I live in a small village with a population of 17 thousand people, it seems like such a figure according to statistics. One might say that this is a large village. I myself work as a welder, but somehow I thought about it and realized that most of my friends and acquaintances have welding and a grinder in our village.
Why is that? Three reasons are urgent need, affordability, and low income for the majority of the population.
Of course there are apartment buildings of 3 or 5 floors, but there are not many of them. Most live in the private sector. This means your yard, shed, garage, fence and many other structures where there is metal. Sometimes it needs to be repaired, new ones made, which means sawing and welding.
Modern welding inverters have become inexpensive. Almost everyone can buy for themselves, the most inexpensive smartphone will be more expensive! Last week, a friend came to my garage and brought a new inverter for a test. I bought it together with a chameleon mask for 5500 rubles. Bought, however, via the Internet in China, supported the Chinese economy!
Inverter 200 ampere. I started testing at different modes and diameters of electrodes, maybe there is 120-140 amperes there, but enough for the house with a margin. I won't tell Mark, this is not an advertisement, but a real case.
Hiring a welder in such villages is an expensive pleasure in relation to average salaries. Only if you don't have your own welding, or you need to cook something serious, where experience and skill are needed. In all other cases, the majority tries to weld on their own, at the very least, over time it starts to work out.
But in our small villages there are problems with electrodes. The assortment in most stores is small, and the most important thing is the inflated prices. The average price per kilogram of rutile-coated electrodes is 220 rubles. A pack of 5 kg costs at least 1000 rubles.
It's just that before, a millionaire often traveled to the city to buy metal and electrodes for welding. The city is 100 km away. The prices are less, and the range is more, it made sense even to hire a truck. Now it's better - a good metal warehouse with reasonable prices has been opened in the village.
So, welding machines and other tools are in great demand in small and medium-sized villages and towns.
I am very interested in who lives in large cities, if you have a need for welding and other tools. And yet, as with this with your friends. Write in the comments.
Until next time!