TIG welding
The most refined process, for stainless steel, aluminium and visible or highly demanding parts. It suits thin sheet, sanitary pipework and assemblies where the appearance of the weld bead matters.
Expertise
Welding and metal fabrication subcontracting
TIG and MIG welding, plate fabrication, steel structures, tanks and metalwork: compare quotes from workshops that know the trade.
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Metal fabrication shapes and assembles metal structures from sheet, tube and sections: tanks, hoppers, frames, heat exchangers, pipework, load-bearing structures. Welding is the central joining process, but a fabrication workshop is not limited to it: it marks out, cuts, bends, rolls, fits up, welds, inspects and finishes. Architectural metalwork, which produces gates, railings, staircases or pergolas, belongs to the same family.
The most frequent requests for this trade concern the manufacture of welded mechanical structures to drawing, TIG welding of stainless steel or aluminium parts, repair of parts or equipment, and made-to-measure metalwork for industry, commercial buildings or demanding private clients. Quantities range from one-off parts to small repeat batches; beyond that, workshops often equip themselves with robotic welding cells.
Choosing a fabricator means above all checking that they master the material, the weld quality level required and the regulatory requirements of your sector. This page details processes, materials, qualifications, inspections and price factors so you can write a precise request and compare quotes on an informed basis.
Common services
MIG/MAG welding
Continuous wire under shielding gas: productive on structural steel and structures, with medium to heavy thicknesses and a good rate for batches.
Stick welding and submerged arc welding
Stick welding remains relevant on site and for repairs; submerged arc automates long welds on heavy thicknesses, such as tank shells.
Plate rolling and bending
Sheets are curved into shells, cones or profiles by a plate roll, or bent on a press brake. The fabrication workshop then assembles these elements into tanks, ducts and casings.
Welded mechanical structures
Machine frames, chassis, gantries and walkways are made from sections and plate, then machined after welding if the reference surfaces require it.
Industrial pipework
Stainless or steel networks, bends, branches, flanges and supports: cutting, welding and inspection of the assemblies, in the workshop or on site.
Architectural metalwork
Railings, staircases, gates, canopies, street furniture: the workshop surveys the dimensions, manufactures, protects the surface and installs the work.
Repair and hardfacing
Restoring cracked, worn or broken parts, weld overlay on wear areas, rework of distorted frames.
Materials worked
Structural steels (S235JR, S275JR, S355J2)Weathering steel such as CortenAustenitic stainless steels 304L and 316LDuplex stainless steel (2205)Aluminium (5083, 5754, 6082)Galvanised steel, with the protection restored after weldingFerritic stainless steels for exhausts and ductsCopper, brass and copper alloys
Common applications
- Tanks, hoppers, vessels and silos for the food and chemical industries
- Machine frames and welded structures for special-purpose machine builders
- Process piping and fluid networks
- Walkways, staircases, railings and industrial platforms
- Stainless steel equipment for commercial kitchens and laboratories
- Chassis, trailers and agricultural or civil engineering equipment
- Gates, pergolas and architectural metalwork
- Repair and maintenance of tooling and equipment in production
What affects the price
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1
Skilled labour hours
Welding is largely charged by time spent. The number of welds, their length, difficult positions and the accessibility of the joints make it the biggest cost item.
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2
Material and procurement
The price of sheet, tube and sections, their thickness, grade and any material certificates affect the total; stainless steel and aluminium cost considerably more than mild steel.
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3
Quality level and inspection
A high weld quality requirement, non-destructive testing, a manufacturing file or welders qualified to the required standard add hours of work and documentation.
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4
Size, weight and handling
Large parts require overhead cranes, fixtures, workshop space and sometimes abnormal-load transport, which affects manufacturing and delivery costs.
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5
Finish and surface treatment
Pickling, passivation, polishing, painting, powder coating or galvanising increase the price and may impose design provisions (vent holes, access).
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6
Installation and on-site work
If the workshop installs the work, travel, lifting, scaffolding, permits and safety plans are added to manufacturing.
Tips for a successful request
Post a request- Attach a dimensioned general arrangement drawing, a 3D model if you have one, and a weld diagram (symbols) if you are comfortable with that.
- Specify materials with their exact grade and thickness, as well as any certificates or traceability expected.
- State the weld quality level required (for example level B, C or D of the ISO 5817 standard) and the inspections to be carried out.
- Describe the operating environment: pressure, loads, temperatures, products in contact, marine or food environment.
- Mention the surface treatment you want, any installation and the site access constraints (height, lifting, work at height).
- Specify the regulatory requirements of your sector (structures, pressure equipment, foodstuffs) to rule out uncertified workshops.
Standards and qualifications: what you can require of a workshop
The level of requirement varies enormously from one job to another: a raw steel table does not call for the same documentation as a pressure vessel. Several standards structure the trade and serve as benchmarks in a specification.
- Welder qualification (EN ISO 9606-1) and welding procedure qualification (EN ISO 15614-1): they certify that the welder and the process are approved for a given material, thickness and position.
- EN ISO 3834: quality requirements for a company that manufactures welded assemblies.
- EN 1090: fabrication of steel and aluminium structures for construction; it governs the CE marking of these works, with execution classes from EXC1 to EXC4 depending on the consequences of a failure.
- ISO 5817: quality levels for weld imperfections (B, C or D), to be quoted in your request.
- Pressure equipment: the European Directive 2014/68/EU imposes additional requirements on design, welders and inspection.
Not all of these references are needed for every project: request them only when your application requires them, as they increase cost. Conversely, do not assume that an uncertified workshop is incompetent; ask it instead about comparable references and its inspection capabilities.
Common inspections combine visual examination, dye penetrant or magnetic particle testing for the surface, and ultrasonic or radiographic testing through the weld. For independent inspection campaigns, the inspection and metrology page presents the specialist providers.
Stainless steel, aluminium, steel: points to watch for each material
Each metal has its own rules. Structural steel is the most forgiving, but it needs corrosion protection after welding. Stainless steel tolerates overheating poorly: insufficient gas shielding on the back of the weld leaves an oxidised layer, sometimes called “sugaring”, which destroys corrosion resistance. Pickling and passivation after welding, and inert gas purging inside pipework, are therefore common on food and pharmaceutical installations.
Aluminium is mainly welded by TIG with alternating current or by MIG with good wire-feed systems. It conducts heat very well, distorts more and requires careful cleaning of the alumina layer. Some hardened alloys weld poorly: check the weldability of the grade before fixing it on a drawing.
Distortion is the recurring issue with welded structures. The fabricator limits it through design (welding sequence, symmetry of welds), through clamping and sometimes through stress-relief heat treatment. If a welded part must then be precise, ask for machining after welding, for example at a CNC machining workshop, or for manufacture coordinated with a mechanical assembly workshop.
Finally, galvanised steel gives off specific fumes when welded and loses its protection at the welds: plan for touching up with zinc-rich paint or, better, weld before hot-dip galvanising, taking into account the constraints of that process, detailed on the surface treatment page.
Writing a metal fabrication quote request
For a fabricated part, the ideal price request describes the object, its use, the material and thickness, the quantities, the standards requirements, the finish and the delivery. If you are starting from a sketch or an existing part, say so: some workshops agree to draw the manufacturing drawing, as a separate service or included in the quote, and others work with a design office.
Specify what each party is to supply: material, bolts and fixings, accessories, paint, packaging, transport, installation. Differences between two quotes often come from a service included by one and absent from the other. Also state your schedule constraints: a firm deadline limits the quotes but avoids unpleasant surprises.
A detailed Meaflow request is often enough to collect quotes from several fabricators and metalworkers. Those who consider a visit necessary before committing to a price can arrange it with you by messaging. You then keep assumptions, references and lead times in front of you until you choose; the guide on choosing an industrial subcontractor details the criteria to examine. Is your specification ready? Describe your project.
Guides to go further
How to choose an industrial subcontractor: 10 criteria
Skills, capacity, quality, proximity, responsiveness, references, financial strength, communication, price and contract: 10 criteria and a comparison grid.
Writing a manufacturing specification: method and template
What a workshop needs to know to quote and make your part: a method in a few points, a ready-to-copy template and common mistakes to avoid.
Anodising, powder coating, zinc plating: choosing a surface treatment
Anodising, powder paint, zinc, passivation, nickel, chrome: the strengths and limits of each treatment, their effect on dimensions and how to specify it in a request.
Related expertise
Sheet metalwork & cutting
Laser, plasma and waterjet cutting, bending
Surface treatment
Painting, powder coating, anodising, galvanising
Mechanics & assembly
Assembly, integration, machine maintenance
Design office & CAD
Design, drawings, 3D modelling, calculations
Frequently asked questions
A question not answered here? Visit the help centre or write to us.
How much does a custom fabricated part cost?
The price depends on labour time, material, the size of the part, the weld quality level, the inspections requested and the finishes. As every job is different, there is no reliable price per kilo. A dimensioned drawing and a description of the use allow workshops to quote precisely, and you to compare their quotes.
What is the difference between TIG and MIG welding?
TIG uses a non-consumable electrode and a separate filler metal: it is slow but very clean, ideal for stainless steel, aluminium and thin sheet. MIG feeds a continuous wire and welds faster, mainly on steel and medium thicknesses. The choice depends on the material, the thickness and the appearance expected.
Can a workshop repair a welded or broken part?
Yes, weld repair is among the common requests, provided the material can be identified. Cast iron, treated steel or hardened aluminium require precautions and preheating. Photograph the part, state the material if you know it, the cause of the break and the lead time you want: the workshop can then say whether the repair is reasonable.
Do I need an EN 1090 certified workshop?
If your work is a steel or aluminium structure for construction, the manufacturer must in principle have its production control certified, according to the execution class, in order to apply CE marking. For a simple machine frame or a piece of furniture, it is not necessary. Ask the workshop or your inspection body for advice.
What lead time should I allow for fabrication work?
It all depends on the job: a repair or a simple part is sometimes handled in a few days, whereas a complex assembly takes several weeks between material procurement, manufacture, inspection and finishing. Installation and the availability of particular grades can extend it further. State your target date and how flexible it is.
Can the workshop also install the work at my premises?
Many metalwork and fabrication workshops handle installation, while others limit themselves to manufacture. State in the request whether you want delivery only or installation, the site address, access, working height and whether lifting is needed. Installation is quoted separately or included, depending on the workshop’s terms.
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