While most people associate welders with fabrication in a shop, welders can advance their careers in a variety of fields like mobile welding. So, what exactly is mobile welding?
What do Mobile Welders do?
A mobile welding business typically consists of a single welder and enough equipment to fill a trailer or small truck. At Fabweld, you get such services from a highly skilled team wherever needed. Mobile welders usually cover a small geographic area, usually centred around a city or a few states. This is in contrast to “travelling” welders, who travel long distances to work on industrial shutdowns or shipbuilding activities for months.
On the other hand, welding rigs or welding trucks with a welding generator on cargo beds are used bylocal mobile welders. Every day, they provide on-site welding services and perform welding services on the client’s premises or in the field. In fact, the majority of mobile welders work outside in a variety of weather conditions. Mobile auto welders work in your community to repair large or otherwise difficult-to-transport metal units and bring all the benefits of a welding shop to the client when it would be difficult, if not impossible, to facilitate the reverse.
Mobile welders offer expertise and convenience as they provide welding services without requiring you to visit their location. When you hire a mobile welder, the work is completed on-site. This is especially useful when working under time constraints. Today, numerous companies provide mobile welding services.
How to know that you’re hiring the right person? Continue reading for some pointers on what to look for in key qualities in the person:
- Qualifications
There are various welding qualifications available, with regulation and enforcement rules in Perth being unclear. Some welding jobs require qualifications and licences, particularly for commercial fabrications. To ensure complete safety procedures are in place, a welder must follow the SafeWork NSW Code of Practice. Here are some qualifications to look for when hiring an onsite welder:
Metal Fabrication License:
- Certificate III in Engineering – Fabrication Trade is an engineering qualification that covers welding processes, metallurgy, and geometrical tolerances for the fabrication of all mild steel (MS) products. It is a prerequisite for skilled workers and is available through vocational training institutes throughout Perth.
- Certificate IV in Engineering (Welding): It is a common qualification is the, which provides the skills and knowledge to weld a variety of ferrous and non-ferrous materials using oxy-acetylene, gas metal arc welding (GMAW), and flux-cored arc welding (FCAW) processes.
AS 1554: The design, manufacture, alteration, and repair of steel structures are covered by AS 1554 metal fabrication and welding. It is an important Australian standard for any structural steel welder. To ensure quality results, AS 1554-2006 includes specific language for steel fabrication work performed in the field. It is more commonly used by fabrication companies than by contractors looking to hire a welder on an as-needed basis.
AS 1796: The welder should have an AS 1796 certification and a track record that demonstrates they understand their craft. As a mobile welding service also demands transport of all necessary equipment to the job site, whether for quick repairs or subcontracting, all mobile service personnel must be skilled in all types of welding materials.
- Welding Methods Used:
Any competent mobile welder should be able to provide MIG and Stick welding services, but the following are the main types of weld methods used in mobile welding.
- Stick Welding: Stick/manual welding employs a flux-covered electrode that creates an arc when it comes into contact with the weld site. It is resistant to rusty metal and harsh conditions, making it ideal for roadside repairs, farms, and construction sites. Our welders have extensive experience with this technique.
- MIG/MAG Welding: MIG/MAG arc welding uses a wire-fed consumable tungsten electrode to create extremely strong joins, even between different types of metal. This technique is preferred for quick repairs as the weld created with this method is protected from atmospheric contamination by inert gas.
- Flux-Coated Welding (FCAW): FCAW welding services, like stick welding, use a flux-coated electrode, but the wire is fed through a gun and into the weld site, making it faster and more accurate.
- TIG Welding: TIG welding is a very precise welding method that creates an electric arc using a non-consumable tungsten electrode. It is easily disturbed in uncontrolled on-site conditions, which can result in poor-quality welds.
- Welding Projects: Some welding projects require specialised knowledge and equipment. Our welding trucks are fully outfitted to handle the following materials:
- Aluminium: Aluminium welding for onsite fabrication and repairs is a common requirement in homes and commercial properties. This can be done using MIG, TIG, and other techniques.
- Mild steel: Welding jobs of this material can include working on car chassis and trailers, farm equipment, frames, and gates made from steel alloys and stainless steel.
- Stainless steel: Welding stainless steel can be more difficult. We can handle a wide range of steel or aluminium welding jobs, large or small, for industry, medical, food, and commercial facilities. Other projects can include work on cars, boats, hot rods, sheet metal, pressure vessels, gates and handrails, fuel tanks, and ladders.
- Cost: The standard fee, which includes one qualified fabricator and travel within Perth’s metropolitan area. It also includes one hour of work during regular business hours. The price includes the mobile welder’s consumables and machines. Extra hours can also be counted, so be aware of it in advance. Due to the additional consumables required for stainless steel and aluminium welding, the cost may be higher. The cost of your job will vary depending on the material, technique, and complexity, but a simple repair usually takes about an hour. Most welders will have a minimum expectation to account for travel time and cost to your location. Once more job details are known, a reliable welder will provide a time and price estimate.
Fabweld is a steel fabrication and welding workshop with the best welders for mobile welding in Perth. Their experts specialise in providing affordable and portable steel supplies for welding, mobile assembling, off-site/ on-site welding, inspection, and supervision. They have built a trusted fabrication company over the years by providing top-notch mobile welding, aluminium welding, and repair services at various worksites in and around the city.
Their team is well-equipped with cutting-edge tools and is ready to work on any project, whether it is a small but urgent repair or a longer-term fabrication. To know more, you can call 0432 236 718 or email them at [email protected]!
