Welding & Fabrication Services | MIG, TIG, Stick

Understanding Welding & Fabrication

When equipment fails or a custom component is needed, downtime costs money. For contractors, farmers, and workshop operators across Auckland and Waikato, having access to skilled fabrication services means the difference between getting back to work quickly and waiting days for parts or repairs.

Wallace Heron provides in-house welding and fabrication services from our Pukekohe workshop. Our qualified fabricators work across MIG, TIG, and stick welding, handling everything from emergency repairs to custom-built frames, brackets, and assemblies. We understand the demands of rural and industrial work—and we build accordingly.

How welding and fabrication works

Welding joins metal components by melting the base materials together, often with a filler rod or wire, to create a permanent bond. Different welding methods suit different applications:

MIG welding (Metal Inert Gas) is versatile and efficient, well-suited to steel and aluminium fabrication. It’s the go-to method for general structural work, frames, and repairs where speed and strength matter.

TIG welding (Tungsten Inert Gas) offers greater precision and cleaner finishes. It’s used where appearance matters or where thinner materials require careful heat control—stainless steel, aluminium, and detailed work.

Stick welding (MMA) is robust and portable, effective on heavier sections and in less-than-ideal conditions. It’s a reliable method for structural repairs and site work.

Fabrication extends beyond welding alone. It includes cutting, shaping, drilling, and assembling metal components into finished structures. A fabrication job might involve taking raw steel, cutting it to size, welding it into a frame, and fitting mounting points—all completed in-house.

Common problems we see

Customers bring a wide range of welding and fabrication jobs through our doors. Some of the most common include:

Cracked or broken frames on machinery, trailers, and equipment. Repeated stress, overloading, or impact damage leads to failures that need proper repair—not just a quick tack weld that won’t hold.

Worn or damaged mounts and brackets. Mounting points take constant load and vibration. When they crack or fatigue, equipment becomes unsafe or unusable until repaired or replaced.

Custom requirements that can’t be bought off the shelf. Whether it’s a non-standard bracket, a modified tow hitch, or a bespoke frame for a specific application, fabrication allows us to build exactly what’s needed.

Failed previous repairs. We regularly see equipment where a previous weld has cracked or broken because it wasn’t done properly. Correct preparation, technique, and materials make repairs that last.

Our welding and fabrication process

When you bring a job to Wallace Heron, we start by assessing what’s required. For repairs, that means inspecting the damage, identifying the cause of failure, and determining the best approach—whether that’s welding, reinforcing, or fabricating a replacement component.

For custom work, we discuss your requirements and can work from drawings, measurements, or simply a conversation about what you need. Our fabricators have the experience to advise on design, materials, and what will actually work in practice.

Once the approach is agreed, we complete the work in our workshop using the appropriate welding method and materials for the job. All welds are checked for quality before the job leaves.

Internal link opportunity: Where welded assemblies require precision-machined components—such as bearing housings, bushes, or accurately bored fittings—our Precision Machining service ensures the finished result meets exact tolerances.

Custom builds and structural fabrication

Beyond repairs, we fabricate custom structures from scratch. This includes trailer frames, equipment mounts, safety guards, handrails, brackets, and purpose-built assemblies for machinery or vehicles.

Custom fabrication is particularly valuable when off-the-shelf solutions don’t fit or don’t exist. If you need a specific bracket to mount equipment, a reinforced frame for heavy loads, or a one-off structure for a unique application, we can design and build it.

We work primarily in steel, with capabilities across mild steel, structural steel, and stainless steel depending on the application.

Internal link opportunity: Where guards, covers, or enclosures are needed as part of a fabrication job, our Sheet Metal Work service handles cutting, folding, and finishing sheet components.

Why quality welding matters

A weld is only as good as the preparation and technique behind it. Poor welds—caused by incorrect settings, contaminated surfaces, or inadequate penetration—fail under stress. In structural and load-bearing applications, weld failure can be dangerous.

Wallace Heron’s fabricators are qualified and experienced across multiple welding methods. We select the right process for each job, prepare materials properly, and build to withstand the demands of real-world use. When we repair something, we expect it to stay repaired.

Bring your welding and fabrication jobs to Wallace Heron

Whether it’s a broken frame that needs urgent repair or a custom build you’ve been planning, Wallace Heron has the skills and equipment to get the job done properly. We work with contractors, farmers, and trades across the region who rely on fabrication that holds up under heavy use.

Internal link opportunity: Where your job requires machined parts to be welded into an assembly—such as shafts, sleeves, or mounting plates—our Precision Machining team can produce components to specification before fabrication.

---

Welding & Fabrication — Frequently Asked Questions

FAQs

Do you offer mobile welding or on-site fabrication? All welding and fabrication work is carried out in-store at Wallace Heron in Pukekohe. We are not a mobile service. Bringing your job into our workshop allows us to work in controlled conditions with full access to equipment, ensuring stronger, cleaner welds and proper quality checks.

What types of welding do you offer? We offer MIG, TIG, and stick welding. The method used depends on the material, application, and finish required. Our fabricators will recommend the best approach for your job.

Can you fabricate custom parts or one-off builds? Yes. Custom fabrication is a core part of what we do. Whether you need a single bracket, a modified frame, or a complete structural assembly, we can build to your specifications.

What materials do you work with? We work primarily with steel—mild steel, structural steel, and stainless steel. If you have a job involving other materials, get in touch and we can discuss your requirements.

How long do repairs or fabrication jobs take? Turnaround depends on the complexity of the job and current workload. Straightforward repairs can often be completed the same day or next day. Custom fabrication may take longer depending on scope. Contact us with details and we’ll give you a realistic timeframe.