3 in 1 welder for small business

[Leeds88]

Hi,

I am 26 years old and have worked for many different structural steel and architectural fabrication companies since leaving school at 16. I have now decided I want to set up my own welding and fabrication business, doing anything relating to metal work really. I would like some advice on what welder/welders to buy.

My Workshop is only 370sqft and has 13a 240v, 32a 240v and 16a 110v sockets so I can't have anything 3 phase. I will be doing anything from gates, stainless frames, car repairs, digger bucket repairs, aluminium frames and some site work for pipe fitters and steel erectors.

I have been thinking of the thermal arc 252i as its capable of 300amps, which would mean I shouldn't need to replace the welder anytime soon or if some decent size stuff does walk through the door I can do it.
I could possibly be going out on site doing pipe work and snagging and welding for steel erecting firms, so was looking at the 211i because you can switch it to a 110v socket.

My other idea would be to get a much more capable TIG inverter like the thermal arc 201ts which I could use in the workshop and take on site, then get a basic mig welder for the shop like a R Tech pro mig 250

I have only mentioned thermal arc and R tech due to good reviews and they are affordable to me, any other welders you may have in mind will be much appreciated

Any thoughts or ideas on any of the above welders or any other welders which you think would suit me will be much appreciated

Thanks John

 

[Tikkamark]

I have a similar size workshop myself with single phase only as well.Im 28 not far off you!
Be prepared for a very expensive journey ahead of you buying machinery ect!

I have learned from mistakes so il give you advice,buy a quality welder from a reputable dealer who will back up warranty ect.For what you have listed one do it all machine won't work I don't think,you will need 300amp minimum mig with good duty cycle I bought after blowing up a Chinese mig a ine sfm 300 it's a beast of a mig for single phase top quality separate wire feed and 60% duty at 300a but needs 13kv on full whack so make sure your leccy supply is up to it.

For Tig I'm looking to buy a thermal arc 202ac dc heard good reports about them and decent 2 year warranty should it go bang!

I have loads of pics I'll download image resize app and stick them up!

 

[Tikkamark]

Just checking to see will this upload from my phone it's my shop built from ground up lots more gear to buy but getting there!

 

[Tikkamark]

This was my fleet till I got rid of the welder beside the Honda it was a china job I fried capacitors on it welding a large bucket it took over a month to get a replacement part for it on eBay so I sold it and bought the ine much easier to get parts and solid built machine,the red tig is a solter its in getting repaired at the min it's a nightmare to get fixed so its next to go and I'm gonna replace it with the thermal arc 202 please god!

 

[zzr1200]

Mmmmm.....Nice workshop....Tikkamark......Tikka as in rifle?


Leeds88......TecArc are near you, British Hand Built machines, 10 years parts supply, the factory is probably no more than an hour from Leeds, jump in the van n pick them up yourself, beats having to wait for parts for days/weeks.

Also in imho invest 200/300 Quidettes in an "Oxford Oil Cooled Welder" every workshop should have one gathering dust in the corner, find a good one, look after it you'll never have to buy another one.

You'll be surprised how often you will use it...

 

[Kent]

That's a blooming good shop Tikka, it needs filling to the brim with work now don't it just!

To the OP,
Be honest with yourself - what work have you secured at present? Not what you might like to have in or what you can do but what have you got? Buy the Kit to suit the order book and that which you have been doing so far BY YOURSELF, BROUGHT IN BY YOURSELF! I am in a similar position in a way and will be buying the set you talk of most likely (its not a 300amp working welder BTW you can just put it that high, in reality its say a 225 amp with a good duty cycle, heck what more do you need?) The smaller sets haven't to power for structural or intensive gate and railing work IMO at least not in the MIG side. Its perhaps the biggest single phase welder you can buy though when you look at 60% duty and being able to switch process means less in the truck but it aint a strap to your back type inverter its a fair weight and has no handle.
For me Bowland Fabrications Ltd is a small company, not a play thing but I have had far larger businesses elsewhere (just something I wanted to do well after trying the same in my 20s and failing) I was very naïve back then about business and finance / marketing . Remember cash is King especially these days don't beg overdrafts or raise the size of you company artificially with high directors loan accounts or other borrowings. Personally if I have the work in any area (on the books) I will invest in exactly what I need to do it and don't care if that means I spend what comes in but I sure as heck aint going to empty my personal accounts or borrow money for hopes I have for the future and rash promises made by contacts, give me a contract and or a good deposit .

So go and sell those gates, Ali frames, pipe contracts and go buy the stuff to suit. Tikka is bang on its expensive to set up and everything must more than pay for itself.

 

[Leeds88]

Thanks for the replies guys

Tikka: first of all your shop looks very well done. The thermal arc 252i is at the top of my list at the moment, with it having all 3 processes plus a 2 year warranty and its not going to take up too much space. How ever i still need a ac welder.

Kent: work wise i have too much on at the moment if im honest, im going through the awkward transition period of quitting my current job and going on my own full time. I am in with 4 good companies at the minute doing small jobs for them in my shop and i get a lot of snagging and welding on site for elland steel because my dad is a contracts manager there.

Financially im in a good position at the minute, i already have a mosa ts200 generator welder for site, mitre bandsaw and a pillar drill, all i really need now is a good shop welder/welders for all processes.

Thanks john

 

[Kent]

its as simple as buying the Kit you need then by your further description. Well almost!

 

[Richard.]

Just my thought but welding kit Should be bought and priced on its intention and purpose.
Warranty is important to a degree but reliability is key. Last thing you need in business and I know Kent will agree with this as a trader, is a machine down and been fixed under an amazing warranty if that machine puts food on the table. If it's in your garage making a few quid for beer then it's warranty all the way but if it's a business asset putting the roof over your head the reliability and reputation comes first.