Blog on welding, gates and protecting metal

Practical articles from the Mobil Mont metal workshop: TIG and CO2 welding, protecting metal after fabrication, choosing between a sliding and a swing gate and what a custom gate costs. We write briefly and concretely, so you can decide what you need before you call a metalworker.

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Articles

Welding20 October 2026

TIG welding: when to choose it and why it suits stainless steel

TIG welding is a process in which an electric arc burns between a tungsten electrode and the workpiece, while an inert gas, usually argon, shields the weld. The welder feeds filler material with the other hand and often controls the current with a foot pedal, which gives full control over heat. That makes TIG the cleanest and most precisely controlled process. It is chosen for stainless steel, thin sheet and joints that stay visible: frames, shelves, counters, handrails and railings. The weld is smooth and spatter-free, and the material distorts less. With stainless steel, overheating must be avoided, because yellow, blue and brown tints mean the material has lost part of its corrosion resistance at that spot. That is why the weld zone is cleaned, pickled or polished afterwards, and on tubes the weld is shielded with gas from the inside too. For long welds on thicker steel TIG is too slow, so the CO2 process is used there. In practice the processes are often combined. If you order stainless steel furniture, ask what the joints will look like and how they are finished.

Metal protection20 October 2026

Protecting metal after fabrication: paint, galvanizing and more

Fabrication is only half the job. How long a gate, railing or piece of furniture lasts depends on how the surface is prepared and what protects it. Plain steel rusts as soon as it meets moisture and oxygen, and the most vulnerable spots are welds, cut edges and areas where the factory coating has been removed. That is why protection is planned together with fabrication. Even the most expensive paint will not hold on a poor substrate, so before painting rust, scale, oil and dust are removed, and the surface is blasted or ground and degreased. The article compares the most common methods: painting, powder coating, hot-dip galvanising and galvanised sheet. It also explains what is done with stainless steel, brass and other fine metals, which are not painted but are cleaned, passivated and protected from scratches. Most damage happens in transport and during installation, so that has its place too. The article ends with maintenance tips that extend the life of the protection: washing with a mild cleaner once or twice a year and touching up small damage straight away.

Welding20 October 2026

CO2 (MAG) welding: a fast process for structures, gates and fences

CO2 welding, more precisely MAG, is the most common process for steel structures. The wire, which is both electrode and filler material, is fed automatically from a spool through a gun, and gas coming out of the same gun shields the weld. Thanks to its speed and good penetration it is the standard for gates, railings, canopies, stairs, halls and industrial doors made of plain steel. Welds run faster than with TIG, which matters on longer joints and thicker material, and the process also suits work on site, as long as wind, which blows the gas away, is kept off. The drawbacks are spatter, which must be cleaned and ground off, and a rougher weld, so TIG is more often chosen for visible joints. Quality does not depend on the machine alone: the joint must be free of rust, paint and grease, the parts correctly fitted, and the welding sequence chosen so the structure does not warp from heat. The article also has a short comparison of CO2 and TIG, and what is done with the weld afterwards, before corrosion protection.

Gates20 October 2026

Sliding or swing gate: how to choose the right one for your entrance

The choice between a sliding and a swing gate depends mostly on the space around the entrance, the slope of the ground and how you use the gate. A sliding gate is the better choice when there is no room for the leaves to swing or the entrance is on a slope, because it needs free space along the fence but is less sensitive to wind. A swing gate is simpler and often the natural choice for a narrower entrance with enough room in front and behind, while large leaves catch the wind and need a stronger structure. They also differ in automation: the drive of a sliding gate is mounted beside the gate, on a rack, while on a swing gate it is mounted on the post and the leaf, with one or two motors. The article has a comparison table by space, ground, automation, wind and upkeep, and a list of questions to answer before ordering: how wide the opening is, whether the ground slopes, whether automation is needed, whether a pedestrian gate is needed and what infill you want. The final decision comes from measuring on site, and we are glad to suggest a solution once you send dimensions and a photo.

Prices20 October 2026

How much a custom gate costs: what the price depends on

The price of a custom gate cannot be stated exactly without dimensions and a choice of material. It depends on width and height, material, infill, surface protection, automation and installation, so two gates for the same opening can differ in price. A larger gate uses more material and needs a stronger structure. Steel, stainless steel and aluminium have different prices and are worked differently. Slats, sheet or a laser-cut pattern need different amounts of material and labour. Painting, powder coating or galvanising differ in price and durability, and a motor, remotes, photocells and intercom add to the total. Foundation and ground also matter, since a track or posts need preparation and a slope makes installation harder. The article gives indicative prices for standard versions, noting they do not necessarily apply to your case. At the end is a list of what to send for an exact quote: the width and height of the opening, a photo of the spot, the look you want, whether you want automation and the date by which you need the gate.

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