Professional Certified Welding Services
A weld is only as good as the welder who makes it. At Alpha Rigging & Fabrication, our welding staff holds current AWS certifications demonstrating qualification in the processes, positions, and materials relevant to your work. We don't assign uncertified welders to structural connections, pressure-sensitive repairs, or code-governed work — every weld is made by a qualified professional following documented procedures.
Our welding services span both our Chehalis fabrication shop and on-site work throughout Washington State. Whether you need structural connections on a construction project, a cracked equipment frame repaired in place, sanitary stainless fabrication for a food processing plant, or emergency welding response at 2 AM when production is down, Alpha Rigging & Fabrication has the certified welders, the right equipment, and the experience to get it done right the first time.
Why Welder Certification Matters
AWS welder certification is not a formality — it is documented proof that a welder has demonstrated ability to produce sound welds in a specific process, position, and material combination under controlled test conditions. Structural welding codes (AWS D1.1) and pressure welding codes (ASME Section IX) require certified welders precisely because weld quality is invisible to the naked eye. An uncertified welder may produce welds that look acceptable but contain internal porosity, lack of fusion, or hydrogen cracking that will fail under load or over time. Certification is your assurance that skill has been demonstrated, not just claimed.
Welding Processes We Offer
Different applications require different welding processes. Our certified welders are qualified in all major arc welding processes used in industrial and structural applications:
MIG Welding (GMAW)
Gas Metal Arc Welding — the production workhorse. Fast, consistent, and strong for carbon steel structural and fabrication work. Semi-automatic process for high deposition rates.
TIG Welding (GTAW)
Gas Tungsten Arc Welding — precision welding for stainless steel, aluminum, and applications demanding the highest weld quality and appearance. Manual process with full parameter control.
Stick Welding (SMAW)
Shielded Metal Arc Welding — the most versatile process for field work. Works in wind, outdoors, in confined spaces, and on contaminated base metal where wire processes struggle.
Flux Core (FCAW)
Flux Cored Arc Welding — high-deposition process for heavy structural weldments requiring maximum productivity on thick steel sections.
Oxy-Fuel Welding
For specialty applications, thin sheet metal, and field repair situations where electrical power is unavailable or impractical.
Plasma Arc Cutting
Precision thermal cutting for plate steel, stainless, and aluminum — integrated with our fab shop production and available for on-site cutting operations.
Materials We Weld
Different metals demand different welding techniques, filler materials, preheat requirements, and post-weld treatment. Our certified welders have demonstrated qualification across the materials most commonly found in Washington's industrial sector:
Carbon Steel & Structural Steel
Mild carbon steel (A36, A572) and structural shapes are the backbone of industrial construction and fabrication. Our structural steel welding services include fillet welds for connections and fabrication, complete joint penetration (CJP) welds for full-strength splices, partial joint penetration (PJP) welds for designed structural connections, groove welds in all positions per AWS D1.1, and plug and slot welds for deck and diaphragm connections. We weld structural shapes, plate, pipe, and tube in all positions — flat, horizontal, vertical, and overhead.
Stainless Steel
Stainless steel requires careful technique to avoid contamination, sensitization, and distortion. Our stainless welding capabilities include 304 and 316 austenitic stainless for food, pharmaceutical, and chemical applications, sanitary-profile welds for food-contact surfaces requiring smooth, crevice-free joints, structural stainless welding per AWS D1.6, duplex stainless for demanding corrosion environments, and careful interpass temperature control to prevent sensitization and maintain corrosion resistance. We maintain dedicated stainless steel tooling to prevent carbon steel contamination.
Aluminum
Aluminum welding requires specialized equipment, technique, and filler selection. Our aluminum welding services cover 6061, 6063, and 5052 aluminum for structural and architectural applications, 5083 and 5086 marine-grade aluminum for boat and marine structure work, MIG (GMAW) on aluminum using dedicated aluminum wire feeders and guns, TIG (GTAW) on aluminum for precision joints and thin-wall applications, and pre-weld cleaning and shielding gas control to prevent porosity and oxide inclusions.
High-Strength & Low-Alloy Steels
A514, A572 Grade 65, and other high-strength steels require specific preheat, filler selection, and hydrogen control to prevent cold cracking. Our welders understand the elevated requirements for high-strength steels and follow documented procedures that address preheat, interpass temperature limits, low-hydrogen filler metals, and post-weld requirements.
Welding Applications & Services
Structural Welding
Structural welding connects the steel components that hold buildings, bridges, equipment, and industrial structures together. Our structural welding services cover beam-to-column connections for building construction, moment frame welding requiring full-penetration joints, base plate and anchor bolt connections, cross-bracing and lateral force system connections, welded steel truss fabrication, and structural repair and reinforcement of existing structures. All structural welding is performed per AWS D1.1 Structural Welding Code by qualified welders using approved welding procedure specifications (WPS).
Pipe Welding
Pipe welding is among the most demanding welding skills — welding in all positions simultaneously as the joint progresses around a pipe circumference requires extensive training and certification. Our pipe welding capabilities include carbon steel pipe in 2G, 5G, and 6G positions, stainless steel pipe for process piping and sanitary systems, ASME B31.3 process piping compliance for industrial process systems, structural pipe and hollow structural section (HSS) connections, and large-diameter pipe for water, wastewater, and industrial service. Pipe welding for pressure systems is supported by full WPS/PQR documentation and radiographic or ultrasonic testing when specified.
Equipment Repair & Maintenance Welding
Industrial equipment breaks. Frames crack. Buckets wear through. Shafts break at inopportune times. Our equipment repair welding capabilities address cracked machinery frames and housings, worn bucket lips, cutting edges, and wear surfaces on construction and mining equipment, broken structural components on cranes, forklifts, and material handling equipment, failed welds on trailers, flatbeds, and transport equipment, and worn conveyor components, chutes, and hoppers. We weld in our shop or come to your equipment — wherever it is, whatever condition it's in.
Emergency Welding Repairs
Equipment failure doesn't keep business hours. A cracked frame on your production press at midnight costs more per hour in downtime than the repair itself. Our 24/6 emergency welding response means a certified welder with field equipment can be dispatched around the clock when your operation depends on it. We respond to emergency calls throughout Washington State — contact our 24/6 emergency line when you need immediate welding assistance and cannot wait until morning.
On-Site Welding Services
Many welding needs can't come to the shop. Structures too large to transport, equipment installed in operational facilities, field connections on construction projects, and repair work on operating machinery all require welders who come to the work. Our field welding teams are equipped with:
- Engine-driven welder/generators capable of all processes without external power
- Portable wire feeders for MIG and flux core production welding in the field
- TIG welding equipment for stainless and aluminum field work
- Preheat equipment — propane torches and electric resistance blankets for heat-sensitive materials
- Confined space entry equipment for welding in vessels, tanks, and restricted access areas
- Fall protection equipment for elevated work on structures and equipment
- Portable ventilation for welding in enclosed environments
Shop Welding Services
Our Chehalis fabrication shop provides a controlled environment for welding work that benefits from shop conditions: stable positioning with fixtures and positioners, overhead cranes for part manipulation, ready access to all consumables and equipment, and quality inspection resources in-house. Shop welding is generally faster and more cost-effective than equivalent field work. For components that can be brought to us, our shop environment consistently produces better, faster results than field work under adverse conditions.
Welding Quality & Documentation
Welding Procedure Specifications (WPS)
A Welding Procedure Specification documents the specific parameters — process, filler metal, preheat, interpass temperature, heat input, shielding gas, and more — that have been demonstrated to produce welds meeting applicable code requirements. We maintain qualified WPS documents for our most common process/material/position combinations, and we develop project-specific WPS documents when required by contract or code. WPS documents are available to clients for review on request.
Procedure Qualification Records (PQR)
A PQR is the documented test record that qualifies a WPS. It records the actual parameters used during test welds and the mechanical test results (tensile, bend, Charpy impact) that confirmed the procedure produces acceptable welds. Our PQR records are maintained on file and available for review. For specialized applications or unusual material combinations, we can develop and qualify new procedures.
Welder Qualification Records (WQR)
Each AWS-certified welder maintains a Welder Qualification Record documenting their certification tests, the processes and positions they are qualified in, and the expiration of their qualifications. Certifications are maintained current through our in-house qualification testing program. On request, we can provide WQR documentation confirming that specific welders assigned to your project hold appropriate certifications for the work.
Non-Destructive Testing (NDT)
Some applications require more than visual inspection to verify weld quality. We coordinate NDT services including visual testing (VT) performed by our trained inspectors, magnetic particle testing (MT) for surface and near-surface crack detection in ferromagnetic materials, liquid penetrant testing (PT) for surface crack detection in any metal, and coordination with third-party UT (ultrasonic testing) and RT (radiographic testing) providers for volumetric examination of critical welds. NDT reports and test records are provided as part of the project documentation package.
Our Welding Process
Step 1: Pre-Weld Planning & Procedure Selection
Before striking an arc, we assess the job: base metal identification and grade verification, joint configuration and access conditions, applicable code requirements (AWS D1.1, D1.6, ASME B31.3, or other), preheat requirements based on material chemistry and thickness, filler metal selection matched to base metal properties and service conditions, and QC requirements. This planning ensures we apply the right procedure to the job rather than defaulting to one-size-fits-all welding practices.
Step 2: Joint Preparation
Weld quality starts before the first arc is struck. Proper joint preparation includes cleaning base metal to remove mill scale, rust, paint, oil, and contaminants in the weld area, grinding joint faces to the specified profile (bevel angle, root face, root opening), fitting up mating pieces to the required root opening and alignment, preheating when required by the WPS (carbon steel over 1" thick and high-strength steels typically require preheat), and verifying fit-up against drawing dimensions before welding begins. Skipping joint preparation is the most common cause of weld defects.
Step 3: Welding Execution
Certified welders execute the weld following the qualified WPS: maintaining specified travel speed, amperage, voltage, and wire feed speed, controlling interpass temperature (measuring between passes with contact pyrometers), depositing root pass with appropriate parameters for full penetration, filling and capping passes with consistent bead placement and profile, and performing inter-pass cleaning to remove slag, spatter, and oxides between passes. Technique variations — whip, weave, stringer — are selected based on position and joint requirements.
Step 4: Visual Inspection
After welding, every completed weld receives a visual inspection per AWS D1.1 Table 6.1 criteria. We check for acceptable weld profile and size (ensuring specified throat and leg dimensions are achieved), surface porosity (excessive gas pockets indicate shielding gas or contamination problems), undercut (groove melted into base metal adjacent to weld toe, which creates stress concentration), overlap (weld metal rolled over without fusing to base metal), and crater cracks (unfilled crater at weld termination that can propagate). Welds not meeting visual criteria are repaired before project completion.
Step 5: Documentation & Records
Completed welding is documented per project requirements: weld maps identifying each weld, the welder who made it, and the WPS followed, welder log recording all welders, processes, and dates for traceability, inspection records noting visual inspection results and any repairs, and NDT reports if non-destructive testing was performed. Documentation packages are provided to clients who require them for regulatory compliance, quality management systems, or project records. We maintain our weld records for a minimum of five years.
Industries We Serve with Certified Welding
Construction & Steel Erection
Commercial and industrial construction throughout Washington requires certified structural welders for moment connections and other engineered weld connections, column splices and base plate connections, welded wire rope and plate bracing connections, decorative structural steel with finish weld requirements, and welded reinforcement of existing structures for renovation and seismic upgrade projects. We work alongside iron workers and erectors to keep steel frame erection on schedule.
Manufacturing & Industrial Facilities
Manufacturing plants and industrial facilities require ongoing welding support for new equipment installation, process piping and utility connections, equipment repair and maintenance, fabrication of custom jigs, fixtures, and tooling, and structural maintenance and reinforcement. Many manufacturers maintain ongoing service agreements with us for responsive welding support without the overhead of maintaining in-house certified welders.
Pulp & Paper and Timber Industries
Washington's forest products industry operates in demanding environments that are hard on equipment and structures. Our mill welding services address conveyor and material handling equipment repair, pressure vessel and tank repair (coordinated with inspection authorities), structural repair and reinforcement in steam and chemical environments, emergency breakdown repair to minimize production downtime, and routine maintenance welding during planned outages. We have experience navigating the permit and safety procedures required for hot work in process plant environments.
Agriculture & Food Processing
Food processing facilities require welding expertise beyond structural capability — sanitary weld profiles, cross-contamination prevention, and FDA/USDA-compliant practices. Our food industry welding services include stainless steel TIG welding for food-contact surfaces with smooth, crevice-free profiles, tank and vessel fabrication and repair in dairy, beverage, and food processing applications, conveyor and processing equipment maintenance and repair, and certification and documentation appropriate for food safety audits.
Oil, Gas & Chemical Processing
Process industry welding requires attention to code compliance, material compatibility, and documentation that exceeds standard structural welding practice. We provide ASME B31.3 process piping welding, pressure vessel repair coordinated with appropriate inspection authorities, alloy piping in chromium-molybdenum and stainless steel, equipment skid and structural welding, and complete WPS/PQR/WQR documentation for regulated applications.
Marine & Waterway Infrastructure
Washington's extensive Puget Sound shoreline, rivers, and lake systems host marine structures, docks, and waterway infrastructure requiring periodic welding maintenance. We provide aluminum welding for boat structures and marine hardware, structural steel repair for docks, piers, and mooring structures, underwater-adjacent welding for tidal zone structures, and stainless welding for marine hardware with saltwater exposure.
Safety in Welding Operations
Welding involves heat, light, fumes, electricity, and compressed gases — a combination of hazards requiring disciplined safety practice. Alpha Rigging & Fabrication maintains strict welding safety standards:
- Respiratory Protection: Welding fume monitoring and supplied-air or filtered respirators appropriate to base metal and process — stainless and high-alloy welding generates hexavalent chromium requiring enhanced controls
- Eye Protection: Shade 10-13 filter lenses appropriate to amperage, with full face shields for grinding and chipping operations
- Hot Work Permits: Formal hot work permit process for welding in facilities and environments with fire risk — including fire watch during and after welding
- Confined Space Procedures: Atmospheric testing, ventilation, and rescue procedures for welding in vessels, tanks, and confined spaces
- Electrical Safety: Proper grounding, insulated electrode holders, and equipment inspection to prevent electric shock hazards
- Compressed Gas Handling: Proper cylinder storage, handling, and regulator maintenance for shielding and fuel gas safety
Emergency Welding: Available 24/6
Production downtime is expensive. When a critical weld fails at 3 AM on a Monday, waiting until Tuesday morning is not always an option. Alpha Rigging & Fabrication maintains 24/6 emergency welding response for Washington State industrial customers. Our emergency welding capability includes:
- Certified welders available for emergency dispatch around the clock, six days a week
- Fully equipped field welding trucks — no delay gathering equipment after the call comes in
- Rapid mobilization to facilities throughout Washington State — we keep track of where our crews are at all times
- Experience diagnosing failures under pressure — we identify the cause of the failure, not just patch the visible crack
- Temporary repair capability to restore operation while permanent repairs are planned
- Root cause analysis and documentation to prevent recurrence
Our emergency line is staffed 24/6. When you call (509) 555-0911, you reach a person, not voicemail. We will have a crew moving toward your facility within minutes of confirming the dispatch.
Pricing & Scheduling
Welding Service Pricing Factors
- Process required (TIG typically commands higher rates than MIG or Stick due to skill and speed differential)
- Material (stainless and aluminum welding typically higher than carbon steel)
- Documentation requirements (basic vs. full WPS/PQR/WQR package)
- NDT requirements (visual only vs. MT, PT, UT, or RT)
- Location (shop rate vs. field rate vs. travel time for distant sites)
- Access difficulty (confined space, elevated work, awkward positions add time)
- Timeline (standard scheduling vs. emergency/after-hours rates)
Scheduling
- Routine shop welding: Schedule 1-5 business days ahead depending on current shop loading
- Planned field work: Schedule 3-7 days ahead for crew and equipment coordination
- Emergency welding: 24/6 dispatch — call (509) 555-0911 for immediate response
- Ongoing maintenance contracts: Reserved capacity agreements available for facilities with regular welding needs
Frequently Asked Questions: Certified Welding Services
A: AWS (American Welding Society) welder certification means a welder has passed a hands-on performance qualification test producing welds that were mechanically tested (bend tests and/or radiographic examination) and found to meet AWS standards. Certification is process-specific (MIG, TIG, Stick), position-specific (flat, horizontal, vertical, overhead), and material-specific. A welder certified for flat-position carbon steel MIG welding is not automatically qualified to weld overhead or to weld stainless. Each combination requires its own qualification test. Our welders hold certifications applicable to the work they perform.
A: Structural steel welding on construction projects governed by a building permit typically requires AWS D1.1-qualified welders and procedures. Process piping welding typically requires ASME B31.3-qualified personnel. Any welding specified to a code (AWS, ASME, API) requires qualified welders and procedures per that code. If you're uncertain, we can review your project requirements and advise whether certification is required. We err toward using certified procedures and welders on any structural or pressure-related application regardless of whether the contract explicitly requires it.
A: Yes, with proper planning and precautions. Hot work in operating facilities requires a hot work permit, fire watch, and hazard assessment. We coordinate with your safety department, follow your facility's hot work procedures, establish appropriate exclusion zones, and verify that adjacent processes and materials are protected. Many of our repair and maintenance welding projects are completed in operating plants during production — we understand how to work safely around active operations.
A: A structural weld is a load-carrying connection that must meet specific mechanical and dimensional requirements for strength, ductility, and toughness. It must be made to a qualified procedure, by a qualified welder, and inspected per the applicable code. A cosmetic weld (like a decorative railing cap or architectural feature) has appearance requirements but doesn't carry calculated structural loads and may not be subject to code requirements. We approach structural welds with the rigor of code compliance and approach cosmetic welds with attention to appearance — both require skill, but different aspects are prioritized.
A: Yes, with proper root cause analysis first. Cracks in structural steel are symptoms — simply welding over a crack without understanding why it cracked will likely result in recurrence. We assess the source of the failure: fatigue from cyclic loading, overload, weld defects in the original weld, design inadequacy, or impact damage. Then we develop a repair plan that addresses the cause, not just the crack. Structural repairs may require engineering review when the member is load-critical. We can coordinate engineering support for repair design on critical structural elements.
A: We provide welding for pressure-rated piping and some pressure equipment with appropriate documentation. Pressure vessel and boiler repair and construction in Washington State is subject to WISHA regulations and typically requires third-party inspection by an ASME-authorized inspection agency. We coordinate with inspection authorities and can provide the welding and documentation required for code-compliant pressure equipment work. Contact us with your specific application and we will advise on the applicable requirements and our capability to meet them.
A: Stainless steel contamination with iron particles causes surface rust and can compromise corrosion resistance. We maintain dedicated stainless steel tooling: stainless wire brushes (not carbon steel), dedicated grinding wheels not used on carbon steel, stainless filler wire in segregated storage, and separate clamps and fixtures. We clean weld areas with stainless-compatible solvents before welding. For food-grade applications, we follow additional procedures to ensure no oil or lubricant contamination enters the weld area. After welding, we can passivate welds with citric or nitric acid treatment to restore and enhance the passive layer.
A: Cast iron welding is challenging — cast iron is high in carbon and silicon, making it prone to cracking during welding. We can weld cast iron using specialized techniques: nickel-based filler metals that accommodate the high carbon content, slow preheat (typically 500-700°F) and slow controlled cooling to minimize thermal gradient, and short weld sequences with peening to relieve stress. Cast iron repair is often practical for valuable components like machine bases, pump housings, and tooling, where replacement is expensive or impractical. Success depends on the grade of cast iron, the location and nature of the defect, and the application's stress conditions.
A: A properly designed and executed welded repair should last as long as the original component — often longer, because the repair is made with modern filler metals, procedures, and quality controls that may exceed what was used in original fabrication. The key variable is understanding why the failure occurred. If a fatigue crack is repaired without addressing the loading condition that caused fatigue, the repair will fail again. If a crack resulted from a weld defect in the original fabrication, a properly made repair with no defects should be permanent. We provide honest assessments of expected repair longevity based on the failure mechanism and repair approach.
A: Yes. We can provide visual weld inspection services per AWS D1.1 criteria for third-party oversight of welding performed by others. We can also coordinate certified weld inspectors (CWI) for projects requiring an independent certified inspection. If you have in-house welders performing structural or code work and need qualified inspection, contact us to discuss third-party inspection services.
Service Areas: Certified Welding Across Washington
Alpha Rigging & Fabrication provides certified welding services throughout Washington State from our Chehalis shop and via our field welding crews, including:
- Seattle
- Tacoma
- Spokane
- Bellevue
- Everett
- Vancouver
- Yakima
- Bellingham
- Olympia
- Renton
- Kent
- Federal Way
- Auburn
- Pasco
- Richland
- Kennewick
- Redmond
- Kirkland
- Sammamish
- Bothell
- Shoreline
- Burien
- Tukwila
- SeaTac
Our field welding crews travel statewide. Emergency welding response is available throughout Washington State 24 hours a day, six days a week.
Need Certified Welding Services?
Contact Alpha Rigging & Fabrication for professional certified welding — shop or on-site, structural or specialty, routine or emergency. Our AWS-certified welders are ready to put quality welds on your project with full documentation and accountability.
Call (509) 555-0100 Request Free Quote