Tig versus Torch, Which one Options

[r_towle]

Hi,

So, Mig welds are hardened and cannot be hammered to much.
Tig welds are really small but I believe they are also hardened so they cant be hammered.
Torch can be hammered.

I also want to weld aluminum.
Torch and Tig can both do this.

Torch has the added benefit of being a red hot wrench which comes in handy in the rust belts.

Torch can also cut...which is good.

So, which would you guys buy? Tig or Torch.
I already have mig...its just not good for sheet metal butt joints...I like smooth metal.

RIch

[Porcharu]

Take a look here metal god
I have some of his videos showing repairing an aluminum racecar nose (I think it was Porsche to boot) he took a hatchet to it and had it welded up and ready for the body shop in about 15 minutes - using a torch. The big issue with a torch is getting on small enough for sheet-metal work, those 'journeymen sets' you see at the welding shops are for welding and cutting very thick steel and absolutely suck with sheet-metal - they will do nothing but pop and blow holes in your welds and you will get frustrated. They are also heavy. Get yourself a nice 'aircraft welding set' this is made for welding thin tubing and sheet metal and works fantastic, the one I have is made by Smith and I sprung for the ultra light hoses and it is a nice setup. I made a tank last year and it was a snap. You can pound on a torch weld all you want - I have cracked TIG beads and aluminum sheet is really bad in this respect.
Even though I have a TIG I mostly use the MIG (to get the job done quick and would not be without for basic welding) and the little torch. I will be using it for my flares when I get to that point.
I do like the TIG when it's the right way to go - it's also clean and quiet and I sometimes will use it late at night when I would normally use the MIG.