Top 5 Questions You Should Ask a Sheet Metal Fabricator

Sheet metal fabricators play an essential role in the metalworking industry. They craft parts from raw materials, work with different metals, and provide services such as assembly, finishing, and even 3D modelling.

There are plenty of sheet metal fabricators all over the country. So many that it might be overwhelming for those looking to land the perfect fabricator to work with.

Below are some questions you may want to ask metal fabricators in your endeavour to find the one that can accommodate your needs. 

How Long Have You Been Working in This Industry?

Thanks to the internet, most metal fabrication shops are pretty easy to find. Not only that, but their sites are usually easy to navigate as well, making it possible to look for a fabricator’s portfolio. Their portfolio can show you whether they have been working in this industry for a long time. 

A good rule of thumb is to look for at least five years of experience. If you select a fabricator that’s been in the game for quite some time, it means they are good at what they do, and they produce high-quality work. 

More importantly, you can rest easy because they are knowledgeable about how to deal with a wide range of issues and can offer you professional advice and help.

What Equipment Do You Utilise?

If you want to get a good idea of how a fabricator works, you can’t afford to ignore their machinery. Yes, they have all kinds of equipment, like welders, cutters, and metal presses, but all the equipment doesn’t mean good quality.

You can quickly get an idea of how a shop operates and whether they can do everything you need. You should ask them what kind of machinery they use and how many pieces they have.

Is It Only You, or Do You Have a Team?

The more hands involved in fabricating a piece of sheet metal, the better the final result is. Each person can contribute to the project in their own way, making the product a more well-rounded piece.

With that in mind, you need to look for a sheet metal fabricator with at least one assistant. A team that has more than one person in it can provide you with a wide array of services, and you can rest assured knowing that the fabrication process is in safe hands.

Lt will also help to ask if every fabricator on board has the necessary certification and credentials to guarantee good work. 

Do You Offer Engineering Services?

Not all metal fabricators offer the same services.

If you want to get a high-quality product, you should ask your sheet metal fabricator if they can offer any engineering services, like 3D modelling, 3D visualisation, and dimensional analysis. These solutions can help you make the right decisions about a design.

Not only that, but a fabricator who employs engineers will have a better knowledge of their trade and can offer you professional advice.

Can You Provide Finished Products?

If you want to get a high-quality product, it’s better to ask a fabricator who can offer you finished goods instead of only raw materials.

Many fabrication shops will provide you with a finished or an assembled part. If you want to get the best results, you should ask them if they can deliver finished goods for you. Also, determine if they do the finishing themselves or if they outsource for this specific service.

Metal fabricators who do the finishing themselves may cost higher rates, but the final products will be of higher quality, and you won’t have to spend any time assembling them yourself.

Conclusion

Remember, you should always try to find a metal fabricator who is good at what they do. Their portfolio might be an eye-opening experience, and their machinery will tell you a lot about how they work.

You can ask them all these questions before you decide to work with them. If you do, you will rest easy knowing you have chosen the right metal fabricator to help you get the job done.

If you require sheet metal fabrication in Perth, check out CSM Fabrication Welding. We offer some of the best metal fabrication services and work with different steel types, including aluminium, steel, and stainless steel. Contact us today!

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