As in any trade, there’s a lot of jargon that gets tossed around, and the same is true in welding. So to make it easier for you, we’ve put together some general definitions of welding techniques that are used in our shop:

• Arc welding — Arc welding in general remains a popular welding choice. The process is low cost and utilizes either an AC or DC electrical current to melt and join various metals — even non-conductive metals. 
• MIG welding — As a subtype of arc welding, MIG welding uses a metal inert shielding gas such as argon in the pooling process. This type of welding works best with aluminum and mild steels. 
• TIG welding — In TIG welding, a tungsten inert gas is used to shield the weld area from oxidation during the welding process. While a filler metal can be used, some types of welds (autogenous welds) do not require any type of consumable metal.

These are generally the most common types of welding services customers can expect to receive at our shop. Although, special projects sometimes call for special tools, and we’re always happy to discuss your options. We also have a fully equipped mobile trailer to offer welding services for timely and efficient response to your calls.

Types of Metals We Work with at Our Shop

Before any work begins, some important considerations are made. These typically revolve around the type of metal being welded, its melting point, electrical conductivity, inherent strength, how the metal reacts to forces such as stretching and bending.

• Cast iron — Cast iron is more difficult to weld than many types of low-carbon steel. For one, cast iron often requires preheating to reduce incidences of cracking. Secondly, cast iron has a higher carbon and silicone concentration, making it a challenging alloy to work with. Some welders describe working with cast iron as being somewhat like golf; some days it’s a breeze, other days… not so much. 
• Aluminum — So long as the setup is done correctly, aluminum can be one of the easiest metals to weld. Although, special techniques and extra care are required when joining thin or thick pieces of aluminum. 
• Stainless steel — Steel in itself is an alloy of iron and carbon. To make steel less susceptible to rust and corrosion, a 13-30% mix of chromium and/or nickel alloy may be used. Since temperature variables can change the atomic formation of stainless steel, we employ either MIG or TIG welding when working with this type of metal. 
• Titanium — Titanium and titanium alloys are excellent at resisting corrosion from salt, chlorides, and other contaminants. But titanium has a strong affinity to oxygen and immediately changes to titanium dioxide when exposed to air. Therefore, a shielding gas is essential in welding titanium.

Feel free to get in touch with our team of professionals at Great West welding, and we will be more than happy to help you.

Specialty Welding Services

Over the years, we continued developing our techniques and started implementing more sophisticated metal joining and cutting processes in projects, helping clients get better results. Our wide-ranging specialty services include core welding processes such as MIG, TIG, stick, and flux. No matter what kind of metal you have, you can trust us to weld it efficiently. We work with stainless steel, alloy steel, tool steel, food-grade stainless steel, specialty steel, aluminum, titanium, copper, cast iron, brass, bronze, and more. We are CWB Certified and have two on-site welding service trucks, which makes it easier for us to get to your site quickly and deliver a job!

Turnaround Time

Our typical turnaround times for welding will vary based on the size and type of material of your project. However, our welders honour trademark customer service, meaning they will respect the time and needs of each and every customer.

Personalized Services

What sets us apart is the personalized nature of our welding services in Abbotsford We never force our approach on you, but carefully assess your demands instead. We tailor our welding services according to your budget, project and individual requirements.