Mobile Welding Side Business

[jablome483]

Hey guys, I am thinking of starting a side business doing mobile welding to make some money while I'm in college. I have a lincoln mig/flux core that runs on 110 so I wouldnt be doing anything too serious, just fixing other peoples junk. I plan on picking up a used generator so I am completely mobile. Anybody else do this that has any advice, or a picture of their setup?

 

[Sasquatch_Ryda]

Are you a certified welder?

There is a lot of liability with doing welding for people....

 

[Rowdy Fitzgerald]

A contractor busy of mine and I were just talking about this the other day. He says you don't have to be a "certified welder". You get certified to do a certain weld for example a butt weld on a roof I-beam truss. It's just about impossible to be certified in every weld a person will make while repairing or building something. Not to mention some metals must be heated then cooled at a certain rate to be a "certified" weld. You will have to get a business license stating you'll be welding which you'll have to go do welding tests at a certified facility to get a license. Unless you're a general contractor which blankets you as a welder and you shouldn't have to get a welding business license.
Or you can go out, do welding jobs then pay your ticket if you get busted.

 

[jablome483]

No, im not certified, but most of the craigslist ads ive seen for mobile welders state that they are unlicensed.

 

[straycat]

If you are not certified then how do you get a state license to do the work? All my buddies who are welders (mobile as well) have a license and they also are certified and insured for their busniness.

 

[jablome483]

It was just an under the table sort of idea, kinda like most people who mow lawns as a side job. But I guess welding doesn't work that way.

 

[RDR]

you would be better investing in a DC welder, i dont know if a generater will handle the welder, i have a flux core as well, but have never tryed running off a generator before.

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

As far as using generator power, I've welded with my Lincoln weldpac100 from a 5500 watt generator. I've heard the new inverter type welders are hit and miss on generators; some work, others don't - when taking power off the same generator.

I've had similar thoughts on doing mobile welding but my lack of knowledge holds me back. I can make things stick together and look good but the liability issues worry me. Welding fenceposts would work and building "offroad use only"bumpers maybe.

Richard