So you now have a welding certificate. Now what? It’s either you go ahead and look for a welding job or start small and create welding hobby projects at home to make money. Here we give you some ideas on what you can start with so you can maybe jumpstart your career in welding.
Welding Hobby Projects, Video Tutorial
Personalized Family Name Metal Sign
One of the things you can create is a personalized family name metal sign. Every homeowner would love to have this displayed and it would be the perfect idea for gift giving. That means you have a target market for it. Watch Barbie the Welder show you how you can create this custom Family Metal Sign.
Steel Fire Pit
Another welding hobby project you can do is a steel fire pit for outdoor living spaces. Hobart Welding Products gives an in-depth tutorial on how to MIG weld a fire pit. Watch the video below.
Welded Steel Coffee Table
A rustic look for homes is trending nowadays and it seems it will be staying for a while. Homeowners are always on the lookout for something that is handmade. A welded steel coffee table will certainly be a good centerpiece that will be a conversation starter. Watch a video on how to weld a steel coffee table by Two Moose Design.
Welded Sculpture or Metal Art
Since we are already talking about conversation starters, why not make a welded sculpture. You can do a welded horse head or a ram skull. If you want to know how to make one, watch a tutorial by Barbie the Welder on how to weld scrap metal art.
Portable Camping Stove
Another welding hobby project on the list that can help you earn is a portable camping stove. People travel a lot and there are some who prefer to bring a camping stove with them when they go on a vacation in a remote area. Watch a tutorial on how to weld a portable camping stove by Justin Voss below.
Welded Tailgate BBQ grill
A welded BBQ grill is one that we add to the list of welding hobby projects that you can do. If you’re up for the challenge, watch a video by Weldtube on how to use SMAW, DualFluxcore, MIG, and TIG welding to create a full build tailgate BBQ Grill.
Welding as a hobby or hobby welding is a fun activity for many most especially those who want to do a lot of DIY projects. It’s done by some car mechanics, craftsmen, and even artists who find it exciting and enjoyable. If you’re thinking of hobby welding and you have no idea where to start, we can definitely help. We answer some questions you might have on your mind and give you steps on how to go about it. Who knows, what can start as a hobby could maybe be the start of a flourishing career in welding.
Hobby welding, when is it useful?
There are several reasons why welding could be a great hobby. You might be surprised as to how useful it could be. Welding can be a useful skill in building DIY projects and doing some repairs.
Hobby Welding projects
Welding can be used in building projects like lamps, tables, wrought-iron fences, and other furniture that can be used at home or for your workshop. It could also be useful in automotive work, large appliances, and practically anything as long as connecting metals are involved.
Some of the other projects you can do include making a Lawn Car, Driveway Drag, Garden Tractor Wheel Weights, Garden Tractor Rear Weight Rack and even a Boat Cover Support Frame.
For artisans, this skill could also be useful in creating your own sculptures and other metalwork.
Hobby Welding repairs
In terms of repairs, learning the skill of welding can also save you a lot of money. Instead of calling for a service repair paying a lot of money, you can save yourself the trouble by doing it yourself and spend the money on more important things.
You can install or re-weld a wrought-iron fence, repair your children’s’ wagon or bicycle frame, or even replace a car muffler all by yourself. You can repair a lawn sweep, leaf vacuum, wheelbarrow, snowblower, bicycle carrier, and more.
What kind of welder do I need for Hobby Welding?
The most important part of hobby welding is owning a welder or some welding equipment. To get started, you need either a Stick welder or a MIG (Metal Inert Gas) welder.
Stick welding is very popular among hobbyists. In stick welding, you use an electrode or a welding rod with a flux coating on the outside. When you then strick an arc with a stick welder, the welding roc burns and this creates a weld bead that you see at a welded joining. It’s a proven process but it also comes with its disadvantages. Striking an arc can be difficult to learn and it produces a lot of smoke. This is where MIG welding comes in.
In MIG welding, you use a roll of wire fed out of a gun style handpiece. Once you press the trigger, the MIG welder starts feeding out the wire. This is the quickest and easiest hobby welding process.
The equipment you need to start includes a welder, welding rods, a welding helmet, heavy leather gloves, assorted clamps, and a grinder which is optional.
Welding as a Hobby: Tips for Beginners
Get some Welding training – even if it’s just a hobby, you need to go through some training so you would learn the basics to be able to weld safely and efficiently. You could either go to a local vocational school to get some introductory courses or you could ask help from a local professional welder. Read our blog on “Welding Tips of Beginners” to get to know more about how to start.
Get some welding protective clothing and equipment – Yes, you won’t weld on top of a building, but you need to be as careful as those who do. Welding means dealing with electricity and that means being exposed to extreme heat and some welding spats. Purchase some welding protective clothing and equipment because, in welding, safety comes first.
Do a little research – since this is a hobby, part of that is doing your own research as to what particular use you want it for. After getting some training, you can go ahead to check out the internet for some DIY welding that suits whatever project or repair you are working on.
Have fun – the best thing about hobby welding is you’re doing it for yourself. Be creative and don’t be afraid to screw up. The key is to keep practicing and pretty soon you will get the hang of it and maybe even want to learn more until it isn’t just a hobby but a career.
