Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunter's Campfire Mobile welding

Thinking of starting a mobile welding business. I have pretty much everything I need to do it, and would round out my existing equipment with a small GTAW machine, most likely a Lincoln Sprinter.


My question for the 'Fire is, how much demand exists for mobile welding repair services? This would be part time, such as nights and weekends. I am not quitting my day job, and yes, I am a very qualified welder.

Thank you all in advance for your thoughts and opinions.

If you were around here it would be great part time gig, with all the logging contractors around, there always seems to be something to weld.

Lots of opportunities in rural areas.
What competition do you have there?

There is demand for sure... but like everything... pricing will vary by location.

Be prepared for the “hey bub, the bottom of my grill has rusted out… can you fix ‘er up?” Calls.

And they expect to pay about $20.. 😁😁

It’s there

Kinda the same thing for mobile mechanics... and portable sawmills.

What will the market bear in your zone?

I would imagine there is a big need at the dirt track races on the weekends. Seems like they are always breaking stuff and in a bind to get patched back together. Maybe you could coordinate something with the local tracks in your area to be on call.

The portable sawmill game was great in the eastern part of the state. Out here those jobs have been sparse enough to where sending my mill down to Florida with my dad.

For my area, not much unless you have a big, multi crew job, or need something machined as part of the repair.

That is a very good idea

Knew a dude yrs ago did it semi retired for the sawmills around here kept him busy

Mobile welders are getting hard to find around here and command top dollar.

BIL has a trailer outfitted for sale welder n all FYI

Oh yeah? What's he got?

I’ll get some intel 👍

Everyone has an engine drive anymore.

I have my gas welder sitting on a trailer to do ranch type welding where I need to do it.

Every now and then I get a call to weld for someone else, but I sure don't advertise that I do it.... Much like I know how to build fence, but have no desire to build fences for others unless I can help it.

I'd say demand is fairly strong though.

A few years back (2017ish?), the "Awl Patch" kicked in out in the Permian Basin area (Midland/Odessa, TX)

Since the area has historically experienced the "Boom or Bust" oil business, the cities did not spend millions improving streets. Traffic was horrendous. ANY time you were stopped at a stop light, there would be no less than 3 to 5, Dodge, 1 ton, diesel, 4×4, 4 door pickups!
Custom beds, 200 amp diesel Lincoln welders. Custom wheels with monster mud tires. ....and don't forget a 10 gallon, yellow, Igloo water can and 50 qt Yeti cooler!
When Biden began shutting down domestic production, EVERY used car lot was loaded with ..... you guessed it!
Dodge, 1 ton, diesel 4×4, 4 door pickups .... without the welder or Yeti cooler!
AND...... Subaru, Toyota, VW, Honda, Kia dealers had a banner year!

I'd say you made a wise decision not quitting your job and don't expect to make big $ bucks everytime you strike an arc....and expect long dry spells!
A good welder will also need good fabrication skills.

Just an aside. Not many people do brazing or oxy/acetylene welding. It might be a business booster....or not!

Good luck! I hope it works out for you!

I’d say go for it! In Calif agriculture is good for welders and fabricators. I knew a guy years ago and he had a ten wheeler set up with a flatbed and a large boom with outriggers. He was one of very few that could lift a large land plane, weld on it, flip it over with skill like no other. With todays high prices on new, maybe more folks will be repairing ?? Cheers, Alan