Metal fabrication guides
Plain-language help for ordering custom metal parts, whether it is your first order or your hundredth.
Laser cutting vs waterjet: which one does your part need?Thickness, cost, edge quality and heat. Pick the right process in under a minute.Read the guideHow to prepare your file so your parts come out perfect the first timeA seven-point checklist that gets your file straight to production, plus free software that exports DXF.Read the guideOrdering custom metal parts used to be a headache. Here's how it works now.Phone tag, week-long quotes and minimum orders are gone. Here is the new way to get parts made.Read the guideWho uses laser cutting? 10 industries and the parts they orderSigns, railings, trailer parts and machine guards. See where laser cut metal shows up every day.Read the guideHow much does laser cutting cost in Canada?What actually drives the price of a laser cut part, and five easy ways to bring it down.Read the guideWhy order metal parts in Canada instead of across the borderExchange rates, duties, brokerage fees and size limits. The real cost of ordering from the U.S.Read the guideGalvanizing vs powder coating for outdoor steelHow each stops rust, how long it lasts, and when to use both.Read the guide
Practical guides
Design it right, order it easy.
Minimum hole size for laser cuttingHole, slot and text sizes that cut clean, with a simple table of rules of thumb.Read the guideBest steel for outdoor bracketsMild, galvanized or stainless compared for Canadian winters.Read the guidePowder coat colours and finishesGloss, satin, matte and textures explained, plus RAL colours.Read the guideStainless vs aluminumStrength, weight, rust and price compared in plain language.Read the guideDesigning parts that bend wellFive simple rules for bent parts that come out right.Read the guideHow to measure and sketch a custom jobWhat to measure, photograph and sketch so your quote is right.Read the guideOrdering, timelines, shipping and pickupWhat happens after you pay, how tracking works, and delivery across Canada.Read the guide
Drawing your own file? Start with the design guidelines.
Rather talk it through?
Tell Alice what you're building in your own words, typed or spoken. She prices simple parts on the spot and passes anything custom to a person, who replies within one business day.
Priced In Seconds. Made In Days. Delivered Fast.
Describe a part, upload a drawing, or send us a sketch. No minimum order.