Small Home Shop Question

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For those of you with a small home welding/fab shop, I have a question. I'm setting up my garage to do the same thing, even if only for myself to do small projects, but I was wondering if you make a fair amount of $$ on the side with your setup. I have plenty of welding experience in TIG,MIG, and stick so that's not an issue. I will be adding equipment as I go. Right now I'm in the cleanup/planning phase, and then I will have a 50 amp panel added with 230v and 115v outlets. I recently bought a dynasty 200dx(great machine ) that i will use both at the track and in the garage/shop. I plan on adding a mig machine(either a 180 or DVI), air comp., band saw, and other peripherals as I go. I already have a belt sander and a bench grinder. Any other suggestions, comments, experiences?
Reply:For those of you with a small home welding/fab shop, I have a question. I'm setting up my garage to do the same thing, even if only for myself to do small projects, but I was wondering if you make a fair amount of $$ on the side with your setup.
Reply:Welcome!  I addressed the DVI in your thread in the Miller (or Hobart, I don't remember which) board.You also have a hand-held grinder, right?I'd also recommend a name-brand automatic hood.  They will really up the productivity, especially on MIG fabrication.
Reply:But if you were to fill in 2 holes the same size on something that don't amount to a ****hole in the snow..How can you charge 50$ for that??
Reply:Thanks for the replies. A grinder is one of the other peripherals I'll be getting. I'm not too worried about the small things, because they can be had for relatively few $ versus the bigger items with a quick trip to a variety of suppliers around here. Although i may get an auto hood in the future, it definately not a must for me. I've been at it for 25 years with a flip and have done just fine. I can see it's usefulness in tight spots, but for everything else it seems like just another overpriced gadget to me. I'm not set on either MIG machine really, actually kind of torn on which direction to go. I like the portability of the passport, but not the 150A rating. By the way, do you know if that bottle that comes with it is the 10 oz one? If so, I already have 3 other CO2's in my trailer the same size. But the 180A range machines are good for a little more flexibility.
Reply:The Passport is a 180A machine, just like a HH187 or a MM180 or a DVI.It comes with a 12-oz. bottle.  I don't know if the 10-oz. would work.  If they have the same fitting, I don't see why not.  I bought a set of 5 12-oz. bottles and can weld almost all day and refill at home.I felt the same way about auto hoods.  I was raised flipping it.  But that is certainly your call.Eventually, you'll want 4 or 5 grinders, so you don't have to swap wheels all the time, too.
Reply:Auto darkening hood?  You musta not used one yet.Your work is worth just as much as the pro shops get.  You can cut their price a little, but after that you are just cutting  your own throat.  Been there done that.  The friends and family circle.  Its a real problem.  Do NOTHING for free.    If you do a few jobs for free, they will be sure to come back to you for more work at the same price.  Its much easier to "break them in" on the first time than later.  I own a garage and my firends and family circle is waaay too big.  I am cutting down slowly, but its a real hard thing to do.What do you do when there is a good paying job sitting there and a family member walks in with a whizz bang job for you that they need right away?  Buddy?I could get full rate when I was doing welding part time and working full time.  Now I am self employed and can do which ever I want.  I go for the paying jobs.  The rest can wait.DavidReal world weldin.  When I grow up I want to be a tig weldor.
Reply:Mac, sorry, I was looking at the rated output, not the range. Anyway, I do like the Passport for its flexibility. What do those little bottles cost? David, its not that I'm against the auto hoods, I have used one briefly. Miller actually make a commemorative UA hood(i'm a member) that I like. But I can find alot better things to buy with $260 right now, like the grinders,etc. Besides, I've never gotten flashed because my neck stopped working like batteries might . As far as favors go, I do have a friend or two that do ALOT for me(including the one who will help me get the service to my garage), so I will asses that as I go, but I know what you mean.Slag, I just got cards made (FastLane Welding Services), and buying what I need as I get going is exactly what i was planning on.Keep it coming.
Reply:Originally Posted by 190MPH...I do like the Passport for its flexibility. What do those little bottles cost? ...
Reply:No I never do work for others these dazes. I don't care how much money they may have.I also don't lend anything. Borrow is a nasty word. Buy your own.I don't let other peeps in my shed or shop. No, you can not use my equipment or tools. Get your own supplies.------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------I might treat it a bit like the construction biz.A. You never have enough insurance.B. Know what jobs not to take. Not everything is a good job.C. Think like a lawyer first and a welder second. Pride in your work is one thing, survival is key, understand your risks at all times.D. Know what not to do.E. Not all customers are the same, know who your preferred customers are.F. Safety first, never get yourself or anybody else injuried, hurt or in trouble. You will find out about insurance companies the hard way. Always consider every job from the angle what happens if this thing breaks or fails or defective in some way, can somebody have a bad day? In some states if somebody should happen to get killed as the result of your work failing, you might even be held responsible for man slaughter type charges.G. Understand who you are working for. Banks, insurance companies, hired help, all the suppliers, tax man and everybody else makes money. Working under the table is nice until you get caught. Understand what is required to be in any business in a legal sense. What are the ramifications of being for hire.The rest of it will come in terms of equipment, etc. Just never get into a position that can not be defended from a legal or biz viewpoint. Some locations it may be illegal to operate from your house, your homeowners insurance might be affected, etc. World is complicated, too many paper pushers, too many rules. You never have enough insurance or maybe the right kind or coverage. It is not just welding, dog grooming requires the Government to bless you in many parts of the country. Know all of the ramifications for your situation.I wish it was no so. The construction biz is far worse. Got to watch your back.
Reply:Nice of y'all to offer help, but you're about 1600 days late and a dollar short.
Reply:Originally Posted by David RAuto darkening hood?  You musta not used one yet.Your work is worth just as much as the pro shops get.  You can cut their price a little, but after that you are just cutting  your own throat.  Been there done that.  The friends and family circle.  Its a real problem.  Do NOTHING for free.    If you do a few jobs for free, they will be sure to come back to you for more work at the same price.  Its much easier to "break them in" on the first time than later.  I own a garage and my firends and family circle is waaay too big.  I am cutting down slowly, but its a real hard thing to do.What do you do when there is a good paying job sitting there and a family member walks in with a whizz bang job for you that they need right away?  Buddy?I could get full rate when I was doing welding part time and working full time.  Now I am self employed and can do which ever I want.  I go for the paying jobs.  The rest can wait.David
Reply:Originally Posted by tbone550Nice of y'all to offer help, but you're about 1600 days late and a dollar short.