How to Make Extra Money with Hobby Welding Projects

Welding things together and making interesting stuff is a great way to pass the time and get in touch with your creative side, but if nobody is buying your welding projects, then they probably will not sell very well. Knowing what to expect is half the battle.

Make sure there is a market for your work. Do a little research on the Internet, in the local paper or classifieds, and maybe even visit a craft fair or two. If you see similar welding projects being sold, talk to the owners of them and see how business is. If you have an idea for something new and exciting, put the word out to people, and see if they would ever be interested in purchasing something like you have in mind.

Know your way around the Internet. In order to sell your welding projects, you have to reach the sellers. The Internet is a wonderful avenue for this, because there are many sites out there that cater to selling hobbies and things of that nature. Use the search engine to scout out people selling similar welding projects, and see if they are willing to showcase your work on their site. You can also set up an eBay account or use Craigslist to sell your welding projects. The more you search, the better your chances of finding a demographic that is interested in your work. There are also welding forums out there, so consider becoming a member of a few of these. Weldingweb.com is a good place to start - post up pictures of your work, and see what folks say!

Go to craft shows. Frequenting local craft shows is another great way to see what is selling, and if there is a spot for you and your welding projects on the market. Folks weld up everything from custom mailboxes to wire critters that are meant to sit in a garden or on the lawn and look cute. There is also a market for custom welded lamps and scale automobiles, and they have the potential to make a lot of money. Introduce yourself to others at the show who have similar welding projects for sale, and maybe you can gain some leads through them.

Fix broken things. Put the word out that you have a welder, and you might be surprised how many folks come to you with broken items to fix. Any hobby welder can repair things like fences and gates, bicycles, exhaust systems, trailers, buggies - the list really does go on and on. One option is to make up fliers or business cards and drop them off at the local hardware and automotive stores so that people know your services are available. Maybe the guy with a broken lawn mower who sees your flyer won't throw it away, and instead will contact you!