Your Complete Guide to Reliable Tube’s Steel Processing Services
The Value of a One-Stop Fabrication Partner
In the fast-paced world of construction and manufacturing across Western Canada, efficiency is everything. Procuring raw material is only the first step in getting a project off the ground. When your structural materials require cutting, bending, cleaning, or coating, coordinating with multiple third-party vendors can severely impact your timeline and budget. That is why finding comprehensive steel processing services under one roof is crucial for modern fabrication.
By preparing your materials to precise specifications before they even leave our facility, Reliable Tube ensures that your steel arrives ready to assemble. This approach not only minimizes material waste but also significantly reduces the manual labor required on your job site.
Our Comprehensive Steel Processing Services
To fully support our clients across British Columbia and beyond, we have heavily invested in advanced technology and heavy-duty machinery. Here is an overview of the steel processing services we provide to keep your projects moving efficiently.
1. Advanced Laser Processing
Our laser processing capabilities unlock incredible design flexibility for custom fabrications.
- We process round, square, rectangular, and special shaped tubes, as well as angle, channel, and flat bar.
- By utilizing specific assist gases, our systems can cleanly cut mild steel, stainless steel, copper, brass, and aluminum.
- This method is perfect for complex joints and architectural metalwork that require tight tolerances to meet ASTM International material standards.
2. Precision Saw Cutting
Speed and accuracy are the defining traits of our saw cutting department.
- Our facility utilizes five heavy-duty, large-capacity band saws, including automated HYDMECH and BTM CNC models.
- We feature over 120 feet of rollcase, allowing us to efficiently handle and maneuver extremely long materials.
- We routinely process bar stock, beams, CF, rounds, and hollow structural sections (HSS) directly to your project’s length requirements.
3. Heavy-Duty Plate Processing
For industrial applications requiring thick, durable plates, our plate processing center delivers exactly what you need.
- We utilize top-tier machinery, including the Voortman V325, Hypatherm HPR, and Hypatherm XPR tables.
- Our plasma tables are capable of burning light gauge 20ga material up to 1-3/4″ thick plate.
- For extreme heavy-duty needs, our OXY burning torch can seamlessly process plates up to 5″ thick.
4. High-Capacity Forming
When your project calls for precise bends and angles, our forming services ensure structural integrity and flawless geometry.
- Our flagship machine is a 450-ton Durma Brake Press boasting a massive 20-foot bed.
- We also utilize a 250-ton Accupress with a 10-foot bed for high tonnage, heavy-duty bending.
5. Custom Structural Rolling
Curved architectural designs and specialty infrastructure require robust rolling services.
- We can roll sections up to a maximum length of 144 inches (3,658 mm).
- Our rolling capacities support a minimum inner diameter of 16 inches.
- We handle impressive material thicknesses, accommodating cold rolled sections up to 8 inches and hot rolled sections up to 12 inches.
6. Automated Wheelabrating
Proper surface preparation is mandatory before applying any protective coatings. Our wheelabrating service removes scale and rust to create an ideal surface profile.
- Our massive blast cabinet is 16 inches high and processes plates up to 10 feet wide and 60 feet long.
- The automated system handles a maximum lifting capacity of 20,000 pounds.
- The machine runs on an efficient 4-wheel system, scaling up to 6 wheels when processing massive 10-foot wide plates.
7. Shop Priming
To protect your processed steel from the elements during transport and early construction phases, we offer professional priming. The Canadian Institute of Steel Construction (CISC) regularly emphasizes the importance of protecting structural members prior to full erection.
- We offer three primer options: a standard red, a grey oxide vinyl-based primer, and a grey zinc-based primer.
- Primer thickness is carefully applied between 0.5 to 1.0 mils, ensuring an average of 0.7 mils.
- These shop primers are designed to protect steel in outdoor elements for an average of 3 to 6 months.
- All of our shop primers are completely weldable, and all steel must be wheelabrated first to guarantee proper adhesion.
Service Capabilities Overview
| Processing Capability | Key Equipment & Specs | Best Used For |
| Laser Processing | Handles round, square, rectangular, and special shapes | Precision brackets, mechanical components, and complex joints |
| Saw Cutting | Five heavy-duty band saws; up to 120ft rollcase | Beams, HSS, and structural material cut-to-length |
| Plate Processing | Hypatherm HPR/XPR and Voortman V325 tables | High-definition plasma and oxy burning up to 5″ thick |
| Forming | 450-ton Durma (20′ bed) and 250-ton Accupress | Heavy-duty bending and precise angular shaping |
| Rolling | Minimum 16″ ID; hot rolled up to 12″ thick | Arches, curved beams, and custom structural profiles |
| Wheelabrating | 16” high cabinet handling up to 10’ wide x 60’ long | Surface preparation and scale removal before coating |
| Priming | Red, grey oxide, and grey zinc shop primers | 3-6 month weather protection during early construction |
Frequently Asked Questions About Steel Processing Services
Yes. Whether you are using our shop primers or applying your own topcoat later, wheelabrating is highly recommended. Without the textured profile created by the wheelabrator, paints and primers will not properly adhere to the material and will eventually peel.
No. Our shop primers are strictly designed to protect the steel from the elements during transport and erection for an average of 3 to 6 months. They are not formulated to serve as a permanent topcoat or final finish coat.
Absolutely. All of the shop primers we apply—including our red, grey oxide, and grey zinc options—are completely weldable, meaning your fabricators do not need to grind off the coating before striking an arc.
Streamline Your Supply Chain Today
By centralizing your raw material procurement and steel processing services with Reliable Tube, you eliminate logistical headaches and ensure absolute quality control. From precision laser cuts to massive plate processing, we have the technology to support your next major build. Contact us today to request a quote and discover how our in-house fabrication team can keep your project on schedule and on budget.