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  James West

Custom Welding & Metal Fabrication Las Vegas

Custom welding Las Vegas clients trust Ace of Spades Custom RV and Repair for precision aluminum and steel fabrication. With 29 years of hands-on experience, we deliver high-quality custom welding, structural repairs, and one-of-a-kind metalwork for RVs, vehicles, and specialized projects throughout the Las Vegas area.
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James West performing precision TIG welding on custom metal fabrication at Ace of Spades Custom RV Las Vegas
James West owner of Ace of Spades Custom RV standing with custom aluminum welded smoke stack on Peterbilt truck
James West, owner and certified master RV technician at Ace of Spades Custom RV and Repair in Las Vegas

About James West

With nearly three decades of hands-on experience, James West brings 29 years of expert aluminum and steel welding to every project at Ace of Spades Custom RV and Repair. Specializing in precision custom fabrication, structural repairs, and complex metalwork, James has mastered both TIG and MIG techniques across a wide range of materials and applications.
 
From intricate aluminum components to heavy-duty steel fabrications, his skill and attention to detail ensure lasting, high-quality results for RV modifications, custom builds, and specialized welding needs. Learn more about James and our team on our About Us page
About Us

Hand-Fabricated Aluminum .50 Cal Barrett Smoke Stacks – No CNC, No Shortcuts

At Ace of Spades Custom RV, we recently completed one of our most unique and challenging projects yet: two fully working aluminum smoke stacks meticulously crafted as exact replicas of the legendary .50 caliber Barrett sniper rifle.
These functional pieces were designed to deliver both striking visual impact and real-world performance.
Every part of these smoke stacks was fabricated completely by hand. We used no CNC machines, no YouTube tutorials, no AI assistance, and no outside help of any kind.
Relying solely on traditional metalworking skills, precision measuring, and years of experience, we shaped, welded, and finished the aluminum components to mirror the iconic lines and details of the Barrett .50 cal rifle. We documented the entire renovation for 1 year on Instagram and had over 12 million views. 
Working exclusively with aluminum required careful control of heat, fitment, and structural integrity to ensure the stacks would not only look authentic but also function reliably under real conditions.
The result is a pair of one-of-a-kind pieces that showcase pure craftsmanship and attention to detail from start to finish.Our work caught the attention of Barrett Firearms themselves.
The company flew out to meet us at the SEMA 2025 show in Las Vegas, where they examined the smoke stacks in person and discussed future collaboration.
That meeting has led to an exciting new project: we are now working with Barrett to design and build a massive 13-foot Barrett rifle sculpture for their new headquarters in Tennessee, scheduled for completion in 2027.
We invite you to watch the short video below to see Part 2 of the fabrication process and witness how these aluminum Barrett-inspired smoke stacks came to life entirely by hand.
 
Custom polished aluminum hood ornament on the Barrett Truck, a fully custom Peterbilt build featuring intricate spoked wheel design and streamlined base
Handcrafted aluminum Barrett 50 Caliber smoke stack components under fabrication for the custom Barrett Truck Peterbilt conversion in the workshop
Custom aluminum body components under fabrication for the Barrett Truck, a fully custom 1998 Peterbilt conversion, shown in the workshop
James West of Ace of Spades Custom RV posing with a large custom aluminum-welded Barrett .50 caliber sniper rifle replica smoke stack in his Las Vegas workshop
Close-up side detail of the Barrett Truck custom 1998 Peterbilt showing the air filter and signature 50 Caliber ammo-belt styling
Custom black semi truck with enclosed trailer built by Ace of Spades Custom RV in Las Vegas

MIG vs. TIG: Choosing the Right Process for the Job

 
Not every weld is the same. Understanding the strengths of each process helps explain why we offer both. MIG Welding: MIG uses a continuously fed wire electrode and shielding gas. It is efficient for longer welds and thicker steel.
 
Many structural repairs, frame reinforcements, and steel fabrications on trailers and truck chassis are completed with MIG. It produces strong joints relatively quickly and is highly effective when appearance is secondary to strength and speed.
 
TIG Welding: TIG uses a non-consumable tungsten electrode and a separate filler rod. The welder has precise control over heat and filler addition. This makes TIG ideal for aluminum, stainless steel, and thinner materials.
 
The beads are typically cleaner and more aesthetically pleasing, which matters on visible components such as custom exhaust stacks, body panels, or decorative metalwork. The Barrett stacks were a textbook case for aluminum TIG.
 
Having both capabilities in one shop means we select the best process for each section of a project instead of forcing one method to do everything.
 
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Professional RV Repair in Las Vegas | Ace of Spades Custom RV

Professional RV Repair in Las Vegas | Ace of Spades Custom RV

by | Oct 20, 2026

Professional RV Repair in Las Vegas | Ace of Spades Custom RVWhen your recreational vehicle needs reliable service in the harsh desert environment of Southern Nevada, choosing the right shop makes all the difference.   At Ace of Spades Custom RV and Repair, we...