A Pacific Northwest marine fabricator used IronKit to generate their standard aluminum bid package for a 6061-T6 custom boat deck platform. The bid covered material takeoff, TIG welding at $95/hr, mechanical brushing for surface prep, and anodizing allowance — with an explicit no iron contamination requirement called out in the scope. This last detail protected the shop from a dispute that had happened on a previous job where a subcontractor brought carbon steel tools into the aluminum work area.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does aluminum welding cost more per hour than structural steel?
Three reasons: (1) certified AWS D1.2 TIG welders command $90–$100/hr versus $72/hr for structural GMAW; (2) more pre-weld prep required — degreasing, oxide removal, dedicated SS brushing; (3) aluminum tooling is dedicated (no carbon steel) which adds overhead cost. IronKit reflects these in the rate structure.
What is the "no iron contamination" requirement?
Aluminum's corrosion resistance depends on an intact oxide layer. Carbon steel particles embedded in aluminum (from carbon steel grinders, brushes, or clamps) cause galvanic corrosion that can pit and stain the surface. High-end aluminum work requires dedicated SS or aluminum tooling, and shop procedures that prevent carbon steel contact. This is critical for marine, architectural, and food-grade aluminum.
Is anodizing included in every aluminum bid?
Not automatically — it depends on the application. Marine and architectural aluminum often requires anodizing for corrosion protection. Structural aluminum used inside buildings may not. IronKit adds anodizing as an optional line item that you can include or exclude when generating the bid.
Does IronKit use 6061 or 6063 as the material reference?
6061-T6 is the standard structural aluminum — higher strength (40 ksi yield) for structural and marine applications. 6063-T5 is used for architectural extrusions where finish quality matters more than strength. IronKit defaults to 6061-T6 for structural work and lets you override to 6063 for extrusion-heavy applications.