This study deals with high power Nd:YAG laser welding of thin steels for small pressure vessels. Full penetration welding at the overlap joint was performed so as to assure sufficient weld strength. Results showed that mid-depth weld size reduced drastically with increasing the travel speed. Position of focus had little effect on the bead formation even though short focal system was used. However, the shape factor and the bead width had closely related with the position of focus. Based on the microstructural inspection, acceptable weld was obtained when the overlap clearance was controlled up to 20% of the base metal thickness. In the case that the joint contained more clearance than the critical value, both the tensile shear strength and the tear strength were reduced. Results also demonstrated that shielding gases were proved to play a key role as far as the bead formation characteristics was taken into consideration. Blowing dry air through 5mm in diameter nozzle produced narrower bead cross-section than that of argon or nitrogen shielding.