Quick answer: welding is one specific process: joining metal parts by melting them together. Metal fabrication is the whole job of turning raw metal into a finished product: reading drawings, measuring, cutting, bending, machining, welding, assembling and finishing. Welding is usually one step in fabrication, and a fabricator often welds, but a welder doesn’t always fabricate.
Welding vs fabrication at a glance
| Welding | Metal fabrication | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | Joining metal with heat (and sometimes filler) | Building a finished metal product from raw stock |
| Scope | One process | Many processes, of which welding is one |
| Main skills | Running consistent, sound welds in every position | Reading drawings, layout, measuring, cutting, forming, fit-up and welding |
| Typical work | Pipelines, structural steel, repairs, production welds | Frames, railings, trailers, tanks, enclosures, machinery parts |
| Certifications | AWS, ASME or API welding tests | Often a welding certification plus fabrication experience |
| Tools | Welders, grinders, clamps | Saws, shears, brakes, plasma tables, drills, welders, measuring tools |
What does metal fabrication include?
A typical fabrication job follows these steps:
- Design and drawings. Start from a sketch, a blueprint or a 3D CAD model.
- Layout and measuring. Mark out parts on raw stock (plate, sheet, tube or angle).
- Cutting. Use a band saw, cold saw, shear, plasma cutter, oxy-fuel torch, or laser and waterjet for production.
- Forming and bending. Use a press brake, tube bender, roller or hammer.
- Machining. Drill, mill, turn and tap holes or threads.
- Fit-up and welding. Clamp, tack, check for square, then weld. See our guide to welding joints.
- Assembly. Bolt, rivet or fit parts together.
- Finishing. Grind, sand, blast, then paint, powder-coat or galvanise.
- Inspection. Check the dimensions and weld quality against the drawing.
A small shop project like a trailer or a set of stair railings uses nearly all of these steps.
Welder vs fabricator: the job
- A welder focuses on making high-quality welds, often to a code and procedure. Pipeline, structural and production welders may weld all day without doing much cutting or layout.
- A fabricator reads drawings and builds the whole part or structure. A welder-fabricator (very common in small shops) does both.
- A fitter (or fitter-welder) specialises in measuring, cutting and fitting parts together for welding.
Tools for a small fabrication shop
| Task | Tools |
|---|---|
| Measuring and layout | Tape measure, combination square, framing square, soapstone or scribe, angle finder |
| Cutting | Angle grinder with cut-off discs, metal-cutting chop saw or band saw, plasma cutter |
| Forming | Bench vise, hammer, bending brake, tube bender |
| Drilling | Drill press, cobalt bits, step bits, magnetic drill |
| Holding | Welding table, clamps, magnets |
| Welding | A MIG, stick or TIG welder |
| Finishing | Flap discs, wire wheels, files, paint or primer |
Our metal weight calculator helps you estimate material weight for ordering, lifting and shipping.
Metals commonly fabricated
- Mild (carbon) steel: the most common; easy to cut, form and weld.
- Stainless steel: for food, chemical, marine and architectural work. See welding stainless to mild steel.
- Aluminium: light and corrosion-resistant, for trailers, boats and enclosures. Usually TIG or MIG welded.
- Others: galvanised steel, copper, brass and titanium for specialist work.
Careers in welding and fabrication
- Training: trade schools, community colleges and apprenticeships teach welding plus blueprint reading and fabrication.
- Certifications: welding certifications such as AWS D1.1 (structural) or ASME Section IX (pressure piping) show employers you can make sound welds.
- Paths: structural and pipe welding, shop fabrication, maintenance welding, CNC and plasma operation, inspection (such as Certified Welding Inspector), or running your own fabrication business.
Pay and demand vary by region and specialty. Pipe, underwater and specialist welding typically pay the most.
FAQ
Is welding the same as fabrication?
No. Welding is one process within fabrication. Fabrication includes cutting, bending, machining, assembly and finishing as well as welding.
Can a welder be a fabricator?
Yes. Many welders also fabricate, and in small shops “welder-fabricator” is one job.
What’s the difference between welding and metalworking?
Metalworking is the broadest term, covering all ways of shaping metal: machining, casting, forging, fabrication and welding.
Do I need certification to be a fabricator?
Not always, but welding certifications and the ability to read drawings make you much more employable, and code work requires certified welders.
How do I start metal fabrication at home?
Start with an angle grinder, clamps, a sturdy table, measuring tools and a 120 V MIG or flux-core welder, and build simple projects such as brackets, stands and carts. Our guides to stick welders and welding clothes help you set up safely.
How this guide was written: based on standard industry terminology and trade-school curricula. See how I test and review.