Over the last several years, the welding industry has seen a significant uptick in demand. Because of that, there’s a growing need for skilled welders. Those who are certified in the field have plenty of opportunities to showcase their talent and experience. Many struggle with whether to purchase a welding machine to foster their efforts, though. This can certainly be a major decision that revolves around several factors. If you’re trying to decide if investing in a welding machine is worth it, consider the following aspects.
How Much Welding Do You Do?
One of the main factors to think about when deciding whether to invest in a welding machine like the Lincoln power mig 215 is how much welding you need to do. If it’s a routine part of your life, owning your own machine could save a great deal of money over time. The cost of renting a machine or forwarding your welding needs to someone else can add up over time. On the other hand, if you only occasionally need to weld, renting or seeking outside help might be a more cost-effective option.
How Much Would You Benefit from Owning a Welding Machine?
From there, think about how much owning a welding machine would benefit you. Have you been forced to turn down jobs because you don’t have the equipment to do them? Is not owning a welding machine limiting the projects you’re able to complete? Maybe welding isn’t the primary component of your projects, but you could still get more done if you had your own equipment. If not owning a welding machine is holding you back, investing in one could certainly pay off.
Is Quality A Consideration?
Another aspect to consider is quality. If you’re renting a low-grade welding machine, the quality of your work could suffer. In the event you’re outsourcing your welding needs, the quality of the work you’re getting may not be up to your standards. Perhaps you could do a better job yourself if you had a machine to work with. If that’s the case, buying your own machine would be a great investment. It would give you more control over the quality of your projects. Beyond that, it might impress your customers and lead to more repeat business and recommendations.
How Much Versatility Do You Need?
Versatility is also an aspect to think about. Different welding processes require different machines and equipment. Purchasing different equipment for each type of welding might not be a cost-effective move initially. That being said, purchasing a machine that works for multiple types of welding could work out in your favor. Though a multi-purpose machine might be a bit more expensive initially, it could certainly be more affordable than buying multiple machines and accessories. At the same time, it would greatly extend the scope of work you’re able to do, which could bring in more income.
Investing in Your Skills and Your Future
Purchasing a welding machine can be a major investment, so it’s important to think it through before making a decision. If you don’t need to do much welding or owning your own machine wouldn’t really benefit you, then investing in a welding machine may not be the best option. If you need to do a great deal of welding or need more versatility than you have at the moment, your own machine could be a great investment. That’s also the case if you’re concerned about the quality of your projects.
Consider these factors. Weigh them against the costs of different welding machines and the payoff they might bring. That’ll help you decide if purchasing a welding machine of your own would be a worthwhile investment.
