Mig or tig, Which would you choose? Options

[r_towle]

Lots of sheet metal body welding, flares, patching, several cars.
I did use a mig for years, upgraded to gas mig.
My son took it.

So, I’m getting another welder.
I still have a gasless mig, and a scratch start tig
Neither are very good.

So, which would you choose? Why?
Willing to take the time and learn.

Rich

[Rand]

Respect to Brett. My dad made me weld my first exhaust with a torch. I wanted to just mig it. But doing it with a torch and rod was educational.

Tig is for not steel... other metals like aluminum and titanium and such. Duh we know that.

[Brett W]

Respect to Brett. My dad made me weld my first exhaust with a torch. I wanted to just mig it. But doing it with a torch and rod was educational.

Tig is for other metals like aluminum and titanium and such. Duh we know that.

I have never really spent much time with an OA rig. Actually own one, but only use it for heating things. HAHA.

Last year I was at a metal shaping event and did some Oxy Hydrogen welding on aluminum. Talk about crazy. They welded airplanes like that for decades. Anyway all these top level old school coach builders use O/A for the ease of metal shaping after the welding, especially since the welds aren't the focus when its all said and done. I need to practice a lot more.

I use my TIG for steel, stainless, TI, aluminum, Silbronze, and even some Inconel. I do tend to use my MIG more for sheetmetal replacement in cars because it seems to tolerate the weld through primer better than the TIG, plus its easier to well the MIG around the shop, LOL

[Rand]

Respect to Brett. My dad made me weld my first exhaust with a torch. I wanted to just mig it. But doing it with a torch and rod was educational.

Tig is for other metals like aluminum and titanium and such. Duh we know that.

I have never really spent much time with an OA rig. Actually own one, but only use it for heating things. HAHA.

Last year I was at a metal shaping event and did some Oxy Hydrogen welding on aluminum. Talk about crazy. They welded airplanes like that for decades. Anyway all these top level old school coach builders use O/A for the ease of metal shaping after the welding, especially since the welds aren't the focus when its all said and done. I need to practice a lot more.

I use my TIG for steel, stainless, TI, aluminum, Silbronze, and even some Inconel. I do tend to use my MIG more for sheetmetal replacement in cars because it seems to tolerate the weld through primer better than the TIG, plus its easier to well the MIG around the shop, LOL

Tig is an art. Much respect.

[Brett W]

Respect to Brett. My dad made me weld my first exhaust with a torch. I wanted to just mig it. But doing it with a torch and rod was educational.

Tig is for other metals like aluminum and titanium and such. Duh we know that.

I have never really spent much time with an OA rig. Actually own one, but only use it for heating things. HAHA.

Last year I was at a metal shaping event and did some Oxy Hydrogen welding on aluminum. Talk about crazy. They welded airplanes like that for decades. Anyway all these top level old school coach builders use O/A for the ease of metal shaping after the welding, especially since the welds aren't the focus when its all said and done. I need to practice a lot more.

I use my TIG for steel, stainless, TI, aluminum, Silbronze, and even some Inconel. I do tend to use my MIG more for sheetmetal replacement in cars because it seems to tolerate the weld through primer better than the TIG, plus its easier to well the MIG around the shop, LOL

Tig is an art. Much respect.

After trying Gas welding, I have to say, its much harder. There is no pedal to dial the amperage back, its just a dance with the torch. However they say, "if you can gas weld, you can TIG weld". Apparently its not quite the same going backwards. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/welder.gif)

[Superhawk996]

Duplicate

[Superhawk996]

After trying Gas welding, I have to say, its much harder. There is no pedal to dial the amperage back, its just a dance with the torch. However they say, "if you can gas weld, you can TIG weld". Apparently its not quite the same going backwards. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/welder.gif)

TIG is a lot easier if you can already gas weld.

Done with Oxy Acetylene



MIG is a lot easier to learn and to lay down a serviceable weld for those not inclined to learn TIG and gas techniques that need simultaneous control of heat and filler material.

TIG allows for more control over the weld puddle but with that comes more opportunity to screw things up. Contaminated electrodes & lots time to contemplate the meaning of life while grinding electrodes. Need lots of different electrodes, cup sizes and gas lenses, collets. It all adds adds up -$ cha ching. Overall TIG is a slow welding process but can produce beautiful welds. TIG allows for overhead welding without being in a shower of MIG sparks. To TiG out of position on a car, you’re going to quickly find that you need an amptrol up on the torch. Air cooled TiG torches will quickly get too hot to handle if you are welding at high current (welding copper or thick aluminum).

TIG welded copper:


MIG for the win for the average home shop.

Serviceable flux core weld made in freezing cold weather with a breeze. Fused thin wall galvanized pipe with a piece thick cold rolled steel that was machined. Done with an old 90s era Italian 110v MIG with only 4 finite heat ranges. Easy.




It really is all about choosing the best welding process for the job at hand.

For the cost of a good TIG set up and torch amptrol you could buy an amazing MIG rig, a set of really nice gas torches, fluxes, and high end goggles for welding aluminum and still have spare change. Then you can focus on learning welding skills that will later pay off if you find you still want to TIG.