Metal Fabrication Materials: Steel, Stainless Steel & Aluminum

Precision laser cutting, bending, welding, and fabrication for steel, stainless steel, and aluminum are all handled in-house at our Brampton, Ontario facility. Dependable Laser Works fabricates custom metal parts and components for businesses across Ontario. With commonly used materials available in-house and multiple fabrication processes under one roof, we make it easier to move from material selection and design to cutting, forming, welding, and finished production.

Choosing the Right Metal for Your Project

The material you choose can directly affect the strength, weight, corrosion resistance, appearance, service life, and overall cost of your finished part.
At Dependable Laser Works, we do more than process the material specified on a drawing. Our team can help you determine which metal best suits your application, fabrication requirements, finish, operating environment, and budget.

Whether you need the strength and value of steel, the corrosion resistance of stainless steel, or the lightweight performance of aluminum, we can help you select the right material and fabrication process for the job.

Materials We Work With

Steel Fabrication

Steel is a strong, versatile, and cost-effective material used across structural, industrial, manufacturing, automotive, and heavy-duty applications. We fabricate mild and carbon steel components using precision laser cutting, CNC bending, and welding for everything from one-off parts to repeat production.

Available Capabilities

Mild and carbon steel

Hot-rolled and cold-rolled options

22 gauge to 3/4 inch for supported cutting and bending applications

Laser cutting, CNC bending, MIG and TIG welding

Prototype and production quantities

Common Applications

Brackets, structural components, frames, machine parts, guards, panels, truck components, supports, and custom fabrications.

Stainless Steel Fabrication

Stainless steel combines strength with excellent corrosion resistance and a clean, professional appearance. It is well suited to applications where durability, sanitation, weather resistance, or the appearance of the finished component matters.

Dependable Laser Works works with common stainless steel grades, including 304 and 316, for precision-cut, formed, and welded components.

Available Capabilities

304 and 316 stainless steel

22 gauge to 1/2 inch for supported cutting and bending applications

Laser cutting and CNC forming

MIG and TIG welding

Prototype through production quantities

Common Applications

Food-service components, industrial enclosures, HVAC components, equipment panels, outdoor parts, visible assemblies, and corrosion-resistant fabrications.

Aluminum Fabrication

Aluminum provides an excellent balance of low weight, corrosion resistance, and formability. Its lighter weight makes it particularly useful for transportation, automotive, signage, enclosures, and other applications where reducing overall component weight is important.

We cut, form, and weld aluminum components for custom projects, prototypes, and production runs.

Available Capabilities

Common fabrication-grade aluminum

22 gauge to 3/4 in. for supported cutting and bending applications

Laser cutting and CNC bending

MIG and TIG welding

One-off parts through production quantities

Common Applications

Truck components, automotive parts, brackets, signs, panels, enclosures, covers, lightweight structures, and custom assemblies.

Steel vs. Stainless Steel vs. Aluminum: Quick Comparison

Not sure which metal is best for your project? Here is a quick comparison of the three materials we commonly fabricate.

Factor	Steel	Stainless Steel	Aluminum
Strength	High	High	Moderate to High, depending on alloy
Weight	Heavier	Heavier	Lightweight
Corrosion Resistance	Limited without coating or treatment	Excellent	Very Good
Appearance	Industrial	Clean, polished appearance available	Clean, bright appearance
Relative Material Cost	Generally Lower	Generally Higher	Moderate
Common Applications	Structural and heavy-duty parts	Hygienic, exposed and corrosion-resistant parts	Weight-sensitive parts, signage and transportation

Material performance can vary depending on the grade, alloy, thickness, finish, and intended application.

Still unsure which material to choose? Send us your project specifications and our team can help identify the most suitable option for your application and budget.

Material Thickness Capabilities

Our equipment supports everything from thin sheet metal to heavier plate, allowing us to handle a broad range of commercial and industrial fabrication requirements.

Material	Laser Cutting	CNC Bending	Welding
Steel	22 gauge to 3/4 in.	22 gauge to 3/4 in.*	Based on material thickness, joint design and application
Stainless Steel	22 gauge to 1/2 in.	22 gauge to 1/2 in.*	Based on material thickness, joint design and application
Aluminum	22 gauge to 3/4 in.	22 gauge to 3/4 in.*	Based on material thickness, alloy, joint design and application

*Bending capability can vary based on part geometry, bend length, material grade, tooling requirements, and other project specifications. Send us your drawing for confirmation of your exact requirements.

Fabrication Services Across Our Core Materials

Steel, stainless steel, and aluminum can move through multiple stages of our in-house fabrication workflow, helping reduce unnecessary handling between separate suppliers.

Laser Cutting Metal Sheet Bending Welding MIG Welding TIG Welding 3D Printing / 3D Scanning Laser Cutting Metal Sheet Bending Welding MIG Welding TIG Welding 3D Printing / 3D Scanning

Materials for the Industries We Serve

Our material and fabrication capabilities support businesses across transportation, manufacturing, industrial production, signage, product development, and other sectors throughout Ontario.

Trucking & Fleet

Steel and aluminum for truck-body components, brackets, panels, mounts, racks, and other custom fleet parts.

Automotive

Steel and aluminum for brackets, heat shields, custom components, prototypes, and other precision-fabricated automotive parts.

Manufacturing

Steel, stainless steel, and aluminum for production parts, equipment components, machine guards, brackets, assemblies, and custom fabrication.

HVAC and Industrial

Steel and stainless steel for equipment panels, enclosures, duct-related components, guards, transitions, and other industrial sheet metal applications.

Sign Making

Aluminum and stainless steel for custom signage, lettering, decorative panels, sign components, and architectural features.

Prototyping

Steel, stainless steel, and aluminum for one-off prototypes, proof-of-concept components, first articles, and short production runs.

Why Source & Fabricate With Dependable Laser Works?

Choosing the right material is only part of the process. Dependable Laser Works brings material selection and fabrication together to give businesses a more streamlined path from drawing to finished component.

Common Materials Available In-House

Keeping commonly used steel, stainless steel, and aluminum available helps reduce delays associated with sourcing material separately. Material availability varies by grade, gauge, and project requirements, so our team can confirm stock when you request a quote.

Practical Material Guidance

Different metals perform differently under load, exposure, forming, welding, and finishing. Our team can help you evaluate material options based on strength, weight, corrosion resistance, appearance, fabrication requirements, and budget.

One Shop. Multiple Processes.

Laser cutting, CNC bending, welding, 3D printing, and related fabrication services are handled through one facility. That means fewer supplier hand-offs and a more coordinated workflow from raw material to finished part.

Prototype to Production

Need one part to validate a concept before placing a larger order? We support projects from prototypes and one-off custom components to repeat production runs while maintaining consistent specifications throughout the process.

See What We Fabricate

Explore examples of custom steel, stainless steel, and aluminum components produced for businesses across the GTA and Ontario. From laser-cut panels and precision-bent brackets to welded assemblies, signage, enclosures, and custom industrial parts, our project gallery shows what is possible when material and fabrication come together under one roof.

Frequently Asked Questions

What types of metal does Dependable Laser Works fabricate?

We primarily fabricate steel, stainless steel, and aluminum. Our capabilities include CNC laser cutting, press brake bending, MIG and TIG welding, and additional fabrication services for custom parts and assemblies.

What thicknesses of steel can you cut?

Our fibre laser can process steel from 22 gauge up to 3/4 in., depending on the specific material and project requirements.

What thicknesses of stainless steel can you cut?

We laser cut stainless steel from 22 gauge up to 1/2 in. Common grades include 304 and 316 stainless steel.

What thicknesses of aluminum can you cut?

We can laser cut aluminum from 22 gauge up to 3/4 in., subject to the alloy and project specifications.

Which is better: steel, stainless steel, or aluminum?

There is no single best material for every application. Steel is often selected for strength and value, stainless steel for corrosion resistance and appearance, and aluminum for its low weight and corrosion resistance. Our team can help you select the appropriate material based on your project’s requirements.

Can you help me choose the right material?

Yes. Provide your drawing, intended application, operating environment, quantity, and any important strength, weight, finish, or corrosion-resistance requirements. Our team can help you assess the appropriate material for fabrication.

Is aluminum stronger than steel?

For comparable sections, steel generally provides greater strength and stiffness, while aluminum offers a much lower material weight. The right choice depends on the alloy, dimensions, structural requirements, operating conditions, and intended use of the component.

Can you cut, bend, and weld the same part?

Yes. Depending on your design, components can move from laser cutting to CNC bending and welding within our fabrication workflow. Send us your drawing and specifications so we can determine the appropriate manufacturing sequence.

Do you provide material, or do I need to supply my own?

We keep commonly used sheet metal materials available for fabrication. Availability depends on the required grade, alloy, gauge, and quantity, so we recommend confirming your material requirements when requesting a quote.

Do you accept prototype and small-quantity projects?

Yes. We work on projects ranging from individual prototypes and custom one-off parts to repeat and production-volume orders.

What is the difference between steel and stainless steel?

Steel is commonly used when strength, versatility, and cost are key considerations. Stainless steel contains alloying elements that provide substantially greater corrosion resistance, making it suitable for applications exposed to moisture, weather, frequent cleaning, or other demanding environments.

Not Sure Which Material Is Right for Your Project?

Send us your drawing, CAD file, or project details. Our team can review your requirements, recommend a suitable material and fabrication approach, and provide a competitive quote for your project.

Metal Fabrication Materials: Steel, Stainless Steel & Aluminum

Choosing the Right Metal for Your Project

Materials We Work With

Steel Fabrication

Available Capabilities

Common Applications

Stainless Steel Fabrication

Available Capabilities

Common Applications

Aluminum Fabrication

Available Capabilities

Common Applications

Steel vs. Stainless Steel vs. Aluminum: Quick Comparison

Material Thickness Capabilities

Fabrication Services Across Our Core Materials

Laser Cutting

Metal Sheet Bending

MIG & TIG Welding

3D Printing & Scanning

Materials for the Industries We Serve

Trucking & Fleet

Automotive

Manufacturing

HVAC and Industrial

Sign Making

Prototyping

Why Source & Fabricate With Dependable Laser Works?

Common Materials Available In-House

Practical Material Guidance

One Shop. Multiple Processes.

Prototype to Production

See What We Fabricate

Frequently Asked Questions

Not Sure Which Material Is Right for Your Project?