How To Make Money With Welding That Worked For Me.

There are a lot of ways to earn money from welding and here's a list of my top 10 smaller products I started of making around a full time job.


I have been a Welder/ fabricator/Engineer for years making a range of products from sack barrows and racks to biomass boilers and canal boats and I still enjoy welding so hopefully you can learn to enjoy it like I do.


1. Metal figures -
The first things I started making in my breaks.
Any shape and style you can think of, I made figures for golfers, boat lovers, horse lovers and even other welders. The amount I charged depended on the time it took me and I sold my figures from between £10 to £100 per figure.
It's a really good starting point for anyone of any level as you can make contemporary art that follows no set guidelines or figures and models of existing vehicles etc. Just literally let yourself go arty.




2. Horse shoe art -
Similar to metal figures using old horse shoes.
You can use these to spell words, make pictures and figures or anything else your imagination can think of.
A few other ideas for horse shoes are -

• book ends.
• boot cleaners.
• welcome signs.
• hanging art.
• knives                      
• Candle holders.

3. Metal roses -
These can take a little time and practice to get right but choose the right times of year and you can sell a lot of these. I made these from December through to valentines day and wish I started earlier. After practice one rose would take me about an hour and a half each and would charge £25 each.
There really good to add to gates and railings as a classy feature to stand out as well.

4. Fitness training equipment -
This picture is a weight sled for speed training and an endurance trainer. There is many other sporting goods you can make to earn money. This one needs a pipe bender and a knowledge of bending to get right but there are easier models you can base yours around.I would sell these on Ebay for £75 each without postage. Also try -

• weight racking
• weight lifting stand
• bench press beds.

5. Garden/ Allotment hangers -
There's loads of choice and people like to spend money on allotments and gardens so it is a large market.
Just use your eyes and you will notice so many possibilities in and around gardens.

• hanging basket stands
• boot cleaners
• hanging brackets
• spade racks
• Bird feeder hangers
• Sign posts and House numbers.

6. Furniture and furniture legs -
On Ebay, Facebook Marketplace, Etsy or direct for furniture makers.
Furniture legs are easier to make and sell over the web and postage is a lot less than actual furniture but if you sell bigger items locally or direct to other shops that can sell them on your behalf you're on to a winner.
There are lots of people selling furniture legs on Ebay but if you design your own you will stand out from the crowd. Here is my own design for a sideboard cabinet.







7. Racking and stands -
There is lots of people that need stands and racks for different purposes from market stalls to factory based businesses.
Material storage, product displays or mold making stands. It's a large area that cant be covered by any one person which means there's always room for someone else. Here's a picture of some Fiber glass roof trim mold stands I made only just last year that lead on to lots more work.
So remember every order no matter how big could lead on to lots more work so always speak and present yourself as a professional.

8. Wrought iron railings -
Gates and railings are quite a large undertaking but if you have the time and space they also have a big price tag from £140 a meter and £500 for a standard single gate.
Make sure you can deliver as gates and railings are heavy and panels can range from 1 meter to 5 meters long. Don't just offer paint but also offer galvanizing and powder coating as the more choice gives the customer a sense of having more control over what they are spending money on and it makes you look more professional.
Make sure you know how to install your product before you offer it to the public and if you can call in a landscaping or builder friend to help you on the first few installations.



9. Water carrier tank frames -
These are a good product to make with lots of different needs and wants for added mounting holes and plates and you can use a lot of different materials to get to your finished product. Water carriers include window and carpet cleaners, mobile valet businesses and also horse and pet haulage.
There is also the added work of installing your frames on trailers and in vans for the customers.




10. Repairs and Alterations -
From car, van and trailer repairs to alterations to existing metal products for re purposing. This is a high in demand service as all cars get rusty and garages charge a lot more that a typical welder would which is good for you.
Farmers hate spending money and will more than likely fix it until it no longer exists than buy new so a welder on call could be just the ticket.

There are loads of other options and roots into becoming a self employed welder or just earning on the side of a full time job.
Remember there is a big difference in a weld and a good solid weld so make sure you know what you're doing.
Just charge the right price and do a good job and you will be remembered for it.

Please feel free to comment if you have any questions or want to add anything.