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Please help me in my attempts to persuade SWMBO that a good welder will eventually pay for itself. Not just in the "if I would of had to pay somebody else" sense but in the "I'll do that for $XXX.00" sense. Since I'm buying a 150 DC TIG I don't have a whole lot of ideas...
Reply:Your only hope is to buy something of equal value to placate her...otherwise you might be seeing a iron skillet swinging your way(happens to me lol)
Reply:ok, now that I'm home I'll elaborate on my question.  Posted the original from my phone in the theater...When I first started my welding obsession I was looking at the MIG's because 1) didn't know anything about welding and 2) the TIG price tags scared me away.  I was drooling over the new passport and telling my wife that "people are ALWAYS looking for something to be welded..."  We had some friends who had a large charcoal smoker that broke so they basically chucked it and bought a new one because what they were going to have to pay in order to have it welded made buying a new, more fancy one that much more appealing.  I theoretically could have done the weld for them for half of the quoted price.  They would have been happy and saved a considerable amount of cash and I could have taken that amount off of my marital deficit.  Now, I have no idea how much consumables cost and the dollar cost averaging that goes into profit margins for welding but the beauty of it is, neither does my wife...Now that I've been doing much more research I've settled on a TIG machine, likely a Maxstar 150 STH and suddenly I'm at a loss for realistic examples of how "I'll make the money back in no time..."  I don't have too many friends that just come up and ask me if I know a good TIG guy for their exhaust pipes, dairy farm, or winery...  How often does somebody casually bring up the dastardly prices of welding repairs to their home petroleum/chemical operation??  While I could still technically fix that smoker with any TIG rig, I fear the time requirement would out weigh the good ol'boy price hook up.  Of course I'm guessing here which is where I'm looking for help.  I was thinking that once you get good enough you could likely make a little bit of money making grill guards or luggage racks, maybe some trailers or pickup tool boxes and of course simply repairing odds and ends.  But everything except the minor repairs requires a bit more than a minor investment up front in materials.  This isn't going to bode well in my sales pitch to my wife. Is it just my ignorance or is there a whole lot more out there for the uncertified, hobby MIG welder to make a quick buck?  Is TIG used in autobody and minor, household fabrication like MIG at all?  I know I could stick as well, but again I don't know enough about the process to understand the limitations to use that as bargaining fodder.  This of course does not sway me in my decision for TIG.  I'm sure the Dynasty would open the doors a bit more due to the AC aluminum possibilities.  I guess if you guys can give me a strong enough argument I'll have to go ahead and get a dynasty 200 dx instead of settling on the maxstar 150.  That will break my heart.
Reply:TIG is mainly used on on thinner materials and mostly on precious metals.  I dont know much about TIG ethier but I have always thought its best application was for aluminum.  You prolly wont make your money back quick no matter what machine you buy.  But over time you will get some it back.  Once friends and neighbors find out you can weld decent.  If you arent going to get an AC Tig machine I wouldnt get one at all.  If you could get to were you can weld aluminum you could make your money back fast because there is less people out there that can do that.  Most dont even know the average Joe could weld it.
Reply:Originally Posted by 99trxrider I dont know much about TIG ethier but I have always thought its best application was for aluminum.
Reply:Originally Posted by ShaunPlease help me in my attempts to persuade SWMBO that a good welder will eventually pay for itself.
Reply:Hobbies are almost always money-losing propositions.  Shy of going into business full-time, and doing so successfully, you're not going to recover the costs of your equipment.  If money is an issue, you'd probably be better off renting equipment when you need it.  Or re-configuring the argument so that any kind of break-even notion isn't part of the discussion.
Reply:If I buy a new welder I just suggest Judy buy another new sewing machine or quilting rack or . . .MM200 w/Spoolmatic 1Syncrowave 180SDBobcat 225G Plus - LP/NGMUTT Suitcase WirefeederWC-1S/Spoolmatic 1HF-251D-1PakMaster 100XL '68 Red Face Code #6633 projectStar Jet 21-110Save Second Base!
Reply:Originally Posted by Jack OlsenHobbies are almost always money-losing propositions. Or re-configuring the argument so that any kind of break-even notion isn't part of the discussion.
Reply:If you want your welder to pay you back fast, get a small mig machine. You will find people needing stuff welded on their trailers or lawnmowers etc. If you feel like building a trailer, a mig is the faster way to go as well. The only benefit of a tig machine to someone starting out is that it will also do stick and you can learn both processes. Mig will certainly cover more ground in the "get your money back" department. Personally, I own both and have built dozens of utility trailers as well as aluminum jet boats and unless you have a bunch of friends with jet boats needing custom add ons, then get a mig. Maybe find a cheap stick machine to compliment your small mig machine. Soon, a tig will be a worth while investment once you develop a need for it.Have fun. Attached Images
Reply:Is my wife a member here?All good points, and a smart man would take heed.  However...My primary reason for getting the TIG is for sanitary welds on brewing equipment.  Everything beyond that is just for fun.  I'm going to get either the maxstar 150 or the dynasty 200.  I've already told my wife it's the 200.  I don't know if I'll ever weld aluminum but I HATE those rare occasions when you need one thing and just don't have it.  That's been the story of my life and I'm sick and tired of substituting or settling for something less than what I want for practicality reasons.  While I really want the dynasty, I will admit the $4K is a bit daunting which is why I'm leaning towards the 150.  My wife is pretty understanding, but I've been doing a bit of collecting for other obsessions in the past year and I've wore out my understanding equity.  Bought a new 1911 3 months ago.  Had to have a new concealment holster of course.  Before that I got a new freezer for brew purposes as well as a conical fermenter.  So between those 4 purchases I've spent well over $2K.  The problem is there just isn't a single hobby for a man that does not cost an arm and a leg.  I told her sex was the only free entertainment in this world.  There wasn't really any positive response for that one and the forecast isn't looking all that bright...Thanks for the feedback and if you do come up with some good ideas let me know.  It's not a requirement but it may help speed my timeline up a bit.
Reply:I bet if you sat and thought about it for a while, you would realize that the sex is not free either.
Reply:Originally Posted by GiddyWelderYour only hope is to buy something of equal value to placate her...otherwise you might be seeing a iron skillet swinging your way(happens to me lol)
Reply:Originally Posted by WHughesI bet if you sat and thought about it for a while, you would realize that the sex is not free either.
Reply:Hello Shaun, as many of the others have eluded to and you yourself have added, the AC/DC machine would certainly be the way to go if you can swing it at all. As to the argument to justify it, LIE if you need to. It's "easier to ask for forgiveness than it is to receive permission", at least that's what some wise individual believed when the phrase was coined. The Dynasty is a great machine with ample capabilities and potential. I have access to a number of different types of machines that are of the more conventional transformer/rectifier type, some of the newer square wave designs, full-on inverters with variable AC hertz control, and have operated the Dynasty as well. The inverters are cadillacs when it comes to versatility and performance.      Now back to your justification: there is always the good ole artistic angle. Tons of different items can be cut-out, welded, heat tinted, colored, and made into some pretty unique designs that a lot of folks will pay far too much for depending upon your perspective. If you reside anywhere near the ocean, lakes, streams, water in general there are numerous gidgets and gadgets that you could fabricate to make a buck or two. Much of this type of thing will be fabricated from aluminum or stainless steel. Pole holders, clam guns, dock tie-offs, aluminum boat railings, there are a number of different items that might be specific to your area where you could use your Tig capabilities to get work. You can also possibly get the word out that you will be willing to repair stainless kitchen fixtures and tools, restaurants are constantly needing small items repaired and shops usually have minimums on what they charge to do this work. So, there's a bit more for you to contemplate. Hope you end up with the Dynasty, I'm sure you'll love it. Best regards, Allanaevald
Reply:Originally Posted by Magnetic Mechanic- or go Duane's way an buy a junker and do a refurb.