| Setting up a welding shop isn’t as easy as it | | | | Your welding equipment should match the kind of |
| seems. People who want to enter in this business | | | | welding you intend to do. Not all welding equipment |
| should possess technical expertise in many welding | | | | are created the same. The type of welder you need |
| practices, know the basics of running a | | | | depends on the kind of welding projects you intend |
| service-oriented enterpise, and, most importantly, | | | | to do. TIG welding, for instance, provides |
| understand the importance of following safety | | | | splatter-free and welding welding of sheet metals like |
| procedures. A good welding shop not only protects | | | | aluminum. Electric arc welding is very handy for |
| its welders and employees, but it also looks after its | | | | repairing a number of metals. MIG, on the other hand, |
| customers by not exposing them to possible hazards | | | | is usually used in joining metals with a rougher weld. |
| caused by welding sparks. | | | | Take note that welding machine may come with |
| Here are a few tips on setting up a good welding | | | | different functions and utilities, so selecting one is a |
| business: | | | | matter of understanding your intended client base |
| Build a good welding space. Choosing a good space is | | | | and your skills as a welder. |
| very important for a successful welding business. | | | | Safety equipment is also important in welding. Follow |
| Welding is a serious activity and your surroundings | | | | all the safety measures to protect your workers and |
| should be controlled as much as possible. A good | | | | clients. Stock your shop with an ample supply of |
| welding shop should be spacious enough that it can | | | | welding safety gears such as helmets, leather gloves, |
| store a number of pieces of small and bulky | | | | welding sleeves, boots and aprons. An emergency |
| equipment that are necessary for welding. Besides a | | | | medical equipment is also essential in case of |
| working space, you’ll also need a specific area | | | | accidents. Keep one or two fire extinguishers on |
| for storing materials such as steel and aluminum, as | | | | hand too. The welding area must always be equipped |
| well as welding tables, drill press and saws, and other | | | | with a fire blanket and a well-stocked first aid kit. |
| tools. | | | | Do some marketing and advertising. A good welding |
| Buy the necessary welding tools and accessories. | | | | business must be able to keep the cash flow coming |
| After choosing and setting up a working space, you | | | | in. You should strive to track of old clients and try to |
| will need to purchase all the necessary power tools | | | | gain the trust of new ones through referrals and |
| and welding accessories. Welding tools such as angle | | | | advertising. Distributing posters and flyers is always a |
| grinders, metal benders and band saws will come in | | | | good idea. You can also post advertisements online. |
| handy in most welding projects. Other important | | | | However, the best form of advertising is still through |
| tools include magnetic clamp, C-clamp, drill press, | | | | referrals. If you have customers that are satisfied |
| corner clamp, cold chisel and hacksaw. This is not a | | | | with your work, ask them to refer you to other |
| complete list of metal working tools but is basically a | | | | prospective clients. |
| good place to begin with. | | | | |