipe or any exotic type metal.

 

[The motor guy]

You can make pretty good money welding pipe out on some pipeline for 3 weeks 300 miles away from home or you can work 12hrs a day being a pipe welder at a refinery. Honestly you're not living if all you do is work all the time. That's just my opinion.

 

[NavyVet88]

Originally Posted By: motor_oil_madman
After having some welding done to my trailer I'm tempted to buy a MIG welder and do some periodic welding for people for extra money, but curious as to how long that would last until a neighbor gets mad. I mean hey if I can charge $75/hr why not? There was a guy who lived in down the street who does it out of his house, but he's in another city and I think they may not have HOA or there since they have a lot businesses on that street.


I'm currently attending college for welding right now and I say go for it. Welding is a gold mine especially trading off work around the neighborhood. But my advice to you is like someone else mentioned here about getting a class on the type of welding you want to. Good money only comes from good welding. Especially with the cost of a mig machine, you can get a good mig welder for around 800-1200 depending on where you go and you will want your machine to pay for itself. Skilled labor isn't cheap and cheap labor isn't skilled.

 

[Chris142]

Guy here builds trailers out of his garage and puts them on main st for sale. Said he can't build them fast enough.

 

[Nick1994]

In an HOA I would worry otherwise it should be ok.

Do you have an RV gate where you can pull the steel through or weld trailers and stuff so the neighbors can't see it?

My dad taught me how to weld and I'm not too horrible at it but far from great. I want to take a welding class though.

 

[Dave Hess]

I see guys with welding trucks (Ford F250) that are mobile and travel to job sites. Maybe that is another side business you could do ?