JonnySWeld Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
JonnySWeld, LLC Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Over the years I've received a lot of questions about welding repairs, custom fabrication, metal art, deposits, pickups, and how I operate my shop. Rather than answer the same questions repeatedly, I decided to put together this FAQ page.
And yes... every FAQ has a story behind it.
Can you weld my vehicle frame, trailer, or other road-going equipment?
No. I do not offer welding, repairs, modifications, or fabrication services on vehicle frames, trailers, suspension components, hitches, roll cages, or anything intended for use on public roads or off-road vehicles.
Do you offer pickup and delivery?
Yes, with limitations. I offer pickup and delivery for customer projects. Travel is billed per mile, and any time spent loading, unloading, discussing the project, reviewing plans, or discussing additional projects may be billed at my normal hourly shop rate. To help keep costs down, I strongly recommend customers drop off and pick up their own projects whenever possible.
Note: If I need to pick up materials specifically for your project, you will not be billed mileage. However, all materials purchased for your project will be added to your invoice.
Do you offer mobile welding?
No. At this time, I do not offer mobile welding services. If you need mobile welding, send me a text or email with some details about your project. If I know a qualified mobile welder in your area, I may be able to point you in the right direction.
Do you provide free estimates?
Yes. I offer free estimates for projects brought to me through photos, videos, phone calls, emails, or discussions regarding the project.
If an estimate requires me to travel to your location, an on-site estimate fee will apply. The cost varies depending on travel distance and time required, but is typically $50 to $75 or more.
How do you determine pricing?
My pricing is generally based on labor and materials.
Labor
I charge for the actual time spent working on your project. I use a timer and track my hours as accurately as possible. Note, every job is minimum of 1 hour , even if the job takes 20 minutes.
Materials
Materials purchased specifically for your project are billed accordingly. This may include:
• Steel
• Aluminum
• Wood
• Casters
• Wheels
• Paint (basic colors, white, black, grey & clear)
• Hardware
• Specialty components
Consumables
I do not normally bill separately for standard shop consumables such as:
• Welding wire
• Welding gas
• Grinding wheels
• Cut-off wheels
• Standard welding consumables
The exception would be if your project requires specialized consumables purchased specifically for your order.
What is your hourly rate?
Please contact me directly.
Rates may vary depending on project complexity, materials involved, scheduling requirements, and overall project size. The best way to get an accurate estimate is to text or email me with project details, drawings and/or photos.
Do you require a deposit?
Yes. Most custom projects require a deposit before work begins. The deposit amount varies depending on materials, project size, and overall cost.
If no materials are needed, a deposit may or may not be required depending on the scope of work.
Deposits are non refundable once I order material or start your project!
What happens if I abandon my project?
Well, I hope that doesn't happen.
Deposits become non-refundable once materials have been purchased for your project or the project has been started. If I have already ordered materials, performed work, or completed repairs, I will retain possession of the project until the invoice has been paid in full. I also reserve the right to recover costs at my discretion.
Completed projects should be picked up within a reasonable amount of time. Projects left for extended periods without communication may be subject to storage fees, disposal, or resale.
If life gets busy and you need me to hold onto something for a while, just communicate with me. Most of the time we can work something out.
Can you repair cast iron?
Yes, but there are no guarantees.
Most cast iron repairs I've completed have held up very well. However, cast iron can be unpredictable, and even with proper preparation and welding techniques, cracking can still occur before, during, or after the repair.
The process of welding cast iron typically requires significant preheating, controlled cooling, and additional labor compared to most steel welding projects.
If your cast iron repair is not worth approximately $100 to $200 minimum, it may not be cost-effective to repair.
I can weld cast iron, but I cannot guarantee the repair will hold long term.
Can you weld aluminum?
Yes.
I can weld aluminum and complete most basic aluminum repairs and fabrication projects.
That said, aluminum welding is not my specialty. If appearance is critical and you're looking for high-end cosmetic aluminum welds, let me know and I can refer you to a welder who specializes in aluminum.
Do you work with stainless steel?
Yes. I can weld and fabricate with stainless steel. Please contact me with project details.
Do you offer CNC plasma cutting?
Yes. I do offer limited CNC plasma cutting services. Contact me with details about your project and I'll let you know if it's something I can help with. I do not have a CNC machine in-house but I have access to one when I need it. Note, I can use CNC or laser. Laser is much more of a clean cut with more precision.
Can you make custom metal signs?
Absolutely!! Custom signs, wall art, business signs, decorative metal projects, and unique one-of-a-kind pieces are some of my favorite projects to build.
Can you recreate a broken part?
Maybe. If you have the original part or enough measurements, I may be able to fabricate a replacement. Send me photos and details and I'll see what can be done. I’ve recreated parts many time, often its close but very early will ever be exactly the same. In the past though ive been able to improve on the original parts design and add more structure or strength where the original part may of been lacking. Let’s figure it out together.
Can you paint my project when it's finished?
Yes.
I offer basic coating using white, black, or gray primer paint. (rattle-can)
Please note that I am a welder, not a painter.
My goal is to provide a protective coating to help prevent rust. The finish should not be considered a final painted surface.
If you would like a specific color, brand, or paint system used, that must be discussed before work begins. Any special paint products will be billed to your project. Once again just to be clear, I’m a welder, not a painter.
Do you guarantee your work?
No. I do not offer a written warranty or guarantee on repairs or fabricated items.
If you experience an issue with something I've worked on, please contact me and I'll do my best to help, but no guarantees are expressed or implied.
How long will my project take?
It depends on my current workload and the projects already scheduled ahead of yours.
Small repairs may be completed within a few days or week, while larger fabrication projects may take several weeks.
If you need your project completed by a specific date, please let me know upfront. In some cases, I can move your project ahead in the schedule for an additional rush fee. Note, I am not the fastest out there. If speed is something you need, please be upfront about that and I will let you know if I can meet your deadlines or not.
Can I supply my own materials?
Yes. If you already have metal, lumber, hardware, or other materials you'd like used for your project, I am generally willing to work with customer-supplied materials. Please discuss this with me before work begins so I can verify the materials are suitable for the project. Note, I am not a wood worker, I can do basic wood work but no speciality woodworking at all and personally prefer to stick to metal.
Do you keep metal in stock?
Yes. I keep a variety of leftover materials in the shop, including small pieces of:
• Angle iron
• Square tubing
• Round stock
• Flat bar
• Sheet metal
• Miscellaneous drops and cutoffs
If your repair or project only requires a small amount of material and I already have something suitable in stock, I'll often use it at no additional charge.
However, if I need to purchase specific materials for your project, those costs will be added to your invoice or p[art of your deposit.
Can you fix it while I wait?
No. Even if it's only a quick repair, I cannot have customers in the shop while welding or fabrication work is being performed. If you want to stay int he area while fix a repair, feel free to grab a coffee, lunch, run errands, or come back later once the repair is complete. This needs to be discussed before the project is started.
Thank you for understanding.
Can I watch while you weld?
No. For safety and insurance reasons, customers are not permitted in active work areas while welding or fabrication work is being performed.
Can I bring my dog?
Yes but not recommended. Even with cleaning and sweeping often, there can be metal bits/small pieces around the shop that I would hate for an animal to step on. If you have to, make sure your dog is friendly, well-behaved, and gets along with people. With that said, please make sure you were shoes when picking up and dropping off your order, close toes shoes/boots are recommended.
Will you weld something in exchange for a trade?
99.99% of the time, the answer is no.
However, there have been rare occasions where a trade made sense.
Examples include:
• DeWALT power tools
• ESAB welding equipment
• Shop equipment
• Quality welding tools
• Copper
• Brass
• Aluminum
• Stainless steel
• Titanium
Please understand that I am generally looking for paid work, not trade offers.
Do you work for free?
No!
I'm retired, elderly, or on a fixed income and need something repaired for safety. Can you help?
Possibly. If you're located in the Canonsburg area and need a small repair related to safety, such as a railing, handrail, gate, or similar item, contact me and tell me what you have going on. Helping members of my local community when I can is important to me, and I'll do my best to see if there's a way I can help and talking about a discount to help fit your needs.
What forms of payment do you accept?
I currently accept:
• Cash
• PayPal
• Venmo
• Cash App
• Apple Cash
I can also accept credit and debit card payments through PayPal invoicing.
I do not accept:
• Zelle
• Personal checks
Business checks are accepted.
Can I mail you something?
Yes.
If you plan on mailing materials, parts, or project items, please contact me first so I know what to expect.
Mailing Address
JonnySWeld, LLC
P.O. Box 18
Canonsburg, PA 15317
Where are you located?
My shop is a private workshop located in the Eighty Four (84), Pennsylvania area.
For privacy and scheduling reasons, I do not publicly post the exact shop address.
Please text or email to arrange a drop-off or pickup location.
Shop visits are by appointment only and not recommended!
What are your shop hours?
My normal availability is:
Monday through Friday
9:00 AM to 3:00 PM
That said, it's just me running the shop, so my schedule changes frequently depending on projects, pickups, deliveries, appointments, and family commitments. Text messages and emails can be sent and received anytime.
I have a question that's not listed here. How do I contact you?
Text: 724-503-0566
Email: jonnysweld@gmail.com
Text messages and emails are the easiest and fastest way to reach me.
You can also send a message through social media, but responses may take longer.
Instagram • Facebook • TikTok • X • LinkedIn - @jonnysweld
What types of projects do you enjoy working on?
Some of my favorite projects are the ones that have a story behind them.
I enjoy repairing items that have sentimental value, giving them a second life, and keeping them out of the landfill or scrapyard. Over the years I've repaired everything from family heirlooms and bar stools to old trophies, signs, tools, and countless household items that meant something to someone.
I also enjoy working on vintage and antique items, whether that's restoring them, repairing them, or repurposing them into something completely new.
When it comes to custom fabrication, I do my best work in a relaxed environment with reasonable expectations, flexible timelines, and some creative freedom. If you have a general vision for a project and trust me to help bring it to life, that's where I tend to thrive.
If you're looking for the absolute cheapest price, the fastest turnaround, or a project built to an exact specification with no room for creativity, I may not be the best fit. But if you're looking for quality work, honest communication, and someone who genuinely enjoys the process of creating something unique, I'd love to hear about your project.
Thanks for Reading
I hope this FAQ answered some of your questions and helps explain how I operate my shop.
And yes... every FAQ has a story behind it.
Maybe your question will make it onto the FAQ page next.