Things to learn about welding equipment in Kenya

The welding process has been in existence for centuries and with time there has been a lot of improvement in the Jua Kali especially with the introduction of welding equipment in Kenya.

Gone are the days when the only form of welding was forge welding whereby the blacksmiths would join iron and steel by heating and hammering.

The welding process has greatly evolved and things are now much easier due to the different welding process band welding equipment.

The entire welding process also improved immensely with the introduction of various energy sources such as electricity whereby you can use the electric arc, laser or even the electron beam, there is also the use of a gas flame, friction as well as ultrasound.

The fact that welding can be done in different environments, including underwater and outer space is a clear indication of how this industry has really grown unlike in the past whereby welding was only done on land.

Welding Equipment in Kenya

How welding equipment in Kenya work

Different types of welding require different types of welding equipment so as to perform the tasks of welding well.

These include;

Stick welding (shielded metal arc welding)

This type of welding is done manually and uses an electrode with a flux. The melting electrode is held by the electrode holder as it melts away.

It is the most popular welding process due to the simplicity of operation and equipment. It is mostly used in industrial fabrication and construction of steel structures.

Gas tungsten arc welding

Also known as tungsten inert gas welding, it is a process that uses a tungsten electrode to weld. The weld is protected by an inert gas, argon. Sometimes a metal filter is used.

This type of welding is used to weld stainless steel and other metals such as aluminium, copper and magnesium alloys. Compared to shielded and gas metal arc welding, this type of welding gives the welder control over the welding process allowing stronger welds.

Submerged arc welding

This type of welding utilizes a flat strip electrode. The molten weld is protected a flux consisting of lime, silica, manganese oxide, calcium fluoride and other compounds.

The process of welding is limited to flat welding positions and constant voltage welding supplies are utilized.

Oxy-fuel welding

This is the most common and oldest type of gas welding, although it has become quite unpopular in recent years.

The equipment used bin this type of welding are inexpensive and simple. It is slower compared to the arc welding due to the less concentrated flame used. Its main disadvantage is that it can lead to stress and distortion.

Spot welding

It is a popular form of resistance welding used to join overlapping metal sheets. It uses two electrodes that clamp the metal sheets together and pass a current.

Its efficient energy use is one of its advantages together with higher production rates. However, it has low weld strength.

Well, I believe you now have a bit of understanding of how welding equipment in Kenya work and why different welding processes need different welding machines.

Starting a welding equipment business in Kenya

Starting a welding equipment business can be as difficult as starting any other business and in any other field.

Welding equipment

Just as any other business on earth there are certain things which you need to understand and put in place before venturing into these business. This includes;

Ø  How to get customers

Ø  How to charge the right price

Ø  The equipment needed

How to get customers

Before starting any other business it’s important that you strategise on how to get your customers and the welding business is therefore not an exception to these. You will need to put up a frame work on how to attract customers since you are still new in the business and you will be definitely competing with experienced competitors who probably have been in the business for a long time and therefore have established themselves a great deal.

How to charge the right price

When you are just starting this business you need to carry out a survey and find out how much your competitors are charging their customers. This will be able to give you an idea of how much you will charge your customers as well. Remember your competitors have already established themselves and so try not to sell your welding equipment at a price which is higher than theirs.

 Find out the equipment needed

Another thing you need to research about before starting this business is to find out the kind of equipment you need to sell. Find out the kind of welding equipment that most people around that neighbourhood prefer and the equipment which are likely to sell first. Also ensure that you find out those equipment which are pocket friendly to your type of customers you are targeting. Ensure that you give your customers value for their money by stocking your shop with equipment which are affordable and long lasting.

Types of welding equipment found in Kenya

Ø  Gas welding equipment

This kind of welding machine is used to cut through heavy metals. This equipment comprises of professional cutting touches that are provided with choice of multiple welding tips so as to provide for easy cutting through the metal. This type of welding equipment is suitable especially if you need quality metal work which can inturn be used together with the multiple welding tips.

Ø  Stick or arc welding equipment

This type of equipment is also good and it uses the stick electrodes to weld mild steel, low alloy, stainless steel, cast iron, and hard facing for repair, maintenance and fabrication. This kind of machine wields a wide range of materials of various thicknesses in the shop and in the field as well.

Ø  Mig welding equipment

Mig or the metal inert gas welding is the most widely used of the arc welding processes. This method is suitable for everything from hobbies and small fabrications or repairs, through to large structures, ship building and robot welding. It can also be used on a broad range of materials and thicknesses. The concept underlying mig welding is very simple as with the arc being struck between the tips of the reel fed wire as it emerges from the torch of the work piece. The role of the shielding gas is to prevent oxidation from forming but the use of some flux-cored wires can avoid the need for a shielding gas.

Ø  Tig welding equipment

Designed for both Tig and arc/MMA welding applications, this type of welding machine welds a wide range of materials. Tig welding machine gives you more control especially because its faster in its methods to create stronger and higher quality welds.

Now that you have all the necessary information about how to start a welding equipment business and some of the types of welding equipment that we have here in Kenya i believe it will be much easier for you to start one.