When is it viable to buy gear?

[pauldub]

If most of your work comes from designing and operating (and I'm assuming it's lighting B-) ), then a more considered purchase for you may be a desk?

 

I know a few reasonably "big league" guys and they've purchased their own desks to ensure continuity and ease of setup while continuing to dry-hire the lamps and infrastructure.

The upshot is that a gig may be anywhere and they only transport a desk, while the lamps can come form the nearest supplier with the kit they want.

 

 

Thats the logical first step, which I did about 6 months ago when I bought a RoadHog. But my work is split into 2, designing and operating for other companies, where I provide the desk like you said. And corporate and special events where I am the production company suppling the whole rig.

 

I am confident that my relationships with the clients that I operate & design for are strong enough for me to also take on supplying the rig, and im talking to these clients to confirm this at the moment before I make the purchase.

 

It is easier just rocking up with the desk and plugging it in and then leaving after the gig and not having to pack up, but I guess weighing up the earning potential and how much extra work I need to do it can be worth my time down the track when the lights are paid off.

[David A]

your own gear means, it's available when you need it and it's always looked after. if you can afford it then it's the way to go, but get a free maintenance course as part of the deal.