Tru-Weld Stud Welding is one of the most reputable sources for stud welds in the world. In basic terms, stud welding is the fusion or a metal shaft (or “stud”) to a work piece using a high-power electrical detonation. This yields a stronger bond than traditional forging or welding. Companies have relied on Tru-Weld’s products for decades, but how did this manufacturer become such an industry mainstay? Learn the history of Tru-Weld to see how one company transformed stud welding forever.

1929: Foundation of TFP Corporation

About 30 years before the Tru-Weld name earned a reputation for quality weld studs, it was TFP Corporation, a cold-form manufacturer in Lakewood, Ohio. Cold forming is the process of forging metals at high speed and high pressure, at near room temperatures. TFP Corporation produced cold-form goods and services for 30 years, growing as a company and soon expanding into another, related sector – stud welding.

Mid to Late 1950s: Stud Welding Gains Popularity

In the mid to late 1950s, stud welding had become popular due to emerging technologies and new advancements in engineering and manufacturing. Industries such as construction, automotive, aerospace, marine, and military defense began to demand higher-strength studs and fasteners than manufacturers had previously produced. Stud welding came about as a solution to this problem.

Stud welding fuses a threaded or nonthreaded metal stud or shaft with another metal part, such as a base metal. Stud welding uses a high-speed welding process. First, a hand tool called a stud gun places a welding stud in contact with the base or substrate metal. Then, a weld arc melts the welding stud base and an area for metal fastening. The welding stud is forced into the melted area and held in place until the metal solidifies. This high-quality fusion takes place in just milliseconds using two methods: drawn arc and capacitor discharge (CD) welding.

Drawn arc welding is best for large diameter fasteners and rougher base metals. Stainless steel, aluminum, and mild steel are appropriate base options for this type of welding. CD welding is more appropriate for smaller diameter fasteners and thin base metals. Due to the incredibly fast nature of the weld, it doesn’t distort, burn, or discolor the metals. Manufactures can make almost any shape arc and CD stud, as long as one end of the fastener is designed for arc welding or CD welding.

1959: Tru-Weld Joins the Market

In 1959, TFP Corporation joined the trend toward stud welding. It created the Tru-Weld Division to cater to the growing consumer demand for strong, high-quality, application-specific weld studs. The superb quality and craftsmanship of Tru-Weld’s products quickly led to the division’s success, and it soon became an industry leader of weld stud manufacturing and sales. Tru-Weld produced custom studs for specific industries and customers, all using special manufacturing techniques to ensure their high strength and durability.

1970: Tru-Weld Moves to Medina, Ohio

During the 1960s, Tru-Weld continued to lead the market for stud welds and weld fasteners for everyday tools, yard machinery, automobiles, bridges, aircrafts, ocean liners, steel buildings, military vehicles, and more. Under the capable direction of President Harry Workman, TFP Corporation grew to a total of 25 employees, and slowly began the transition to a new location in Medina, Ohio.

The company chose Medina for its spacious 155,000-square-foot manufacturing plant, which was perfect for TFP Corporation’s rapid expansion. The corporation made the move in multiple stages to minimize the disruption to workflow. Most of the move used rail cars to transport heavy equipment and machinery due to weight restrictions on the roadways. Once the move was completed, TFP Corp. and Tru-Weld really began to thrive, picking up distributors around the nation. The large facility enables the company to keep many common lengths and diameters in stock for faster delivery times.

Tru-Weld Today

Today, Tru-Weld remains one of the most popular weld stud manufacturers in the world. Still operating from its facility on Lake Road in Medina, Ohio, Tru-Weld has stayed true to its original mission and vision – to bring the highest-quality welded products to people around the globe. They are a go-to source for arc stud and CD stud welding, weld studs, and a variety of related equipment. Whether you need welding guns and generators or dependable stud weld accessories, Tru-Weld has what you’re seeking.

Tru-Weld understands the guidelines and best practices for stud welding, such as setting appropriate amperage and time for weld base diameters, aligning accessories correctly, and ensuring a clean and solid ground connection. They’ve been in the business of producing stud well products and accessories since 1959, far longer than most competitors. They continue to invest in emerging technologies to keep their manufacturing practices as safe, efficient, and modernized as possible for the benefit of their customers. To purchase Tru-Weld products from a licensed distributor, come to Stud Welding & Fasteners, Inc.