Berto's 
Aluminum takes a different skill set
Aluminum is light, strong and corrosion resistant, which is why it shows up on boats, truck racks, ramps and equipment. It's also less forgiving to weld than steel. It pulls heat away from the weld quickly, it has a tough surface oxide that has to be dealt with, and it gives little warning before it melts through. Good aluminum welds come down to preparation, heat control and a steady hand.
TIG welding gives that control. Berto's cleans and preps the joint, sets up for the material thickness, and lays down consistent, even beads that look right and hold.
Preparation makes the weld
Most aluminum weld problems start before the arc is struck. Oil, paint, salt residue and the oxide layer all cause porosity and weak fusion if they're left on the joint. Berto's degreases the area, cleans the oxide back to bright metal with tools kept for aluminum, and fits the joint tight so the weld isn't bridging gaps. On repairs, cracks are traced to their ends and prepared properly so the weld goes all the way through instead of sitting on the surface.
Aluminum jobs we take on
- Marine hatches, hinges, brackets and rails (see marine welding)
- Truck racks, ladder racks and sign racks
- Aluminum frames, stands and carts
- Channels, trays and formed parts with TIG-welded seams
- Roof access hatches and diamond-plate covers
- Cracked or broken aluminum parts that can be repaired instead of replaced
Repairs versus new fabrication
Plenty of aluminum parts can be repaired, but not all of them should be. Material that's been fatigued, corroded thin or badly cracked may need a new piece. Berto's will look at the part, tell you honestly whether it's worth repairing, and build a replacement in the shop if that's the better answer. New aluminum fabrication is covered under custom fabrication.
In the shop or on site
Smaller parts that can come off are usually best in the shop, where the work can be positioned for the cleanest weld. Parts that are bolted to a vessel, a truck or a structure can be welded on site with the mobile rig. Tell us where the part is and send photos, and we'll suggest the best approach.
Booking and rates
Aluminum TIG welding is billed by the hour, and online bookings are made in 1-hour blocks. Pricing is job-dependent. For anything unusual, call 778-918-5581 first and we'll talk it through.
Aluminum welding around the Lower Mainland
Marine and waterfront customers in Richmond, North Vancouver and Vancouver, and trade and fleet customers in Surrey and Burnaby, all bring us aluminum work. See all service areas.