Helpful Tips for Opening Your Own Metal Shop By Fred Stevens

Ever since you were a kid, you’ve relished working with your hands. You’ve always taken tremendous pride in being able to effortlessly construct furniture, cabinetry and assorted knickknacks. Whenever a neighbor, friend or family member needs something built, they don’t hesitate to pay you a visit. Although you got your start in woodworking, your true passion lies with metal works. After years of practice, you’ve developed an enviable knack for crafting metallic signs and fixtures – not to mention cutting assorted metals. When it comes to working with metals, you have very few equals.

Lately, you’ve begun to consider bidding farewell to the daily grind and opening your own metal shop. In light of the unrivaled proficiency you display when working with metals, this seems like the natural next step. Still, having never owned a business, there are a number of important factors you’ll need to consider before embarking on this venture. Taking care of the following things before sticking the "OPEN" sign on your front entrance will ensure that you make a seamless transition into your new role as a metal shop proprietor.

Find a Reliable Metal Supplier

Before you can start taking on jobs, it’s imperative that you find a reliable metal supplier. When shopping around for a good supplier, look for a company that offers a wide array of metals at manufacturer-direct prices. If you never pass up a chance to save a buck, keep an eye out for suppliers who offer special discounts to bulk buyers and repeat customers. Additionally, limit your options to supplier who stands by their metals. If their products are lacking in quality or versatility, the products you produce will suffer from the same flaws.

Purchase Top-of-the-Line Equipment

Because metal cutting is a job that requires extreme precision, you’ll need to purchase equipment capable of producing the quality you desire. On the hunt for reliable plasma cutters and blades, look for products whose manufacturers are renowned in the world of metal cutting. Given the steep price tags found on high-quality plasma cutters, the temptation to purchase secondhand or off-brand equipment may prove exceptionally strong. Keep in mind, however, that subpar tools produce subpar work– and subpar work won’t do you any favors with your clients.

Protect Yourself

Like any construction-related job, metal working comes with its fair share of safety risks. If a piece of wayward metal flies into your eye during the cutting process, you’re liable to find yourself blinded – possibly permanently. Additionally, if one of your fingers accidentally touches the blade of an operational plasma cutter, there’s a good chance you’ll lose it. With this in mind, make a point of investing in top-notch safety equipment – like industrial strength goggles and work gloves – and eliminating all distractions before tackling delicate procedures. Both the quality of your work and your personal safety depend on your ability to concentrate, so before beginning work, shut off your phone, turn off the television and request that your employees abstain from bothering you.

Although many woodworkers and construction enthusiasts aspire to become metal workers, precious few actually possess the attention to detail this job requires. Given the high demand for metal workers and their relatively low numbers, a reliable metal shop stands to rake in a substantial amount of business. So if you’re ready to do what you love while making big money in the process, remember to heed the aforementioned tips before declaring your shop open for business.

About the Author: Fred Stevens is a metal shop proprietor and lifelong construction enthusiast who resides in Burlington, Wisconsin. Whenever Fred finds himself running low on welding alloys, he gets in touch with Selectrode Industries. Boasting an unbeatable selection of construction metals, alloys and cutting tools, Selectrode is a name metal workers associate with savings and reliability.

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