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Starting your own welding business offers a host of advantages which can be appealing to many individuals. Whether you’re looking for the flexibility of choosing your own hours for better work and home life balance, or you want the chance to make something for yourself, many are choosing to go solo in their careers. Being a welding technician is a great career to pursue, whether as a self-employed or even as a successful enterprise. However, there are a few things to consider before jumping two feet in.
As bottle gas suppliers, we have an extensive network of welding and fabrication businesses. Today, we’ll be sharing all the tips and advice we’ve discovered working with them to help you make the right steps to being successful with your next big step.
Choosing the Right Welding Method for Your Business
When it comes to welding machinery, two popular types are the Metal Inert Gas (MIG) and Tungsten Inert Gas (TIG) welders.
MIG welders, also known as Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW) machines, use a wire welding electrode on a spool that’s fed at a constant speed. This creates a weld pool by heating both the wire and the base metal. MIG welding is relatively simple to learn, making it a great choice for beginners without compromising on the quality and speed of the welding.
On the other hand, TIG welding, also known as Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW), uses a non-consumable tungsten electrode. It’s more complex and slower compared to MIG welding but offers greater control and produces superior-quality welds. TIG welding is best suited for experienced, detail-oriented professionals. Your choice between MIG and TIG should, therefore, be heavily influenced by your experience in welding and the type of jobs you will be undertaking. Understanding which method you will be using allows you to ensure you have the correct UK welding equipment and tools to begin your business.
Training and Certifications for Welding Professionals
For mobile site welders and individuals looking to penetrate the public welding service market, comprehensive training and obtaining relevant certifications are critical for credibility and demonstrating the quality of your work. If you’re aiming to establish your welding business in the UK, it’s even more essential to familiarise yourself with the local certification and training requirements.
Essential Certifications for Welding
In the UK, a widely recognised professional welding qualification is the CSWIP (Certification Scheme for Welding and Inspection Personnel) Welding Inspector certification provided by TWI (The Welding Institute). This certification affirms your ability to meet and uphold professional standards in welding technology and inspection.
For broader European recognition, you can pursue the European Welding Federation (EWF) and International Institute of Welding (IIW) diplomas. These validate your competency in welding supervision, coordination, engineering, or inspection within any European Union country.
Need for Continuous Technical Training and Skill Development
Keeping on top of the latest techniques, safety protocols, and advancements in machinery is crucial in welding. Continuous technical training and skills development ensure your methodologies remain current, aligning with the evolving industry standards. This ongoing learning process is essential for maintaining certification, improving the quality of your work, and exceeding client expectations.
Several respected institutions in the UK offer rigorous welding training programmes. For example, renowned establishments like TWI, City & Guilds, and EAL (Excellence, Achievement & Learning Limited) offer courses from introductory levels to advanced, thus providing a pathway of progression in welding and fabrication skills. Investing in quality training ensures you remain at the forefront of welding advancements, leading to a successful and reputable business.
Which Sectors to Market Your Services To
For service providers looking to cater to business-to-business, wholesale markets, or tool hire depots, understanding and identifying profitable markets within various sectors is crucial for business growth.
Several sectors heavily rely on welding services for their daily operations, including:
- Agriculture: From repairing and maintaining agricultural machinery to constructing farm infrastructures such as fences and barns, a skilled welder is invaluable in this sector.
- Air Conditioning & HVAC: Welding plays a crucial role in the manufacturing, installation, and repair of air conditioning systems and HVAC units. Businesses and residences alike require these services.
- Automotive: The automotive industry mandates a constant need for welders, with applications ranging from car production to specialised customisation and repair.
To identify profitable markets for welding services, it’s helpful to conduct market research, analyse competition, and network with key players in the industry. Thorough market research can help you understand the prevailing needs of the market and identify areas with a demand for quality welding services not currently being fully met.
Analysing your competitors can help you identify gaps in the market and find areas where you can provide a better or unique service. Networking with key players in the industry can also help you stay up-to-date with market trends and open up opportunities for business collaboration.
The Importance of Getting the Right Equipment
To begin your entrepreneurial journey in the welding industry, acquiring essential equipment is a necessary step. Whilst we can provide you with your MIG welding gas, there is a number of other essential equipment you’ll need.
Safety is of paramount importance, and the key to this is a quality welding mask which offers essential protection. To assist your workflow, you’ll also need welding clamps (including C clamps) and welding magnets to hold metal pieces in place during operations.
A workhorse in any welding shop is the welding table – sturdy and sufficient for various projects. Similarly, a key investment would be an oxy-acetylene system, versatile enough for different welding types and cutting operations. For rendering a smooth finish to your welding projects, a metal file becomes an indispensable tool.
Your most significant investment would be a MIG welding system, a go-to option for various applications and relatively beginner-friendly. And, of course, an argon gas bottle or CO2 gas cylinder is vital for MIG welding or any welding process requiring shielding gas. Rounding off the list of essentials, you should invest in welding gloves for hand protection and an angle grinder for tasks like cleaning up welds or cutting through metal.
Setting Up a Regular Gas Supply Contract with Adams Gas
For businesses requiring regular welding gases, establishing a regular supply contract with a trusted provider like us can be a strategic move. Such collaboration ensures seamless operations, leading to business efficiency and customer satisfaction.
A regular gas supply contract brings several benefits to your business:
- Regular Supply of Gas: A steady supply of gas ensures you never run out of gas in your operations. It allows you to plan your work without having to worry about availability.
- Predictable Expenditure: Regular contracts usually mean predictable and sometimes lower pricing, enabling better financial planning.
- Time Efficiency: With scheduled deliveries, you save the time you’d have used in making manual orders.
- Relationship Building: Regular interaction with a supplier spawns a business relationship that can lead to preferential treatment, better deals, and personalised service.
Adams Gas Delivery and Canister Filling Services
We take pride in promptly supplying gas cylinders through our large stockist network throughout the UK. We also offer local delivery services in Kent, East Sussex, and South London. As part of our commitment to unparalleled service, we offer gas cylinder filling on a contractual basis.
This service involves collecting, filling, and re-delivering customer-owned cylinders – a seamless solution ensuring you never run out of gas. With Adams Gas as your regular gas supplier, you can rest assured that your welding operations will never be interrupted due to a lack of gas supply.
Order Your Gas Online Today
Your welding gas supplies are of equal importance as your machinery. A few commonly used gases in welding are propane, butane, TIG welding gas, and MIG gas. Each of these gases has unique properties that make them suitable for specific welding operations. Quality gas is critical for achieving optimal welding performance as it influences the depth of penetration, welding speed, and the appearance of the finished weld.
So, if you’re ready to take on your next challenge, order your gas online with ease at Adams Gas. We offer speedy delivery and a customer satisfaction guarantee. Browse our entire bottle gas selection and place your order today.
For more information on Everything You Need to Know About Starting Your Welding Business talk to Adams Gas