By material.
Find providers by the metal they actually work. Each tile filters the directory to shops and rigs that handle that material.
The five we track
- aluminum
Lightweight and heat-conductive. The standard for trailers, marine, tanks, panels, and aerospace prototypes. Aluminum welding is TIG-heavy and requires a clean shop or a sheltered field setup.
Common jobs- • Boat hull and rail repair
- • Trailer fab and repair
- • Tank fabrication
- • Custom panels
Find aluminum welders → - steel
Mild and low-alloy steel — the backbone of structural fab, repair, and ranch work. Most providers handle steel. Stick and MIG are the dominant processes.
Common jobs- • Structural beams and columns
- • Gate, fence, railing fab
- • Trailer and frame repair
- • Industrial brackets
Find steel welders → - stainless
Sanitary, marine, food-grade, architectural. Specialty work that needs a clean TIG setup and (often) AWS D1.6 certification. Higher rates, higher skill, fewer shops handle it.
Common jobs- • Food-grade tanks and skids
- • Brewery and dairy piping
- • Hospital sanitary fab
- • Architectural restaurant fab
Find stainless welders → - cast iron
Engine blocks, vintage equipment, sculpture, manhole covers. Cast iron requires nickel rod, preheat, and patience. Most general shops won't touch it — find a provider who advertises it.
Common jobs- • Engine block repair
- • Antique equipment restoration
- • Sculpture restoration
- • Industrial machinery
Find cast iron welders → - pipe
Schedule 10 through Sch 80. Process piping, handrail, fence post, irrigation, brewery, hospital. Pipe welding is its own discipline with API 1104 and ASME IX certifications for higher-stakes work.
Common jobs- • Process piping (food, brewery, hospital)
- • Pipeline repair
- • Handrail and fence
- • Irrigation
Find pipe welders →
About metal material choices
Why does material matter when picking a welder?
Welding aluminum and stainless requires TIG capability, a clean environment, and (often) certification. Mild steel is the most universal — almost every shop and rig handles it. If you have stainless or cast iron, narrow your search before calling around.
Can a mobile rig weld aluminum on-site?
Some can. A truck-based TIG setup with proper gas and a wind block can handle aluminum field repair — boat hulls and trailers, mostly. For larger aluminum fab work, you'll want a shop.
What's the most common material in this directory?
Mild steel, by a wide margin. Every state has steel-capable providers. Stainless and cast-iron specialists are concentrated in larger metros and industrial corridors.