Aluminum Welding in West-Central Minnesota
Aluminum takes a different touch than steel — and not every shop will run a bead on it. Johnson Metal Works has the equipment and the hands-on experience to weld aluminum right, whether it's a cracked dock leg on Norway Lake or a torn pontoon transom. Clean, strong, leak-tight welds, on-site or in the shop.
Why aluminum is its own job
Aluminum is unforgiving — experience makes the difference
Ask around and you'll find plenty of welders who happily run steel all day but go quiet the moment you mention aluminum. There's a reason for that. Aluminum conducts heat fast, it doesn't change color before it melts, and it forms a tough oxide skin that has to be cleaned and managed or the weld won't hold. Get the heat or the technique wrong and you end up with a porous, weak bead that cracks the next time the wind picks up on the lake.
That's where our shop earns its keep. We understand how the different aluminum grades behave, how to prep and clean the joint, and how to dial in heat so the weld penetrates without blowing through thin dock tube or boat hull. The result is a repair that looks clean and, more importantly, actually carries the load year after year. When you're trusting a weld to hold a boat lift over deep water, that matters.
From the lakes around Spicer and New London to the trailers and tanks on farms near Brooten and Belgrade, aluminum shows up all over west-central Minnesota. We're glad to be the local shop that says yes when others won't.
TIG & MIG aluminum
The right process for the part
Aluminum can be welded with TIG or MIG, and choosing well is half the battle. We run both, so the process fits the part instead of forcing the part to fit the process.
TIG aluminum gives us precise, tidy control for thinner material and visible repairs — pontoon rails, boat hulls, brackets, and anything where a clean, controlled bead counts. It's slower, but it's the right call when precision and appearance matter.
MIG aluminum with a spool gun lays down strong welds faster on heavier stock — dock frames, lift legs, trailer rails, and bigger fabrication work. It's efficient where you need build and speed.
Either way, the joint gets cleaned and prepped properly first. That prep is the part most failed aluminum welds skipped, and it's the part we never do.
Common aluminum work
What we get called for
If it's aluminum and it's broken, bent, or needs to be built, there's a good chance we've handled one like it. A few of the jobs that come through the door most.
Docks & boat lifts
Cracked legs, snapped welds, bent frames, and worn-out cradles. Lake hardware takes a beating from ice and wind, and aluminum repairs keep it on the water instead of in the scrap pile. See our dock & boat lift repair page for the full rundown.
Boats & pontoons
Hull cracks, leaking seams, torn transoms, and busted pontoon tubes. We make leak-tight welds that hold up to spray and pressure so you're not bailing water on Green Lake or Lake Andrew.
Trailers & ramps
Aluminum trailer rails, cracked tongues, deck framing, and loading ramps. Hauling and rough field approaches stress the joints — we rebuild them stronger than the original.
Tanks & brackets
Aluminum fuel and fluid tanks, tool boxes, mounts, and brackets. Pinhole leaks and stress cracks get cleaned out and re-welded so they seal and stay put.
Farm & shop fixes
Aluminum shows up on equipment guards, ladders, and machinery panels too. We weld them right alongside our steel work — pair it with farm equipment repair when the whole machine needs attention.
Custom aluminum builds
Need a new part rather than a patch? We fabricate aluminum brackets, frames, and one-off pieces from scratch. See custom fabrication for build work.
How it works
Simple, straightforward, no surprises
Tell us what you've got
Call, text, or email a few photos of the aluminum part and the damage. We'll let you know what's involved and give you an honest read on whether it's a repair or a rebuild.
Free estimate
We quote the work up front — no guessing, no runaround. Aluminum prep takes time and we'll be straight with you about it.
Shop or on-site
Small parts come to the shop in Sunburg. For docks, lifts, and gear that's hard to move, our mobile welding rig comes to you at the lake or the farm.
Clean, strong welds
You get the part back welded right, cleaned up, and ready to put back to work — built to last through Minnesota seasons.
Built on the lakes & farms we know
Local aluminum, local knowledge
We're based in Sunburg, right in the middle of lake country. That means a lot of the aluminum we weld comes off docks and lifts on Norway Lake, Green Lake, Nest Lake, and Lake Andrew, and off trailers and tanks at farms from Pennock to Villard. We know how this gear gets used here, how the ice works on it over winter, and what fails first.
From Willmar and Spicer to Glenwood, Paynesville, and Benson, we cover a wide stretch of west-central Minnesota. The drive is no problem — check the full service area to see the towns and counties we reach, or just reach out and we'll tell you straight whether we can get to you.
Questions
Aluminum welding FAQ
Why won't some welders work on aluminum?
Aluminum needs different equipment and a different technique than steel. It pulls heat away fast, doesn't glow before it melts, and carries an oxide layer that has to be managed. Without the right setup and experience it's easy to get a weak, porous weld — so a lot of shops simply pass on it. We don't.
Can you fix a leaking aluminum boat or pontoon?
Usually, yes. Cracked hulls, leaking seams, and torn transoms are common aluminum repairs for us. We clean out the bad area and lay in a leak-tight weld. Send a photo and we'll tell you what's realistic before you haul it in.
Do you repair aluminum docks and boat lifts on-site?
We do. Docks and lifts are awkward to move, so our mobile rig comes to the lake. Learn more on our dock & boat lift repair and mobile welding pages.
TIG or MIG — which will you use on my part?
It depends on the part. We use TIG for thinner, more visible work where control and appearance matter, and MIG with a spool gun for heavier stock and bigger frames. Since we run both, we pick whichever gives you the strongest, cleanest result.
How much does aluminum welding cost?
It depends on the part, the damage, and the prep involved — aluminum always takes more cleanup time than steel. We give a free estimate up front so there are no surprises. Get in touch with photos for a quote.
Got aluminum that needs welding?
Free estimates on every job — call or text and we'll get you a straight answer fast.