A method for refilling a metal part with filler metal, wherein the metal part is a drill string element, and wherein a welding installation is used that comprises a MIG/MAG type torch, a tool holder, on which the torch is mounted, and a work support, the method comprising the following steps: a. placing a metal part comprising a peripheral surface to be refilled at least partially onto the work support; b. bringing the tool holder with the torch and the work support to an initial relative position where the torch targets a first site on the peripheral surface; c. moving the tool holder and the work support one relative to the other to a final relative position where the torch targets a second site on the peripheral surface, axially spaced apart from the first location; d. activating the torch in cold welding mode during at least part of the relative movement of the tool holder and of the work support in order to adjacently deposit one or more metal filler beads by forming a substantially continuous layer over at least part of the peripheral surface proceeding from the first to the second site, with the torch being activated in cold welding mode during at least part of the simultaneous translation and rotation movement, wherein activating the torch in cold welding mode comprises the following steps: (i) using a short electric arc between the end of an electrode wire and the peripheral surface and advancing the electrode wire relative to the torch towards a bath of material; (ii) removing the electric arc, when part of the electrode wire melts in the welding bath, by reducing the intensity of the current in the electrode wire; and (iii) pulling back the electrode wire relative to the torch in order to deposit a droplet of the filler metal onto the peripheral surface, which detaches itself from the electrode wire. a. placing a metal part comprising a peripheral surface to be refilled at least partially onto the work support; b. bringing the tool holder with the torch and the work support to an initial relative position where the torch targets a first site on the peripheral surface; c. moving the tool holder and the work support one relative to the other to a final relative position where the torch targets a second site on the peripheral surface, axially spaced apart from the first location; d. activating the torch in cold welding mode during at least part of the relative movement of the tool holder and of the work support in order to adjacently deposit one or more metal filler beads by forming a substantially continuous layer over at least part of the peripheral surface proceeding from the first to the second site, with the torch being activated in cold welding mode during at least part of the simultaneous translation and rotation movement, (i) using a short electric arc between the end of an electrode wire and the peripheral surface and advancing the electrode wire relative to the torch towards a bath of material; (ii) removing the electric arc, when part of the electrode wire melts in the welding bath, by reducing the intensity of the current in the electrode wire; and (iii) pulling back the electrode wire relative to the torch in order to deposit a droplet of the filler metal onto the peripheral surface, which detaches itself from the electrode wire.