As one of the leading welding companies in Fairbanks, the Alaska Tool Company is no stranger to questions about this industrious trade. Owner Pete Trottier prides his company on one concept in particular: the ability to fix products instead of simply replacing them. These experts perform custom metal work inside their industrial machine shop and are capable of producing just about any part. They’re here to answer some of the more commonly asked questions about their line of work.

The Basics of Welding

1. What Is Welding?

The practice of welding involves using heat from a blowtorch or other tool to first melt separate metal parts before adjoining them. This is a fine art form that plays a major role in the modern world, as many products are dependent on welding during manufacturing, from kitchen appliances to vehicles to buildings. There is nothing too small or too large for welding.

2. Are There Different Methods?

There are over 30 types of welding methods. Some are as simple as using a flame, while others involve complexities such as laser beams. Skilled welders typically rely on four particular types: Shielded metal arc welding, which is ideal to use on stubborn, rusty metals and often employed in the construction field; flux-cored arc welding, a method that effectively melts thick materials; gas metal arc welding, which is used often in auto shops; and gas tungsten arc welding, an exceptional process often used in aircraft parts fabrication and other types of transportation equipment.

3. How Can You Become a Welder?

If you’re interested in working in a machine shop, a career in metal fabrication could be right for you. Professionals can be certified via a national exam after completing a course at a registered school. Their state or municipality can also certify them, and military members may even be pre-certified provided they meet all necessary requirements.

The scope of welders’ work is ever growing, and it’s an industry that will always be necessary to the economy and a thriving society. If your business requires a specific part, the professionals at your neighborhood industrial machine shop can help. Call the Alaska Tool Company at (907) 479-5354 to speak with a representative. You can also visit them on Facebook to learn more about their projects.