Elite Tool & Design, Inc can provide welding services using our Miller welder with MIG, TIG, and stick welding capabilities.

Welding however is something of an exception. Gas metal arc welding (GMAW) is as effective on thick plate as on thin sheet, although there are some differences. Plate welds need more attention to preparation, but at the same time, there’s not the same concern about putting too much heat into the weld. One welding technique not used in heavy metal fabrication however is resistance welding. It would just need too much energy and take too long for it to be a viable joining process.

A second aspect of welding to mention is inspection. Welds in heavy metal fabrications are often subjected to high loads. As a safeguard against failure it may be necessary to inspect welded joints, perhaps with eddy current/mag particle or ultrasound.

TIG or Tungsten Inert Gas Welding

TIG welding is applied in all industrial sectors but is especially suitable for high-quality welding. In manual welding, the relatively small arc is ideal for thin sheet material or controlled penetration (in the root run of pipe welds). 

Originally created by the aircraft industry to weld magnesium and aluminum, one of TIG Welding’s greatest advantages is the amount of control it allows. A welder can control heat and amperage with precision using a foot or thumb remote control switch. The TIG welder is thin, which adds to the control a welder with excellent dexterity can have over the process. As a result, TIG welding is good for projects where detailed designs or curves are required on the base metal.