Stick welding — formally MMA (Manual Metal Arc) or SMAW — is the most robust welding process for outdoor, dirty, or difficult site conditions. It's ideal for heavy structural steel, outdoor repairs in wind or rain, and sites where gas shielding isn't practical.

We use stick welding for heavy-gauge structural connections, agricultural and rural repairs, and any job where the site conditions rule out MIG or TIG.

What Stick Welding Is Used For

  • Heavy structural steel — beams, columns, and connections
  • Outdoor welding in wind, where gas shielding would be disrupted
  • Farm machinery, agricultural equipment, and implements
  • Site repairs where clean surface prep isn't possible
  • High-tensile and thick-wall steel sections
  • Pipeline and pressure vessel work

When We Use Stick vs MIG

For most standard steel work MIG is faster and cleaner. We choose stick when the material is thick (10mm+), the site is windy, or the base metal is dirty or galvanised and can't be fully cleaned. The right process for each job — that's why we carry both.