Metal welders are skilled craftspeople who use heat and/or pressure to join together pieces of metal. Here, we’ll explore everything to do with metal welders near you – from what they do to how much they tend to charge.
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Your questions answered about metal welders near you
What is metal welding?
Metal welding is the process of joining together pieces of metal (known as the parent materials) using heat and pressure – either together or individually. There are lots of different methods that can be used in welding. Most of them fall under one of four groups:
MIG welding
This involves using a thin wire as an electrode, which gets fed through a welding gun. Meanwhile, a shielding gas keeps contaminants away from the weld (often carbon dioxide, oxygen, helium, or argon).
Stick welding
With stick welding, a consumable electrode shaped like a stick is used to join together the parent materials. This is coated in flux to create a shield when melted.
TIG welding
This requires a non-consumable electrode and an external gas supply (usually argon or a mix of argon and helium). The welder uses one hand to feed the rod and the other to create heat with a TIG torch.
FCAW welding
Like MIG welding, FCAW welding uses a continuous wire feed – however, the wire is flux coated, which means that you can perform this type of welding without a shielding gas. That said, a shielding gas is still normally used (often carbon dioxide or a mix of argon and carbon dioxide).
What type of metal is used for welding?
Any type of metal can technically be used for welding, although some are more easily welded than others.
Aluminium welding near me
You’ll often find aluminium in vehicles and buildings. It’s usually easiest to weld aluminium using MIG, stick or TIG (AC) welding techniques. That said, some grades of aluminium are difficult to weld and might need filler materials to help join the parent materials together.
Stainless steel welding near me
Steel is one of the most popular metals used in welding, thanks to the fact that it’s strong and relatively low-cost. Stainless steel is also resistant to rust, which makes it a common material in lots of different settings. MIG, TIG (DC) and stick welding can all be used for stainless steel, although each process will have a slightly different end result.
Cast iron welding near me
Cast iron is a great metal to use in welding projects as it has a relatively low melting point. You’ll often find cast iron in bridges, but fences, kitchen appliances and pipes can often be made of this material too. When it comes to welding cast iron, more specialised methods aren’t normally necessary – instead, traditional stick welding is all that’s needed.
Brass welding near me
Brass is routinely used in welding. However, it normally responds best to TIG (DC) welding, which needs specialised equipment and additional safety measures. So, it’s best to rely on experienced welders to work with this material.
Titanium welding near me
Like with brass, titanium responds best to TIG (DC) welding. So, it’s best to let the experts take the lead on any welding work you need that involves titanium. The same goes with copper welding.
Magnesium welding near me
Magnesium alloys are also popular metals for use in welding. However, these tend to work best with TIG (AC) welding methods (using alternating current instead of direct current (DC)). Again, this requires specialised equipment and safety considerations, so getting help from a professional is crucial.
Bronze welding near me
Bronze welding, also known as braze welding, is a method that involves joining two parent materials together using bronze filler rods. The parent metals are heated up and melted slightly so that they mix with the bronze and create a stronger join.
Bronze filler rods are composed of different amounts copper, aluminium and other metals – choosing rods with the right composition for your project is important to make sure your job is completed to a professional standard.
Can you do welding DIY?
If you have enough patience and time, you could learn how to weld. MIG and stick welding are both methods that are popular with DIY welders, as they don’t require lots of expensive equipment.
Just bear in mind that learning to weld isn’t quite like learning to play a musical instrument. Instead, this is an activity that could give you electric shocks, set you on fire, or make you inhale hazardous gases – so, it’s important to be confident operating the equipment. For this reason, we’d always recommend taking a beginner’s welding class as well as picking up bits online, so that you can be sure you’re as safe as possible.
It’s also worth noting that some metals – like brass, copper, titanium and magnesium alloys – rely on more specialised welding methods. These come with expensive equipment and extra safety considerations, so getting a professional’s help is essential.
Why hire metal welders near me?
Finding a professional to complete your welding project – instead of tackling it on a DIY basis – is worth it. Here are some of the main benefits.
- Safety. Metal welders near you will be experts in their craft and will be able to complete your job safely and professionally
- Experience. Metal welders in your area will have experience carrying out similar projects, enabling them to ensure a professional finish
- Equipment. It’s often not worth buying expensive equipment to complete your project – instead, metal welding shops near you will have all the equipment they need
- Professional guidance. A professional metal welder will be able to use their experience and judgment to evaluate the metals you’d like to join, select the best method, and let you know if the result you’re after is achievable – saving you time and money in the long run
- Quality. An experienced metal welder near you will be able to ensure your weld is strong and durable, so that it lasts for the lifetime of the product
How much does it cost to weld a piece of metal?
The cost of welding will vary depending on where the work takes place, the type of welding required and the size of the job.
However, as a rough guide, the typical welder charges around £50/hour.
Alternatively, if you’re looking for a mobile welding service, you can expect to pay a callout fee of around £200 (or £300 for urgent callouts). This typically includes around two to three hours of work.
How do I find reputable metal welders near me?
If you’re set on hiring a metal welder, there’s just one more thing to do – find a reputable metal welder near you! Here are our top tips on choosing the right welder for the job.
- Read reviews. Always check to see what other homeowners have said about any metal welders you’re considering. That way, you can choose somebody that others rate
- Check their experience. Make sure that your welder has experience working on other projects that are similar to yours. If you can see pictures of their work, that’s even better
- Make sure they’re insured. Check that your welder has the right insurance to protect them – and you – if things go wrong
- Collect multiple quotes. We always recommend getting at least three quotes from metal welders near you, so you can be sure you’re paying a reasonable price for the work
- Ask when they take payment. Reputable welders near you shouldn’t ask for full payment upfront
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