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Howdy everyone. Been lurking for a while trying to find the best option for my business idea. I've been taking welding classes and and I've really picked up on it quickly. I can TIG halfway decent and MIG pretty well also. Gonna learn stick here shortly. Before I start though I need a machine! At first I was looking at running a thermal arc 211i and running it off a 9000w generator I found at Northern Tool. After some research I figured out that running a welder off a cheap generator is a good way to fry a machine. My next step was looking into the engine driven welders. I ended up settling on the Lincoln Ranger 250 GXT for the AC/DC abilities and being able to hook up a foot control. My LWS has it for $3795. I also got a buddy who is giving me a smoking deal on an XMT 304 CC/CV with a 22A wire feeder for under a grand. So my question is are both of those good reliable machines? Would I be better off getting a Ranger 225 for $3299 and welding off of the XMT only and using the ranger for a power source? I plan on using the XMT for MIG right now and the ranger for TIG and Stick, unless the XMT would be better at those also. Also would it be better to get a $1900 TIG module for the 250gtx or just buy a separate welder for Aluminum? Thanks for any input!Lone Star Mobile Welding, LLC2006 Ram 3500Lincoln Ranger 250GXTHypertherm 30 AirK2000 CAG ESAB Rebel 215ic Milwaukee mag drillDewalt dry cut sawMilwaukee metal cutting circular sawMilwaukee M18 Fuel Chisholm Lead Reels
Reply:Originally Posted by achirdo I've been taking welding classes and and I've really picked up on it quickly. I can TIG halfway decent and MIG pretty well also. Gonna learn stick here shortly. Thanks for any input!
Reply:Keep your day job and weld on the side nights and weekends. I started in welding as a hobby with a grinder, chop saw and miller 135 mig in my garage . It was a night and weekend hobby that I did without any expectations for years. I used each customer to improve my skills and upgrade equipment. It was several years into it that i realized I might be able to make a living at this. Eventually I had to decide, day job or welding cause I was exhausted. I chose welding, quit the day job and within a few months, the wife was prego and subsequently layed off from her nice engineering job which lit a fire under my a$$ cause I quit the "security" of a weekly check months before. I have endured some scary times.Early on I took a couple classes but quickly realized that the welding teachers were are not gifted people. The guys who i had build race car parts (suspension, roll cage, intercooler, parachute ETC) for me during my sales job income years had set the bar pretty damn high. I was not impressed with the good ole boy stick welder teachers at the community college. I kept my enrollment to have access to the shear and other equipment but those guys could not TIG or MIG like the self employed motorsports fabricators did. I still regret not finding metalwork earlier in life and being able to apprentice under someone talented.Today, I have a pretty nice shop and build some cool stuff of my own designs. I could have never planned this. I would hate to think how far off course I would be if I tried to go fulltime, in business with significant equipment investments right off the bat. I can't imagine having to make a profit from the start either. I would have failed miserably. I am thankful that this snuck up on me over time and I was able to work at this for several years just getting better. I learned alot about pricing too along the way. I tried making things based on price initially. I quickly learned that business model does not work. If your selling point is price, you will attract clients who make decisions based on price and you will Fing be miserable with ungrateful clients. Don't mistake this as luck, I am not lucky. I work very hard and have a good eye for design and engineering without formal training. I would strongly suggest not setting yourself up for failure by putting the cart before the horse as others have suggested. If you are GOOD and work hard, I have no doubt you will be successful. Just do not be in a hurry. The free market will determine if you are any good or not. As a second job, try and find an awesome metal shop (cars, motorcycles, bicycles, architectural) to work at. Then do your own thing as the third job. The parttime gig will save you years of trial and error learning fabrication on your own. I have been fulltime for about 4 years now. It was about 3 years before that when i started as a part time hobbyist.Last edited by Jimmy_pop; 01-14-2014 at 07:28 AM.
Reply:Originally Posted by achirdoStarted welding school last semester and I love it. I've gotten pretty good with the TIG and MIG welders. Gonna start stick next semester.
Reply:I agree with the others. Work your way in and keep your options open. Grab the XMT and feeder. That's a great deal. Dan
Reply:Originally Posted by Jimmy_popKeep your day job and weld on the side nights and weekends. I started in welding as a hobby with a grinder, chop saw and miller 135 mig in my garage . It was a night and weekend hobby that I did without any expectations for years. I used each customer to improve my skills and upgrade equipment. It was several years into it that i realized I might be able to make a living at this. Eventually I had to decide, day job or welding cause I was exhausted. I chose welding, quit the day job and within a few months, the wife was prego and subsequently layed off from her nice engineering job which lit a fire under my a$$ cause I quit the "security" of a weekly check months before. I have endured some scary times.Early on I took a couple classes but quickly realized that the welding teachers were are not gifted people. The guys who i had build race car parts (suspension, roll cage, intercooler, parachute ETC) for me during my sales job income years had set the bar pretty damn high. I was not impressed with the good ole boy stick welder teachers at the community college. I kept my enrollment to have access to the shear and other equipment but those guys could not TIG or MIG like the self employed motorsports fabricators did. I still regret not finding metalwork earlier in life and being able to apprentice under someone talented.Today, I have a pretty nice shop and build some cool stuff of my own designs. I could have never planned this. I would hate to think how far off course I would be if I tried to go fulltime, in business with significant equipment investments right off the bat. I can't imagine having to make a profit from the start either. I would have failed miserably. I am thankful that this snuck up on me over time and I was able to work at this for several years just getting better. I learned alot about pricing too along the way. I tried making things based on price initially. I quickly learned that business model does not work. If your selling point is price, you will attract clients who make decisions based on price and you will Fing be miserable with ungrateful clients. Don't mistake this as luck, I am not lucky. I work very hard and have a good eye for design and engineering without formal training. I would strongly suggest not setting yourself up for failure by putting the cart before the horse as others have suggested. If you are GOOD and work hard, I have no doubt you will be successful. Just do not be in a hurry. The free market will determine if you are any good or not. As a second job, try and find an awesome metal shop (cars, motorcycles, bicycles, architectural) to work at. Then do your own thing as the third job. The parttime gig will save you years of trial and error learning fabrication on your own. I have been fulltime for about 4 years now. It was about 3 years before that when i started as a part time hobbyist.
Reply:I would post your location. You may get accurate results from others nearby. Miller has the BOBCAT 225 in their current rebate program if that would be of interest. Prices vary by supplier and location. Are you gonna setup a truck or a trailer for equipment ? If you do a search, there has been postings with a enclosed trailer setup. You'll get some ideas. DO NOT quit your day job . Got a girlfriend with lots of money ? http://www.millerwelds.com/landing/build-with-blue/
Reply:Well said, Jimmy. I'd like to take a look at your work, website, etc.-AaronJet 17.5" Drill Press1942 South Bend 16x84 Lathe1980s Miller 320A / BP --- 2013 Power Mig 2562012 Jet 7x12 Horizontal BandsawVictor O/A Setup
Reply:Rabid, Im not really interested in posting up my work. Achirdo, after a while I had accumulated a Bobcat 225, 8hp Honda engine powered Quincey compressor, Hypertherm PM45 and was doing some mobile work out of the truck. I was not trying to go mobile, I just liked having the flexibility to do so. By that time, I had alittle better shop equipment and added some mobile stuff. I was living in a townhome at the time and had to keep the truck outside. My 4x4 4dr dually would not fit in any garage I could afford. I came outside one morning and the truck was gone. Looking back, I had no business buying mobile stuff since I had no ability to secure it. It would be the same thing as storing my shop welder outside every night. Never again. If I can't build it in my shop, im not interested. I still don't have a shop big enough to secure a truck and trailer indoors. But my direction has since changed and I have no interest in mobile. I share this not to steer you in one direction or the other, Mobile or shop based. I know that was not the reason of this thread. I just shared that to illustrate how things change over time. Glad to know you have a full time gig and want to seriously pursue metalwork. Welcome to WW. You are ahead of me when i was in your shoes. I had no idea about doing this as a business, I was just tinkering. There is not really anyway to buy equipment with the intention of keeping it forever. Your needs will change as your skill and business changes. You'll constantly be trading, selling or buying new stuff. Only you know all the variables that would take too much time and effort to document here. You are mentioning great equipment and you cant really go wrong staying with red or blue. You just gotta pull the trigger and get started.
Reply:You better get some theft insurance and lock your stuff up. Your stuff could easily keep some crack head high for a week, meanwhile it takes you years to recover from the loss.A day job is a lot harder to steal and a lot easier to replace.old Miller spectrum 625 Lincoln SP-135 T, CO2+0.025 wireMiller model 250 and WP-18V torchCraftsman 100amp AC/DC and WP-17V torchCentury 115-004 HF arc stabilizerHome made 4 transformer spot welderHome made alternator welder
Reply:WELDING MACHINE : MILLER LINCOLN HOBART
Reply:Originally Posted by Jimmy_popRabid, Im not really interested in posting up my work. Achirdo, after a while I had accumulated a Bobcat 225, 8hp Honda engine powered Quincey compressor, Hypertherm PM45 and was doing some mobile work out of the truck. I was not trying to go mobile, I just liked having the flexibility to do so. By that time, I had alittle better shop equipment and added some mobile stuff. I was living in a townhome at the time and had to keep the truck outside. My 4x4 4dr dually would not fit in any garage I could afford. I came outside one morning and the truck was gone. Looking back, I had no business buying mobile stuff since I had no ability to secure it. It would be the same thing as storing my shop welder outside every night. Never again. If I can't build it in my shop, im not interested. I still don't have a shop big enough to secure a truck and trailer indoors. But my direction has since changed and I have no interest in mobile. I share this not to steer you in one direction or the other, Mobile or shop based. I know that was not the reason of this thread. I just shared that to illustrate how things change over time. Glad to know you have a full time gig and want to seriously pursue metalwork. Welcome to WW. You are ahead of me when i was in your shoes. I had no idea about doing this as a business, I was just tinkering. There is not really anyway to buy equipment with the intention of keeping it forever. Your needs will change as your skill and business changes. You'll constantly be trading, selling or buying new stuff. Only you know all the variables that would take too much time and effort to document here. You are mentioning great equipment and you cant really go wrong staying with red or blue. You just gotta pull the trigger and get started.
Reply:Originally Posted by achirdo I was planning on making a trailer for it but that's going to be a hard thing to lock up. I might be able to keep it here at my day job (airport hangar) but that would require using an engine hoist to pull the ranger 250 on and off a trailer every time I wanted to use it.
Reply:Buy good used equipment save the new for when your up and going who know maybe you won't like it I've seen a few peeps go buy a whole bunch of equipment to watch it collect dust
Reply:Originally Posted by achirdoI just figured If I was going to start welding I want to get the right equipment the first time and not have to lose money by needing to upgrade multiple times.
Reply:Originally Posted by BCRDThe used XMT and feeder are a great starting point. You'll have industrial quality stick, mig, and DC tig. If you want to go mobile on a budget, buy a generator to run the XMT. The "dirty" generator power will not hurt an XMT (due to the auto line circuitry which is able to handle 200 to 500 volts), like it would other sensitive electronics, including some other welders. A 6500 watt generator can be had for cheap, and should run 1/8 7018 no problem. Now you won't go pipelining wtih this setup, or air arcing and repairing heavy equipment, but you will be able to run around and repair stair rails, stainless restaurant equipment, etc. Then when you need more equipment, you'll be able to afford it cash in hand. Avoid financing. It'll sink you sooner or later.I forgot to mention you could look for a used 30A spoolgun for mig aluminum from the XMT, and / or the Thermal Arc 186 ($1700 or so new) for AC/DC tig to 200 amps.I'm just answering the equipment question here. We all know that a business is far more complex than just the equipment. Liability, licenses, skills, certifications... but you didn't ask that here.IMHOJason
Reply:If I were you I would just focus on tig,their is a large demand for tig welders who can do pipe and exotic materials such as inconel,chrom-moly,all grades of stainless,etc.Lincoln pro core 125 14''chop saw7 inch grinder,2-4.5 inch grinders,electric die grinder.Half inch drillAnd alot of hand tools
Reply:If someone called from an hour away and said "I have some metal work for you to do and I won't tell you what" ?What would you take ?Bubble gumTooth pixDuct tapeBlack glueGBMF hammerScrew gun --bad battery (see above)
Reply:Originally Posted by BurpeeIf someone called from an hour away and said "I have some metal work for you to do and I won't tell you what" ?What would you take ?
Reply:Another thing their is a MAJOR difference between pipeliners and general purpose rig welders. Pipeliners usually have a machine like an SA-200 or Miller PipePro and all they do is weld pipe all day long and usually only do that till they retire or quit because it gets boring out thier . Pipeliners also chase jobs, they follow the work so say if you in North Dakota and your job finishes then you have to find another pipeline to keep the money coming and sometimes those pipe lines could be 5 states away who knows but all i know is its a rough life a lot of those pipe guys are divorced because they spend so much time on the road. Rig welders which is what it sounds like you want to be may do some pipe but pretty much have to do a little bit of it all for example monday you might be fixing a fence and then Tuesday rolls around and your fixing heavy equipment or something like that got my point? I understand your desire to be a mobile welder with the truck its a nice status symbol and all of my welding class wants a truck thats why this is so easy to tell someone else the downsides to welding trucks but if I were you i'd start as a helper and get a small taste of the life then I would make a welder with a truck my friend and listen to his gripes and complaints and then ask yourself is this what I want? Do you want to be on the road chasing jobs? do you want to be worrying about some crackheads stealing your leads or tools? I respect the rig welders a lot its rough because they work in all conditions whether it be -40 out or 110 outside. Good luck to you in your choices in life!Lincoln pro core 125 14''chop saw7 inch grinder,2-4.5 inch grinders,electric die grinder.Half inch drillAnd alot of hand tools
Reply:Originally Posted by achirdosome sort of generator and What ever Im using for TIG at the time. Probably grab some 309 stainless rods. And some stick leads in case its outside with some 6010 and 7018. Hopefully soon I'll be able to purchase something that will allow for TIG aluminum
Reply:Originally Posted by Firemanmike69I'm not trying to discourage you or sound preachy but I think if your going to do mobile work you may run into some prejudice against running a machine off a generator. You may not but I know I have customers who would run me off a job if I showed up with that setup. Also I'm not sure how well that would fair in the rain or snow or when you have to work further away from your truck. Maybe for the time being stick to the work In the shop untill you can get set up for doing work on the road. Good luck buddy keep us posted on what you do
Reply:Originally Posted by achirdoWhy do you say that? Just trying to get Information?By generator I mean some kind of engine driven welder (ranger 225 or 250) and either running TIG off of that or off an XMT depending on which one I end up liking better to weld with
Reply:Originally Posted by Firemanmike69I was referring to your first post where you were considering using a northern tool generator to run your machine. I would totally agree with running the ranger 250, it has AC/DC, the ability to run a foot pedal and CC/CV to run a wire feeder if you end up with one. I know you mentioned the tig module to go with the welder and having never welded off that one I can't comment on it. It would seem that running the XMT off the ranger would be largely redundant the only advantage being a few more amps out of the XMT but you will run up against it pulling more amps than the generator can supply at the top end. If it were me I'd set the XMT and wire feeder up to have for the shop and the ranger with either the tig module or a dedicated tig welder for the field if you find yourself doing lots of mobile tig work. Again I'm not trying to be an @ss I just want to help
Reply:Originally Posted by achirdoOh yeah I completely understand. I'd like to hear every one opinions so I can get the most information, good or bad. Are there any know problems with the ranger 250 gtx or the xmt 304? Also could i use the wire feeder from the xmt on the ranger?Sent from my GT-N5110 using TapatalkOriginally Posted by Firemanmike69I don't see why you couldn't use the feeder off the XMT off the feeder off the ranger it would be cumbersome but I think it would work.
Reply:Why does everyone call it welding? It seems they should call it meeting with potential customers, designing, pricing, being underbid by someone too new in the business to know they are bidding the job at a loss, or such a hack they plan to do a substandard job, being disappointed, I just wasted 4 hours bidding a job to a potential customer who thanks me for my trouble by not having the courtesy to e mail me to say their brother in law's cousin's best friend who works for $6.00 an hour had the job before he called me, (He called me only to know how much he was saving using this person), repeating the process on three more bids, then, after winning a bid, gophering, cutting, grinding, advertizing, fitting, welding, prepping, painting, billing, waiting to be paid. I don't make a big share of my living as a welder, but an electrician, yet I think I have a good sense of 90% of any form of self employment. Unlike a fulll time job where you go to work, do your job, go home, at the end of the week get paid, self employment is full of tasks you don't get paid for.Self employment has its rewards, but it also brings frustrations. For me heaven was the days when my father did the support work, I did electrical work. That was 17 years ago, I still miss those days!
Reply:Here's a u tube on MILLER / Lincoln engine drives.
Reply:If u want to run a rig u better get a lincoln . If u do refineries pipelines or any pipe work the inspecters are the ones making the decisions about ur financial future. pipe welding is where the cash is at. look at. a sa 200 or at the lincoln classic 300d. learn to weld before you jump. Its pretty competetive when ur talkin bout a job that pays $200,000 a year or better. |
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发表于 2021-8-31 23:21:34