When the public – and many welding students – first think of typical welding jobs, they likely imagine a worker joining metal sheet on a large shop floor in the aerospace, automotive or shipbuilding industries. Manufacturers employ thousands of welders for these uses, after all.

But mobile welding, which is done outside the confines of a shop, is also common. A mobile welding business often consists of a single welder and only enough equipment to fill a trailer or small truck. Mobile welders typically cover a relatively small geographic area, centered around a city or a few counties. This contrasts with so-called “traveling” welders, who travel long distances to spend months working on industrial shutdowns or shipbuilding activities.

Read on to learn the basics of welding on the go.

Novel uses

Simply put, mobile welding is useful wherever there is metal that needs welding. Farmers are a typical customer. Many welders visit farms to repair stalls, machinery and equipment, or build new gates, fences or structures. Farm work can be erratic: if milk and grain prices are low welders may only do minimal repairs, but during planting and harvest seasons they may work days on end without a break.

Mobile welders also perform repairs on outdoor pipelines (Figure 1), railroad equipment, vehicles, trailer hitches, playground equipment and much more.

Entrepreneurial spirit

Mobile welding appeals to skilled welders who do not desire to work for an employer, or to employed welders looking to strike out on their own. Investing in a mobile welding operation is typically less expensive than opening a brick-and-mortar shop, and its small scale makes it a relatively simple entry point into owning a business.

Figure 1: Mobile welders are often called on to build or repair outdoor pipelines. Source: Hamid3/CC BY-SA 3.0

Like most small business owners, mobile welders can enjoy the freedom of moving between jobs on their own time. Of course, with that freedom comes increased responsibility: mobile welders need to purchase their own insurance, keep licenses and certifications up to date, invest in and maintain their own vehicle and welding equipment, and stay on top of marketing their services.

Power supplies are key

A typical arc welding machine simply plugs into a wall outlet and runs on AC power. While this arrangement works on the shop floor, it is often impossible in the field. Welding a farmer’s fence miles from the nearest structure requires a similarly mobile power supply.

Mobile welding machines typically include a built-in gas-powered generator capable of equal or greater power compared to shop-floor equipment. These machines are loud, but higher-quality equipment often includes a muffler to keep noise pollution to a minimum.

Gas-powered welders are portable but somewhat heavy. While they may only take up a dozen cubic feet, they can weigh upwards of 600 lbs or more. For truly portable welding, manufacturers now produce battery-powered arc welders. The Fronius AccuPocket, for example, produces less power than a gas-powered welder and can perform 10 or 12 welds between charges, but weighs only 31 lbs. For performing a few key welds in a difficult-to-reach or high-altitude location, handheld machines like this one are essential for the mobile welder.

Increasing safety

Safety is paramount to all welding operations, but mobile welding introduces even more considerations. Work areas where welding is performed must be free of all flammable material. Unlike a shop-bound worker, mobile welders may visit several work sites in a single day, so visually inspecting and cleaning up each site is key to safe welding. Mobile welding often takes place outdoors, so welders must be sure to clear leaves and vegetation from the work area before striking an arc. And of course, investing in quality personal protective equipment, including helmets, gloves and heavy clothing, is a must.

Mobile welding is just one way to break into the industry. For more about welding careers and all things welding, visit the AWS Welding Digest.