hello

[blackolive (Ste)]

Hi All.

the names steve and Im in lancs.

why blackolive, well my current hobby car is an MG ZT 260, one of a very low volume production car, which is basically a rover 75 with a 4.6 litre mustang engine and rear wheel drive.

Ive been into electrical stuff and cars for years, and as part of this have been welding for years but am not an expert by any means.

Ive just got shut of a mig welder and bought a tig, as Ive a need to do sone good welds on a kit car chassis Im building up.

have really struggled to get hold of a bottle of argon, so have taken the plunge and am distributing adams gas in the lancs area, with a view to longer term setting myself up in business a welding consumables, gas, and welder supplier, with a bias towards the home/hobbyist welder, but I will not be selling anything from china . If I can be of any help, or if anyone can suggest what a supplier shuld be offering then please give me a shout.

thanks

steve

 

[Sparkey]

Welcome to the forum Steve!
Great idea for setting up your own business on welding supplies, mate!

Funny fact: our forum webshop (Weldequip), the owner's name is Steve too!!

 

[rtbcomp]

........
Funny fact: our forum webshop (Weldequip), the owner's name is Steve too!!

And he's from Lancashire too.

Welcome to the forum

 

[Sparkey]

And he's from Lancashire too.

Welcome to the forum

Wow! that's weird! They might know each other!

 

[cumbriasteve]

I think a broad refusal of Chinese merchandise is a business mistake, although there is certainly some cheap rubbish built, I am also certain there will be some quailty firms who support their products.

I also admit it is early days to identify the better manufacturers but the market will develop and they will get a stronger foothold, in the present economic situation, price over quality will ensure purchases, those companies will improve their products and quality control until they are major players.

I think in 5 years time there will be at least a couple of very popular Chinese brands selling top of the range welding machines in the UK, with full UK parts back up.

 

[blackolive (Ste)]

thanks for the replies Guys, Sparkey, whats speedglass Im intrigued.

re the chinese stuff, it isnt the build quality, its the electronic components inside. the country is rife with counterifet components being knocked out and bigger companies incorporating them into their assemblies. by the time they are over here and a fwelder/fridge/toaster fails after a few hours use we as suppliers end up with the hassle of sorting warranty returns. the italians have the eye on the ball with gas and electric related stuff.

 

[Sparkey]

thanks for the replies Guys, Sparkey, whats speedglass Im intrigued.

Really!
Now i'm intrigued!!!
You want to start a welding equipment bizz, and you don't know what Speedglas is!!

Here then:
http://solutions.3m.com/wps/portal/3M/en_EU/Speedglas/Home/

May i remarque: Speedglas are the first to come with a women's range of welding masks!!!
I already was a sucker for the 100's graphic range, now it's even better!!!!!!

 

[blackolive (Ste)]

doh !!
TBH been having a look onlne and offline over the weekend. with the number of welding outlets in that area I wonder whether its worth setting up after all. will just stick with the gas for now and see whether it takes off

 

[Sparkey]

doh !!
TBH been having a look onlne and offline over the weekend. with the number of welding outlets in that area I wonder whether its worth setting up after all. will just stick with the gas for now and see whether it takes off

LOL! no worries mate!
Yes, it wont be easy if there are already loads of other shops...
Maybe you could try it out with some small stuff first?? Welding gloves or something similar?
But ofcourse it's a big step and it's yours, and yours only to make!
Good luck anyways!