Ditch the weld nuts. Flow drill instead
Tube Flow Drilling
Thermal friction drilling
Thermal friction drilling is an advanced process that forms clean, strong holes in steel, stainless, and aluminum tubing without the need for weld nuts or inserts. Using precision flow drilling tools and controlled speed and pressure, we create bushed holes that extend the wall thickness of the tube, allowing for threaded connections with full engagement and superior strength.
Why choose thermal friction drilling?
Flow drilling is ideal for customers who need strong threaded holes in thin-walled tubular sections. Instead of cutting material away, the process displaces and forms the metal to create a reinforced collar.
Benefits include:
Increased thread engagement — up to 3× the wall thickness
No weld nuts or inserts required, reducing cost and labor
Clean, burr-free holes with minimal distortion
Stronger, longer-lasting joints
Compatible with carbon steel, stainless steel, and aluminum tubing
Applications
This process works almost anywhere you would otherwise have to use a weld nut. Our flow drilling process is used across multiple industries, including:
Automotive and off-road frames
Furniture and display tubing
Industrial equipment and enclosures
Fitness equipment
Agricultural and construction machinery
Whether you need one hole or hundreds, we can perform repeatable flow drilling operations directly on round, square, or rectangular tubing — maintaining consistent alignment and finish.