Lucas Hilton, owner of Hilton’s Welding and Repair in Montezuma, practices his trade on a broken hinge. Some of his work includes boats, trucks, livestock trailers, gates, hinges and tank repairs, all types of agriculture equipment from tractors to animal feeders and much more. By J.O. Parker Do you need a welder? No worry or need to drive to the big city or the next county. Lucas Hilton, owner of Hilton’s Welding and Repair in Montezuma, is ready to take care of all your welding needs. Hilton specializes in welding stainless steel, aluminum and carbon steel. “I mostly do repair work,” said Hilton. “I do a lot of agriculture repair work. If something on a tractor or piece of farm equipment breaks, I can repair it.” Hilton can work on location or from his home-based shop at 205 W. Jefferson. “If the job is small and easy to repair, I recommend my customers bring the item to my shop,” he said. Some of his work includes boats, trucks, livestock trailers, gates, hinges and tank repairs, all types of agriculture equipment from tractors to animal feeders and much more. He’s even made a metal gun rack for a client. Another project he did was designing a swinging bumper-mounted bracket on a camper for a Blackstone grill. “It swings around to the outdoor kitchen making meals a breeze,” he said. He’s also been working with Wilcox All Pro Inc. on a hand cultivator prototype along with some other projects for the Montezuma garden tool company. One customer said it was great to have another American-made company to add to his list of where to do business. Hilton, who is originally from Marengo where he graduated from Iowa Valley in 2013, started welding at age 18. He planned to learn the diesel mechanics trade after high school and while attending Kirkwood Community College, switched gears to welding. “I liked welding and I didn’t have to spend all that money on tools,” said Hilton. Hilton holds an AAS Degree from Kirkwood in Advance Welding Technology. He is currently offering his services on a part-time and weekend basis. He works days for Weitz General Contractors and is currently working at Cargill in Eddyville. He’s a member of Local 33 of the Plumbers and Steamfitters Union in Des Moines. Prior to opening his own business and going to work for Weitz earlier this year, Hilton worked in the manufacturing realm. His first job out of college was working for Ideal Industries in Vinton. “They were a good company to work for and gave me a chance right out of college,” he said. He also spent a brief stint working for Kinze Manufacturing in Williamsburg and most recently, he worked for Co-Line near Sully. Among his many tools is his grandfather’s old Snap-On tool box with his union button still attached are many other items including a note from his oldest daughter telling him she loves him. “I don’t do plumbing or pipe welding to avoid a conflict of interest with my job,” he said. Hilton said he would soon be announcing a custom project that he is doing in connection with Ideal Industries for agricultural and manufacturing equipment. “I have a custom project coming out soon,” he said. Hilton is married to Vanessa, a Montezuma native, and the couple has four children: Delaney, 5, Dawson, 3, Drew, 1.5 and Daxtyn, 3 months. The couple met through mutual friends. Hilton can be reached at Hilton’s Welding and Repair on Facebook. He’s also on Instagram. He can be reached by email at [email protected] or by phone at 319-530-7755. Lucas Hilton, owner of Hilton’s Welding and Repair in Montezuma, is ready to take care of any welding needs you might have. Hilton specializes in welding stainless steel, aluminum and carbon steel. He has been welding since he was 18 and his business offers on-site mobile services and work at his shop in Montezuma.
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