TIG & MIG Welding Services
A weld that's wrong for the job shows up later, not on the shop floor, but out in the field when a joint cracks under vibration or a thin panel warps from too much heat. Valley Nut & Bolt provides WABO-certified TIG and MIG welding services from our Olympia shop, serving fabricators, contractors, and OEMs throughout the I-5 corridor. We run both processes in-house, so your job doesn't wait on a subcontractor, and we match the process to the material and the application rather than defaulting to whatever's fastest.
One Shop. Both Processes. No Guesswork.
Tell us what you're building and we'll match the process to the material, not the other way around. Request a quote and get a straight answer on TIG, MIG, or both.
WABO-Certified TIG and MIG Welding, In-House
Our welders hold WABO certification, the Washington Association of Building Officials standard required for structural and pressure-critical welds in this state. That certification matters most on the jobs where a weld failure isn't an inconvenience, it's a safety issue: structural steel, load-bearing brackets, anchoring systems, and custom fastener assemblies. Because welding happens in the same shop as our fastener manufacturing and machining, a part can move from cutting to welding to galvanizing without leaving our building, which keeps your timeline in our hands instead of a subcontractor's.
MIG Welding vs. TIG Welding: Which Does Your Project Need?
Both processes join metal with an electric arc, but they solve different problems, and most fabrication jobs use both. We'll help you decide, or run whichever combination your print calls for.
MIG welding uses a continuously fed wire electrode, which makes it faster and better suited to thicker materials and longer production runs. We use MIG for:
- Structural steel frames and brackets
- Long welds on thicker plate and tube
- Higher-volume runs where consistent speed matters
- Jobs where strength matters more than a polished appearance
TIG welding uses a non-consumable tungsten electrode with a separate filler rod, giving the welder more control at the cost of speed. We use TIG for:
- Thin-gauge stainless and aluminum, where MIG risks burn-through or warping
- Precision joints on custom fasteners and small components
- Welds where appearance matters, exposed joints, architectural work, finished assemblies
- Materials prone to warping under high heat input
If you're not sure which process your part needs, send us a print or a photo. We'll tell you straight, and quote it accordingly.
Materials & Applications We Weld
Materials:
- Carbon steel
- Stainless steel
- Aluminum
Common applications:
- Custom fastener assemblies (welded plates, studs, brackets)
- Structural steel connections and reinforcements
- Anchor bolt assemblies and base plates
- Repair and modification work on existing steel structures
- Custom brackets, clevises, and fabricated hardware
- Attachments welded directly to U-bolts, eye bolts, and other custom fasteners
Why Local Fabricators Choose Valley Nut & Bolt for Welding
We've operated out of Olympia since 1969, and welding is one piece of an integrated shop, not a service we farm out. That means the same team cutting, threading, and forming your parts is welding them, so there's one point of contact and one schedule to track instead of coordinating between your fabricator and a separate weld shop. Every weld is backed by WABO certification, and every job is traceable back to our facility.
What's the difference between TIG and MIG welding?
MIG welding uses a continuously fed wire electrode and works faster, making it well suited to thicker materials and longer welds. TIG welding uses a non-consumable tungsten electrode and a separate filler rod, giving the welder more precise control. TIG is generally the better choice for thin materials and welds where appearance matters, while MIG is the better choice for speed and thicker structural material.
Can one part need both TIG and MIG welding?
Yes, and it's common. A single fabricated assembly might use MIG for structural, load-bearing joints on thicker material and TIG for precision or cosmetic welds on thinner sections of the same part. We run both processes in-house, so a job doesn't have to move between shops to get the right weld on each joint.
What is WABO certification, and why does it matter?
WABO stands for the Washington Association of Building Officials. WABO-certified welders have passed testing to a recognized structural welding standard, which is often required for structural steel, pressure-critical, or safety-related welds in Washington State. Our welders hold this certification, so structural and load-bearing work meets the standard your project or building official requires.
Do you weld stainless steel and aluminum, or only carbon steel?
We weld carbon steel, stainless steel, and aluminum. Material choice affects which process we recommend. Stainless and aluminum are often better suited to TIG, particularly on thinner gauges, while carbon steel structural work is frequently welded with MIG.
What area do you serve for welding services?
Our welding services are based out of our Olympia, WA shop, and we serve customers throughout the I-5 corridor, from Bellingham down to Vancouver, WA. If you're outside that range, call us and we can discuss options.
Can you weld attachments directly onto custom fasteners like U-bolts or eye bolts?
Yes. We regularly weld plates, brackets, and supports directly onto custom fasteners as part of our fabrication work, tailoring the attachment to your assembly's requirements rather than treating welding as a separate add-on service.
Do I need to know which welding process I need before requesting a quote?
No. Send us your print, drawing, or even a photo of the part, and we'll recommend the right process, or combination of processes, based on the material, thickness, and application, then quote it for you.
Ask Our Team
Give us a call or fill out the form and one of our team members will be in touch as soon as possible to answer your questions.
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360-754-4877
