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Re: Welder/generator vs generator+ welder
Originally Posted by
Teachu2
Will you be able to compete for work? .
Probably yes……for all the bottom of the barrel customers and jobs. Never getting ahead, hating your life and wondering why.
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Re: Welder/generator vs generator+ welder
If money is a problem, that requires advice on getting a job. The question was "Is there any good reasons to not get just a generator and run my welders off of that?" Here's three:
1) It's more expensive to generate your own electricity rather than buy it from the grid, so if you don't need to be mobile, it's a waste.
2) It will set you up to be the low-price leader of your market.
3) It will make it harder to make profit.
4) if you decide to do something else for a living, resale on it will stink. I could sell my Bobcat today for more than I paid for it new.
1,,,. it sure is,,, while not on the genset he can use land line. 2. He is already the low price leader with no experience and no equyipment, saddling himself with a hi dollar machine to pay for isnt going to help. 3. How would adding expense to do the same work make it harder to make a profit? 4. This is a gem,,, if he pays 2x more for something he will get more for it resale. Hello Cptn obvious. But I have a salesman tell me a while back that I should pay 10 more for a tractor today so in 10 years at trade time it will be worth 5 more then. Actually seems a true accountant would read that as a no brainer,,, give 10 today for 5 10 years from now.
Buy a cheap new machine he can use and toss it down the road,,,,,, wayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy cheaper.
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Re: Welder/generator vs generator+ welder
Probably yes……for all the bottom of the barrel customers and jobs. Never getting ahead, hating your life and wondering why.
A li9ttle perspective,,, when you were farming did you just throw cash at it and hope it stuck,,,, probably not, now can play without any concern for return,,,, great for you but this is a guy starting out,,, if I had that pocket full would drop this crap like a hot rock. I would be looking at the welds on a friggin cruise ship, pocket full of viagra, every kind of tv they got, new restaurant on most nights.
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Re: Welder/generator vs generator+ welder
Personally would have some respect for a sprout starting out economical if he was prepared and organized a bit over a kid with brand new shat he got no clue how to use and look like he sweating from debt.
I see it in auto work,,, kid shows up first day with huge new snappy box, either no tools or big payment book,,,, second kid show up with used Cman box with a few tools look like they been used and taken care of and selected with a bit of care who you think gonna work out? Who gonna have to sale the tools first cause he got the bank riding with him and cant make a buck.
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Re: Welder/generator vs generator+ welder
The problem is how many jobs can find to pay for equipment.
On paper 📃 that looks great.
But the reality is in beginning you could have dry spells between jobs and still have make the payment and keeping payment low can be very important.
Dave
Originally Posted by
Teachu2
If money is a problem, that requires advice on getting a job. The question was "Is there any good reasons to not get just a generator and run my welders off of that?" Here's three:
1) It's more expensive to generate your own electricity rather than buy it from the grid, so if you don't need to be mobile, it's a waste.
2) It will set you up to be the low-price leader of your market.
3) It will make it harder to make profit.
4) if you decide to do something else for a living, resale on it will stink. I could sell my Bobcat today for more than I paid for it new.
Will it work? Probably. Will you be able to compete for work? Probably not.
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Re: Welder/generator vs generator+ welder
Originally Posted by
Sberry
A li9ttle perspective,,, when you were farming did you just throw cash at it and hope it stuck,,,,.
Nope Think what you want
No one here is saying he has to throw big bucks at the problem. Presenting yourself in a professional manner and listening to sound advice is a good start
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Re: Welder/generator vs generator+ welder
Companies I saw throwing cash around would go bankruptcy.
Dave
Originally Posted by
Lis2323
Nope Think what you want
No one here is saying he has to throw big bucks at the problem. Presenting yourself in a professional manner and listening to sound advice is a good start
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Re: Welder/generator vs generator+ welder
Have put my champion generator and my Hobart MVP 210 in the bucket of the tractor and used it to repair a swing gate. Ran the welder on the 120 plug.
Retired Old Guy
Hobart 210
Lincoln AC/DC 225/125
Evolution 14” Saw
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Re: Welder/generator vs generator+ welder
How big is the champ? Does it have 240?
Presenting yourself in a professional manner and listening to sound advice is a good start
Sure it is but trying to look something you aint isnt good either. Next question will be if a 100$ grinder is worth it. While there is a time and place for it there is now one cost 30 made in near same factory, generic works good. If it works good for me it will probably work good for an entry level guy too. There is no downside, probably get what he paid for it at a yard sale and simply not out much lot, stolen, broken etc. Never had one last less than a couple years used daily. Might be other better ones, even oines I l;ike a little better but the convenience and durability are so good all the fuss over something better simply isnt worth it.
I remember doing a couple simple calls with my old truck, guy looked at me funny like, even at that tim,e AAI was behind the curve not having a lunchbox in a pickup vs my professional service truck.
Last edited by Sberry; 05-20-2022 at 12:37 PM.
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Re: Welder/generator vs generator+ welder
I went down that road when my hobby became a business. I started out building my own gates, then built some for friends and family, then word of mouth from there. As the jobs grew, I went from the generator+Handler135 to renting a small welder/generator on a daily basis for installs to buying the Bobcat (and paying cash with earnings from the business). My business grew by demand, from a hobby to a business.
I absolutely agree with avoiding debt like the plague. Intern, apprentice, or be a go-fer in the industries that interest you. Take evening classes at the local Community College. Do every task to the best of your abilities, learn from the old pros, and gain experience, knowledge, and money. Then make informed decisions. Working in the industry may well present opportunities to acquire good used equipment at far lower cost, as well. OTOH, interacting with older weldors may tarnish the romantic shine of being your own boss, transforming steel into useful creations. I know quite a few old pros who have trouble with what's left of their backs, knees, and shoulders after decades in the field.
Miller 250P, MM210, Bobcat 250
Lincoln 225AC/DC, Pro-Mig 175
Lotos Cut 50
PrimeWeld TIG225X
Titanium Easy Flux 125
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Re: Welder/generator vs generator+ welder
If I really thought I needed portable would really consider that new HF type thing, fuel is 6 a gallon, that thing would pay for itself in a few days. This doesnt sounjd like a start up, following my uncle in to heavy repair to start. I actually would be genset today but the wiring and hookups not be a problem either.
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Re: Welder/generator vs generator+ welder
That DC thing would be perfect for a kid had a shop machine and needed to do simple service install. Doesnt have 120? But now days cordless grinder and drills so that little machine has plenty of poop.
Last edited by Sberry; 05-20-2022 at 12:44 PM.
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Re: Welder/generator vs generator+ welder
Originally Posted by
Teachu2
I went down that road when my hobby became a business. I started out building my own gates, then built some for friends and family, then word of mouth from there. As the jobs grew, I went from the generator+Handler135 to renting a small welder/generator on a daily basis for installs to buying the Bobcat (and paying cash with earnings from the business). My business grew by demand, from a hobby to a business.
I absolutely agree with avoiding debt like the plague. Intern, apprentice, or be a go-fer in the industries that interest you. Take evening classes at the local Community College. Do every task to the best of your abilities, learn from the old pros, and gain experience, knowledge, and money. Then make informed decisions. Working in the industry may well present opportunities to acquire good used equipment at far lower cost, as well. OTOH, interacting with older weldors may tarnish the romantic shine of being your own boss, transforming steel into useful creations. I know quite a few old pros who have trouble with what's left of their backs, knees, and shoulders after decades in the field.
That is solid and worth repeating.
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Re: Welder/generator vs generator+ welder
If I was really going to hit the portable world today would find a niche and probably do it with small equipment in an Econoline van. I can do most of the works stick but if I went to all the trouble would add a solid wire machine of some sorts. Simple ease and finish where that was a real factor. So much light metal in the world today.
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Re: Welder/generator vs generator+ welder
Originally Posted by
Sberry
How big is the champ? Does it have 240? .
Got it on sale at SamsCIub for $299. It has 240 haven’t tried that plug, or used the generator in while, it did start easy on propane. Worked great My son has it at his place at the moment running a water pump a couple of times a week. It ran the 210 on 120, and a grinder fine. Just welded a hinge back on and a new latch that was a few months back. They both fit nice in the bucket on the tractor.
https://www.samsclub.com/p/4375w-dua...plp_product_11
Last edited by NotaVegetarian; 05-20-2022 at 01:59 PM.
Retired Old Guy
Hobart 210
Lincoln AC/DC 225/125
Evolution 14” Saw
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Re: Welder/generator vs generator+ welder
Looks great
You buy a Fluxcore welder for under $200.
For $500.00 you can be up and running a portable welding.
I see on the home improvement shows using this combo 👌
Dave
Originally Posted by
NotaVegetarian
Got it on sale at SamsCIub for $299. It has 240 haven’t tried that plug, or used the generator in while, it did start easy on propane. Worked great My son has it at his place at the moment. It ran the 210 on 120, and a grinder fine. Just welded a hinge back on and a new latch that was a few months back. They both fit nice in the bucket on the tractor.
https://www.samsclub.com/p/4375w-dua...plp_product_11
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Re: Welder/generator vs generator+ welder
There ya go,,, they do it on home improvement shows. But I can see how too cheap could look tacky here too. A huge factor with all this is how well a guy can run it too. He does a beautiful job they will forget about the cheap equipment, shows up with junk and makes a mess then,,, well,,,, keeps the perception alive that a guy should need hi dollar stuff I guess. Certainly no good if it doesnt work well no matter how cheap. Difference between economical and cheap.
Last edited by Sberry; 05-20-2022 at 04:01 PM.
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Re: Welder/generator vs generator+ welder
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Re: Welder/generator vs generator+ welder
It may only run mig and fluxcore.
Dave
Originally Posted by
Sberry
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Re: Welder/generator vs generator+ welder
IMO knowing your stuff, and how to communicate it to customers is the biggest factor in leaving an impression of competence.
You are always a salesman, selling yourself first, and your services second.
If fixing something, Tell them what went wrong, why, and exactly how you will fix it and why you will do it in the way you do in a common sense way.
If they want you to make something, make sure you ask important questions and can articulate any problems you may see coming up.
Don't throw around unnecessary lingo unless they are in the industry as well. Be sure to listen to WHY they wanted things a certain way in the first place if you find a problem or offer a work around.
As for equipment my opinion is as long as it's not junky/ratty looking (it's not hard to give it a quick rattle can and body hammer face lift if it's old and beat up, doesn't have to look perfect, just not like junk), and more importantly it works perfectly every time/all the time/all day people will not care.
If they mention your equipment brands let them know firstly that you only use good equipment that can get the job done right - regardless of cost or brand. A correctly designed and laid weld doesn't care what brand of machine put it down or ground the bevel before.
One other thing, manufacturers caught on and even low tier welders and generators look "nice" these days.
Don't be afraid to save money on things like grinders/squares/hand tools/other power tools - it's all going to look like crap whatever color you start out with in a few jobs. As long as they work and are square and true, no one cares except your wallet.
Grinders- If you buy multiple cheaper brands to keep different wheels on IMO you come out ahead in return on investment over buying one expensive dewalt.
Buy your wrenches, impacts, and hammers at harbor freight. Painless same day exchange, work great as long as they were made right (be sure to check what you can before you leave the store, look over those wrenches but good), and most importantly pretty painless when they do get lost/stolen (they will). They also make good pliers and screwdrivers in their "premium" brands. Play the coupon game, be shameless and buy one thing at a time if you have to in order to keep using the coupon, they are always very cool about it at all the HFs i've been to. Join the inside track club, 20%+ off say a generator, all hand tools, grinders, portaband, etc. is no joke, and possible if you play the game right.
Once you have your customer base they know you don't eff around and do things right, they don't care if you show up with car batteries If it gets done right and in a timely manner.
Last edited by SlowBlues; 05-20-2022 at 04:50 PM.
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Re: Welder/generator vs generator+ welder
Well I would say buy the generator run your shop machines in the field and then when the job is to big go rent a engine drive But we all know the settings on engine drives aren’t the same as shop machines so he won’t understand how it works and wit no one around to help him he will have to learn the hard way
If I was him I would find a job working for some one learn a little save up and shop around see what is out there Thhen and only then buy what HE is comfortable with so he doesn’t have some failures that cost him a bunch of money and a poor reputation I don’t think anybody on this sight got out of high school grabbed some leads and went to work without some kind of coaching and mentoring
Go buy a generator and prove everybody wrong
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