Welding & Fabrication FAQ
Straight answers to the questions we hear most from farmers, lake owners and shops around Sunburg, Willmar and west-central Minnesota. Don't see yours below? Call or text and we'll talk it through.
Everything you need to know before you call
From how far we travel to which metals we weld, here's how Johnson Metal Works handles the jobs that come through our shop and our mobile rig. For a full breakdown of what we do, see our services, check the towns and counties we cover on the service area page, or jump straight to contact us.
What area do you serve and how far will you travel?
We're based in Sunburg and cover roughly a 25-mile radius across west-central Minnesota, including Willmar, New London, Spicer, Pennock, Atwater, Kandiyohi, Brooten, Belgrade, Paynesville, Glenwood, Starbuck, Villard, Sedan, Benson, Murdock, Kerkhoven and De Graff. That puts us across four counties: Kandiyohi, Swift, Pope and Stearns. If you're a little past that line, give us a call and we'll talk it through.
Do you come to me, or do I bring the work to the shop?
Both. For farm equipment, trailers, big steel and anything bolted down or buried in a field, our mobile welding rig comes to you on the farm, lake or job site. For smaller parts, custom fabrication and detail work, it's often easier and cheaper to bring it to the shop. Not sure which makes sense? Call or text a photo and we'll point you the right direction.
What metals and welding processes do you work with?
We weld steel, stainless, aluminum and cast iron, and we run MIG, TIG and stick depending on the job. Heavy structural steel and field repairs usually call for stick or MIG; aluminum and stainless that needs a clean, strong weld get TIG. The right process is part of doing it once and doing it right, and we'll match the method to your metal and the load it has to carry.
Can you repair an aluminum dock or boat lift on the lake?
Yes. Cracked dock frames, bent boat-lift legs, broken wheels and torn-up canopy supports are some of the most common calls we get around Green Lake, Norway Lake, Nest Lake and the other lakes in the New London and Spicer area. We weld aluminum and steel right at the shoreline so you're not hauling the whole rig to town in the middle of the season.
Do you charge for estimates?
No. Estimates are free. Send us a photo or two with a quick description and we can usually give you a ballpark over the phone or by text. For bigger jobs or custom fabrication, we'll look it over in person and give you a clear price before any work starts, so there are no surprises.
Can you handle emergency farm breakdowns during planting or harvest?
We know that when a planter, header, grain cart or hitch lets go in the middle of the season, every hour costs you. We do our best to get out fast for breakdowns during planting and harvest and weld it back together in the field so you can keep rolling. Call us as soon as it happens and we'll get you in line as quick as we can.
Can you build custom parts from a sketch or print?
Absolutely. Bring us a napkin sketch, a dimensioned print or just the worn-out part you want copied, and we'll fabricate it. We build brackets, frames, gates, racks, trailers, guards and one-off parts you can't buy off the shelf. If you can describe what it needs to do, we can usually figure out how to make it.
How do I get a quote or get on the schedule?
The fastest way is to call or text us at (320) 000-0000, or email hello@johnsonmetalworks.com. A couple of photos and a short description of the problem go a long way, so snap a picture of the break or the part and send it over. We'll give you a free estimate and let you know when we can get to it.
Want more detail on a specific job? Read about our mobile welding, farm equipment repair, dock & boat lift repair, aluminum welding, custom fabrication and structural & repair services.
Still have a question? Let's talk.
Free estimates on every job — call or text and send a photo to get started.