Do you also believe that white-collar workers have a high income than blue-collar workers? Just because they dress professionally and go to an air-conditioned office daily does not make them earn more. Sometimes, the case is the opposite.
The blue-collar workers can generate high incomes too. One common profession that can lead to this is welding. Many people are not aware of the huge sums of money that welding can help to generate. However, how much money is made depends upon the type of welding and the level of training.
Welding can be used to earn a living along with providing high standards. This is because welding is a huge business. Most of the things you use in everyday life came into being with welding, like cars, buildings, etc. To earn from welding, the first thing that one should know is its meaning. Welding means joining together metal parts by heating the surfaces until their melting points.
Money by welding can be a good way to make money. However, welding shop requires professional welder training and equipment. Profitable welding projects like exhaust system fabrication, metal fences, and grill grates are something people love and local shops can sell. As you develop your skills, word of mouth about your quality work will spread and more people will find your welding shop.
Types of Welding
The amount of money that an individual can make from welding depends on the welding type he pursues.
MIG Welding: This is metal inert gas welding. It uses a feeding spool of welding wire which joins the metal together.
TIG Welding: This is a tungsten inert gas welding. It uses rods to fuse metals and requires more skill.
Stick Welding: it is a shielded metal arc welding that is very basic and easy.
Hyperbaric Welding: it is underwater welding that needs a lot of experience and training. It requires great welding skills. It is very risky.
MIG welding and stick welding are very simple and does not require too much of a skill. Hence, these entry level welding help to generate small amount of money.
On the other hand, TIG welding produces a high-quality output, is time-consuming, and requires qualifications. Thus, it is possible to make more from this type of welding.
When it comes to hyperbaric welding, it allows generating huge sums of money because, in this type of welding, a welder’s life is at risk. That’s how different types of welding generate variable amounts of money.
How to Start Welding Career
| Profession | Average Salary | Pros | Cons | Training Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Welder | $22.14 per hour | Opportunity to practice and improve skills, reasonable income | Requires physical work, income may vary with experience | Varies, but typically a few months to a year |
| Engineer | $83,859 per year | Leadership role, good income, less physical work | Requires advanced degree, knowledge of CAD technology | Typically requires a Bachelor’s degree (4 years) |
| Instructor | $53,823 per year | High income, less physical work, respected position | Requires a lot of expertise, AWS Certified Welding Instructor exam | Varies, but typically requires years of experience and education |
| Inspector | $31.97 per hour | Very high income, highest level in welding career | Requires a lot of experience and education, completion of all relevant AWS requirements | Varies, but typically requires years of experience and education |
The welding profession offers a great variety of careers. These are again closely linked to the amount of money generated. These include:
Welder
It requires basic welding knowledge and qualification. A welder needs to aware of how two metal pieces can be joined together. If you are at the start of this career, check the best TIG welder for beginners to choose a high-quality machine.
Expertise is not required since this career allows you to practice and make yourself better at it. This will further aid you in maintaining your certification and earn a reasonable amount of welding.
Engineer
To pursue this career, an advanced degree in welding is required. This is because the engineering level makes you the leader of handling welding projects and oversee junior-level welders.
Moreover, CAD technology must be known to a welding engineer. This obviously leads one to earn a good amount of money.
Instructor
This is the ideal level of welding that many want to pursue. This requires a lot of expertise and a degree in the AWS Certified Welding Instructor exam. Once an individual reaches this level, he can earn huge sums of money with less physical welding work.
Inspector welding work
This requires the completion of all the relevant requirements through AWS. This is the highest level in the welding career. It requires a lot of experience and education. Welding inspectors have a very high income more than that of white-collar workers.
How to make money from welding project: 32 ideas
Welding projects to make money can be a great way to make some extra cash from your homemade workshop. 15 welding projects is a good number to start with as you make money from home with this profitable side business. Keep in mind that you’ll need proper welding equipment like a welding machine, mig welder, electrode, shielding gas, and welding gloves to get good money for your work.
As an experienced welder or even just a hobbyist home welder, use your welding skills to make money by taking on repair work, modifying, and metal working projects. TIG or MIG welding techniques allow you to produce good quality welds for clients. Get the word out by leaving your business card in the mailbox of neighbors, small businesses, and people who love spending time outside.
Project ideas that make money include welded home decor items like metal sculptures, scrap metal art, and metal art. You can also offer services like welding fences, gates, and climbing plants for support. If you want to stand out from the crowd, focus on using wrought iron and metal tubing to include metal accents on projects.
Getting started is easier if you already have a home workshop or garage with the proper welding equipment. Set aside a few hours per week to work on your side hustle. As the number of reviews and people finding your welding business increases, it can become a great way to make good money from this enjoyable metalworking hobby.
Once everything is ready, you need to look for ideas for welding in the garage. We have collected 34 ideas for you to do:
Multifunctional Workbench
A sturdy, custom welded workbench can be an extremely useful addition to any garage or workshop. The key is versatility – incorporating features like adjustable height shelves, a vice mount, tool hangers, and modular storage cubes.
Start with a heavy-duty steel frame made of 2-inch square tubing. This provides a solid base that can handle heavy loads. The top can be a thick piece of steel plate or a hardwood layer – the choice depends on the intended use. Shelves underneath the main workspace increase storage capacity. Consider adding locking casters for mobility.
Numerous accessories increase functionality. A mount for a bench vise opens up a world of possible projects. Welded tool hangers keep essentials within arm’s reach. Modular steel storage cubes mounted to the sides and underside organize hardware, materials, and supplies.
The workbench can also integrate power – add outlets for plugging in tools and lights positioned over the workspace. With some clever design, this welding project transforms into the ultimate organizer and work station.
Kitchen Table
A custom metal and wood kitchen table makes an excellent weekend welding project. The style options are endless – industrial, modern, rustic – it all starts with the base.
For an industrial look, construct the base from black steel square tubing. Or use ornate ironwork or a simpler X-frame design. Tack together the pieces to check alignment before final welds. Grind any sharp edges smooth.
The tabletop ties everything together. For a sleek modern style, attach a smooth panel of wood or composite board. Or go funky and repurpose old barn wood or a carved tree cross-section. Bolt the top to the base using short sections of angle iron – weld these to the inside of table legs for a clean look.
Add personalized touches like initials or symbols welded to the apron. Finish with a clear coat to prevent rusting. Then gather friends and family to break bread around your custom creation.
Coffee Table
The simple lines of a steel frame coffee table work well with almost any room decor. Construction starts with the 1-inch square tubing base. Cut pieces to length and tack weld into a rectangle before completing final welds at the joints. Use a grinder to smooth out the corners and remove splatter.
For a glass top, precisely measure the interior dimensions of the frame and have a piece of tempered glass custom cut to size. Center the glass and attach to the frame with small welded brackets at the corners.
Or opt for wood – plywood, reclaimed boards, or polished oak planks offer endless style options. Cut slats or panels to size and fasten to the metal base with screws or bolts. Add hairpin legs at the corners for a sleek industrial look.
Finally, infuse some personality – decorative metal shapes skillfully welded on make great conversational pieces. With some creative welding, you can produce a one-of-a-kind coffee table on a budget.
Steel Stools
Minimalistic steel stools are a welding project suitable for all skill levels. Use 1-inch diameter steel tubing to construct the supportive base and legs. Cut the tubing to size with a chop saw. Miter the angles at the joints. Tack pieces together and check for square before completing final welds.
The straightforward cube frame design works well. Or make a bold statement with angled legs forming a pyramid base. Smooth sharp edges with a rotary grinder.
For padded comfort, stretch material such as leather or vinyl over a wooden seat cut to size. Attach with staples or nails. Or leave wood exposed for an industrial feel. Consider repurposed floorboards or tree slices.
Add polished chrome feet to raise stool height. Personalize further by welding decorative metal shapes or initials onto legs or apron. With some clever welding, you can produce unique, eye-catching seats to gather around any table.
Compact Fire Pit
A compact custom fire pit forged from steel makes an excellent addition to patio or backyard. Construct the basin from heavy 12-gauge steel sheet metal. Cut a 30-inch diameter circular piece with a plasma torch and grind smooth.
Bend the metal circle into a shallow bowl shape. Fasten the seam with small tack welds followed by a deep penetrating bead weld. Create a slight drainage slope.
Fabricate the outer decorative cage from 1/2-inch mild steel rods. Cut and bend into custom shapes – squares, triangles, rings. Weld together creating geometric patterns. Leave an opening as fire access.
Set the circular basin into the metalwork frame. Attach with small welds around the bottom edge. Finish paint black or add color with high-temp powders. Enjoy flickering flames surrounded by modern steel sculpture.
Metal Firewood Rack
As autumn approaches, a custom welded firewood rack makes storing next winter’s fuel easy. Start with the base – use 3-inch steel channel or square tubing to form a rectangle sized to fit the storage area.
Fabricate sturdy shelves from 2-inch angle iron. Cut pieces to length with a chop saw. Lay out in desired spacing. Tack weld first before final welds. Grind down any sharp burrs.
Determine rack height and cut four posts to length from 1-1/2 inch diameter steel pipe. Attach a post to each corner of the base using perpendicular plates welded on two sides. Secure shelves to the posts with U-bolts or welded brackets.
Finish with a rust-resistant paint or powder coating. Then stack up the fruits of your autumn labors – neatly organized and cured firewood ready for the long winter nights ahead.
Pyramid Planter
This geometric metal planter makes a unique addition to any garden. Fabricate each side from half-inch steel rod bent into isosceles triangles. Cut rods to size with a chop saw. Use a rod bender to shape the angles.
Tack weld the triangles together along the edges, forming a four-sided pyramid. Weld solid joints on all interior and exterior seams. Add a drainage hole.
Create legs by bending short rods into a loop. Weld to each corner of the pyramid so the planter stands upright.
For extra stability and decoration, attach small lattice pieces along the pyramid edges using steel corner braces.
Give your creation an artistic finish. Consider a rust patina, black powder coating, or infusing colorful metals like copper or brass into the welds. Then plant flowers, herbs, even trailing vines in your modern metallic container.
Doorbell
This simple welded doorbell project produces professional looking results while only requiring basic skills.
Use 1⁄2-inch diameter steel rods to form the hanger. Cut a straight piece to mount against the wall. At the bottom, bend a short section into a curve – this will cradle the clapper. Weld these components together end-to-end.
Fabricate the clapper from a 3-inch diameter steel disk. Grind the cutting edge smooth. Drill holes and attach two rods cut to appropriate length as handles.
Mount the hanger centered next to the door with masonry bolts. Suspend the disk from the holder. Pull back and release to activate.
Add some personal flair. Shape and weld decorative scrollwork atop the hanger. Or adorn the clapper disk with custom metal shapes like stars or your family name insignia.
When friends and family come calling, your handcrafted doorbell will produce clear, resonant tones announcing their arrival.
Welded Bouquet
Transform scrap steel into an everlasting floral sculpture. This project allows creative expression welding together metal bits into a bouquet.
Gather an assortment of steel scraps – short rods, balls, washers, chain, wire, squares, nuts and bolts. Clean debris and rust particles.
Lay out materials and play with abstract shapes and positions. Tack components in place temporarily to visualize ideas.
Use a MIG welder to permanently affix pieces building up floral shapes – washer petals, rod stems and leaves, a bolt flower center. Consider arranging shapes in a vase form.
Add color with spray paints. A blossoming pink peony, vibrant sunflower, deep purple orchid – let imagination run wild.
Mount the completed metallic masterpiece to a wall, gift to a loved one, or display as lawn art. Creatively transforming scrap steel into flowers that will never fade.
Trellises
I’ve found these ornamental garden supports to be profitable primarily in the spring when everyone’s itching to beautify their outdoor spaces with climbing vines and florals. They’re easy-peasy too – I just snag some old fence planks or trampoline legs from Craigslist for cheap or free even, weld together a nice arch shape, and voila!
To construct, layout the design first deciding on size and number of arches or crossbraces desired. Cut lengths of 1/2″ rebar or steel electrical conduit for vertical posts, pound into ground or cement in place. Then measure and hacksaw horizontal crosspieces and weld onto posts into graceful curves. Weave flexible BWG groundwire diagonally across frame to support heavier vines. Paint or treat for rust protection. Price usually between $100-$150.
Tool Carts
Every workshop needs a versatile hauler for moving equipment and materials around, so consider fabricating and selling customized welding carts. Use square tubing to construct a rugged frame then bolt on handy shelves, hooks, and compartments for storing welders, torches, metal stock, clamps, etc. Mobility is key – attach heavy-duty casters for rolling fully loaded with ease over rough terrain.
Start by designing size and features – how much weight capacity needed? How many shelves? Will it store cylinders? Cut and notch lengths of 2×2″ 11ga squartube for the frame, weld together into a boxy shape. Then add features like slatted bottom shelf, cylinder chain close to ground, jutting out upper shelf for welder, removable tool trays. Finish off by bolting on heavy-duty locking casters on bottom corners so it rolls smoothly when loaded up. Expect $300-500 for a custom job.
Entry Arbors
Spiff up homeowners’ front walkways with decorative welded arbors. Use thin rebar or 1″ steel tubes bent into graceful curves that make for visually striking garden passages. Incorporate fun design features like grand flourishes and ornamental details to command higher prices – think metalwork vines, abstract patterns, or even custom address plaques.
Layout the shape first using 1/8″ steel rod to bend smoothly into gate-like archway about 6-8 feet tall and 4 feet wide. Weld vertically into the ground cementing posts 3 feet deep. Then cut varying lengths of 1/2″ steel spacers and weld horizontally between vertical posts every 8-12 inches. Finally get creative welding on ornamental loops, curlicues, metal ivy, and powdercoating in bold colors for added charm. These make fabulous focal points leading into gardens or front doors and fetch $200-500.
Decorative Brackets
Build unique load-bearing brackets to lend an architectural flair whether inside or out. Go avantgarde with asymmetric shapes, artsy cutouts, faux finials, or mimic classic blacksmith scrollwork. Made from 3/8″ or 1/2″ steel and powdercoated or rustically, they attach easily to cabinets, shelves, gazebos adding custom structural support. Architects and designers pay premiums $75-150 each.
Commonly used for shelf supports or decorative exterior beam ends. Design a variety of personalized styles and sizes for different load weights and visual looks. Cut steel bar stock to size, grind smooth edges, then heat and hammer into bracket shapes as desired. Apply finishing techniques like scroll bends, oxidizing, distressing. Bolt to structures with appropriate lag screws rated for weight load. Custom work for upscale homes and businesses can yield very profitable margins.
Bike Racks
Cyclists always need places to lockup securely so fabricate and install customized bike racks for apartments, shops, parks, and campuses. Use 2″ steel pipe to bend into loops, waves, or interesting scaffold shapes painted bright for visibility. Embed into concrete footings for sturdy theft-proof parking that can handle the heaviest cruisers. Got 50 bikes? Build a rack for 50 bikes!
Survey site first – how many bikes need to be accommodated? Layout design on paper spacing loops 12″ apart. Cut and bend sched 40 pipe into waves or zigzags bolting together into one long feature piece. For security, cement vertical posts deep into ground and weld pipe rack onto posts. Paint bright yellow or green for visibility. Add custom school logo or business name for branding. Sturdy enough for heavier electric bikes and trikes. Bid jobs by the bike – $100 per bike space.
Campfire Tripods
Perfect for serious campers looking to suspend cast iron cookware safely over a fire. Fabricate portable adjustable tripods out of braided steel cable and hardware that collapse into compact carries. Lightweight yet sturdy for heavy pots.
Use 1⁄4” vinly-coated braided steel aircraft cable. Attach one end to top ring, lace cable down in tripod shape securing ends with metal cable clamps. Tie adjustable leg slider hardware into bottom cables. Add S hook from center ring.collapse tripod by slackening leg cables – packs into 16” carry bag. Tall enough for large stew pots with high BTU heat capacity. Perfect for serious backpacker campchefs. Sell for $60-85.
Custom Smokers
The ultimate BBQ luxury for those looking to take their smoking game to competition levels of perfection. Use large stainless beer kegs or steel drums to custom design state-of-the-art backyard smokers tailored to the most discerning BBQ aficionados. Install temperature gauges, prep shelves, chimney stacks and tuning plates for exquisite temperature regulation when smoking meat and fish for hours on end.
Expect $2000+ for these bespoke backyard marvels that will deliver competition-worthy smoked brisket and ribs every time. If designed right with enough insulation, tuning plates, and dual chimney stacks, these heavy duty smokers can hold temps steadily between 225-275 degrees for 8-12 hours stints necessary for succulent smoky perfection!
Fireplace Screens
Create custom fireplace screens using thin steel barstock and sheet metal. Intricately pattern welded guard screens help protect children and pets from open flames while bringing an artistic flair to any hearth. Design layered woven patterns, nature silhouettes, or spell names/dates with intersecting lines of steel.
Sketch designs first deciding on materials, shapes, and cutout patterns desired. Select 1/4-1/2” flat barstock steel and cut lengths with angle grinder. Layout pattern pieces and tack weld into place. Weave thinner 1/8″ ribbon steel through pieces as accents. Cut shapes from 14ga sheet steel in custom designs. Rivet screen mesh panels into backside. Expect to sell fitted screens for $150-300 each.
Wine Racks
Work proffering grapes? Wine connoisseurs always need stylish ways to store and age their precious vintages. Design and build custom steel wine storage of all kinds – freestanding racks, wall mounts, wine cellar library displays. Use circular and rectangular steel tubestock arranged aesthetically to beautifully showcase fine bottles and cuvées.
Gather materials – thin gauge tubes and rods, sheetmetal, mesh, wood. Sketch racks first calculating exact bottle dimensions and counts. Cut materials and tack together base frames. Then arrange bottle holders spiraling, zigzagging, or cascading as artistic displays that suspend or cantilever bottles. Add carved names or bonded winery plaques. Expect $500+ for custom built artisanal racks.
Street Signs
Tap into city infrastructure projects by welding and powdercoating attractive custom street signs as replacements for drab government-issued ones. Capture entire neighborhoods by pitching commissions in luxury communities seeking upscale curb appeal. Design colorful signs incorporating street names, hometown logos, and house numbers that residents proudly display as premium homewares.
Use lightweight aluminum stock and sheet cut into decorative shapes with routed edges. Cleanly TIG weld name/address signboards into fabricated frames ornamented with curls, flourishes or creative cutouts. Chemically treat then powdercoat in bold semi-gloss colors and protective UV resistant clearcoats. Provide custom mounting posts and hardware. Bid entire community blocks for mass appeal – $250-500 per address.
Metal Sunflowers
Brighten up gardens, patios and living spaces with fanciful handcrafted steel sunflowers. Use plasma cutters and grinders to intricately shape petals, leaves and stem components out of sheet metal, mesh and barstock. Showcase naturalistic details by texturing veining into leaves and tapering/cupping petals. Then bring it all together by arranging components and tack welding into permanent botanical sculpture.
Use 14ga steel and mesh for lightweight structures. Design 5-7 delicate sunflower petals in Solidworks first, plasma cutting profiles out of sheetmetal. Grind edges smooth then texture veining using needle scaler or ballpeen hammers. TIG weld stems from 1⁄2” square barstock, wrapping thin gauge sheet to resemble bark. Expect 30-40 hours design and fabrication time, fetching $400-600 each.
Custom Tree Swings
Delight kids and kids-at-heart by fabricating heavy duty tree swings tailored to unique landscapes and limb configurations. Survey tree species first to design around load-bearing capacities, suspension points and desired hanging heights. Source chains, ropes, lumber for extra-sturdy seasonal installations. Go simplistic with wooden plank seats or craft whimsical metal disk platforms, hammock chairs or bouncing loveseats suspended from steel rings. Install hardware without damaging treasured trees on family homesteads.
Bid swing fabrication jobs ranging $300-800 highlighting reliability, safety and custom craftsmanship. Emphasize lineages passing down generations. Capture sentimental value over mass retailers with personalized designs families cherish for decades or lifetimes.
Custom Dog Gates
Pet owners always need containment solutions for securing dogs without sacrificing style. Design and build custom welded garden gates to enclose porches, decks and landscaping while matching unique home architectures.
Work with ornamental iron, steel rods, mesh infill and post/ring hardware that withstand decades of doggy abuse. Include safety latches, escape hatches and details like house emblems. Bid fence/gate projects starting at $1000 targeting pet-loving homeowners.
Fireplace Toolsets
Fireplaces always need sturdy companion tools for stoking flames and handling logs. Craft handforged toolsets from antique iron and steel using traditional blacksmith techniques – forging, drift punching, riveting, scroll bending. Create ruggedly handsome sets of pokers, shovels, tongs and brooms styled in Art Deco, Arts & Crafts or Industrial motifs. Mount onto custom-designed stands fabricated from arched steel rods anchored in weighted bases. Sell $300+ to high-end homeowners valuing artisanal quality.
Garden Obelisks
Add height and drama to gardens with forged steel obelisks designed like mini Eiffel Towers. Construct pyramidal towers offering sturdy vertical supports for heavy climbing roses, vines and flowering plants. Use 1/2″ steel rods welded into tall hollow structures surrounding planters. Adorn with finial balls and spiraled flourishes. Create stunning garden focal points visible from second story rooms. Bid seasonal installation jobs. Target serious gardeners and backyard landscapers needing striking focal points or plant supports.
Entry Armillary Spheres
Science nerds and astronomers will geek out over functional astronomical models marking home entries. Construct complex movable armillary spheres which demonstrate the orbits and rotations of celestial bodies. Use geared inner/outer rings representing Equator, Horizon, Meridian aligned to Earth’s axis. Mount onto monumental pylons and customize orientations – celestial pole, zenith, cardinal points. Highlight specialty engraving, stone/brick mountings, and brass flourishes. Target upscale residential projects starting at $3000.
Sculptural Tree Grates
Municipalities often require protective grates around the base of trees in pedestrian areas. Fabricate signature sculptural tree guards rather than boring standardized city issue tree grates. Design in flowing organic shapes, integrating decorative elements like leaves, branches, birds or forest silhouettes. Use 1/4″ and 1/8″ steel barstock creatively welded together. Finish with durable powdercoating rather than raw steel to blend into landscaping. Bid contracts for cities wanting artistic custom tree guards at 2-3 times cost over utilitarian gray iron guards.
Custom Trailer Smokers
Competition barbecue teams need serious mobile cooking setups giving ultimate temperature control for low-and-slow smoking perfection. Start with a tandem utility trailer, fully customizing it into a competition-grade meat smoker. Construct thick insulated panels around the inner cook chamber to hold consistent 225°F temps for 8-12 hours. Include racks, drawers, shelves, extra fuel storage and stainless tables. Mount industrial thermometers, dual exhaust stacks. Finish exterior with stone, logs or faux brick sheathing. Market to serious smoking enthusiasts and prepper survivalists.
Wind Sculpture Gardens
Create flowing wind sculpture gardens featuring numerous kinetic steel art pieces designed to freely spin and turn with air currents. Use curved and angled steel barstock creatively welded together into delicate spinners, twirlers and rotors balanced on pivot points, floating frames and pole mounts. Components should move with the slightest puff of air using ball bearings and flowy geometric shapes. Design and fabricate 20+ separate sculptures integrated together into sanctuary garden spaces centered around peaceful movement with natural breezes.
Roll-Up Steel Hurricane Shutters
In hurricane prone regions, homes need protection from destructive high winds and wind-borne debris. Design and fabricate code-compliant custom rollup steel hurricane shutters offering security as well as heat/UV protection. Survey openings first then fabricate mounting tracks, side guides and steel curtain panels to exact measurements. Use interlocking 12-14 gauge steel slats with trim, bottom bars, and reinforcement ribs rolled up with geared hand cranks. Make multi-section shutters easy to deploy manually. Target coastal luxury residences and commercial buildings 50% cheaper than costlier major brands.
Water Feature Sculptures
Looking to up your welding skills even more? Try conceptualizing and fabricating detailed water sculpture fountains where every component interacts to create hydraulic/kinetic art. Design life-like elements from steel – spinning flowers with bobbing petals, fluttering hummingbirds sipping nectar, cascading waterfalls trickling through rock channels. Use programmed sequences varying rhythms, pulsing jets, flow rates and music synchronization. Complex programming maximizes interactivity between lights, sounds, motions triggered by water levels and user inputs. Bid high-end residential fountain installations starting at $50k.
All these projects can be completed in a garage with less cost. These generate a huge amount of income for welders. The garage-based welders can charge less to customers and eliminate competition. This will increase their earnings further.
Conclusion
It can now be seen that making money from welding is not very difficult. It requires some skills and basic welding understanding. However, it is time-consuming to set up and explore ideas. But this time is worth it as huge amounts can be earned. The best part is that it does not require a lot of initial finance to setup.
As a welder gains experience and more certifications, he is eligible to earn more and more. As skills and qualifications enhance, the work continues to get less demanding physically. This means less hard work is required to earn huge sums.
