A method of operating a linear friction welding apparatus includes holding a first work piece with a first fixture, holding a second work piece with a second fixture, pressing the first work piece toward the second work piece along a press axis with a press assembly, establishing a selective load between the first work piece and the second work piece with the press assembly while the first fixture and the second fixture are in a fixed position relative to one another, and simultaneously vibrating, with a vibrating assembly spaced apart from the press axis, the first fixture and the second fixture along a single weld axis so that both the first work piece and the second work piece are moved with respect to one another along the single weld axis after establishing the selective load.