Welder choices

[cooldry]

I know there are different situations to use different welders. But, if you could only choose one, which one would it be?

[Seanz0rz]

mig, easy, can weld most anything, quick, etc.

[Bob98SR5]

mig for its versatility

[04 Rocko Taco]

I chose MIG....and you just sold me one!! :) Thanks!

[Good Times]

Mig cuz that's the only thing I know how to use. Gotta learn TIG but that won't be anytime soon. Bruce? wanna teach me :)

[cooldry]

I chose MIG....and you just sold me one!! :) Thanks!


Hey Chris, I hope you're having fun with it. I got the TIG because I thought it would be more veratile and be able to weld a wider range of materials. But now I want to know if a TIG is all I really need or should I have a MIG as well. Don't worry, I won't ask for it back. :D My significant other is going to love this one when I tell her, I might want a MIG again when I just sold mine. :screwy:

[cooldry]

I noticed everyone is a MIG welder, I'd like to hear from some people that have experience in TIG also.

[waskillywabbit]

MIG as you can change wire/gas just like on a TIG for a variety of materials.

:guitar:

[Cebby]

I have both. For speed, you can't beat a MIG. FWIW, I sold my Lincoln 135 to get a Millermatic 210 - I've been kicking myself ever since - I should have kept the 110v welder also. There are a lot of things where I could have used it.

I bought the TIG primarily for AL, but have yet to do anything with it other than play around. I have used it on steel and have gotten some nice strong and good looking welds. I'm impatient though, so I usually grab the MIG first.

[waskillywabbit]

Yes, I have a Pro Mig 135 and a MM 251 and I use the smaller one 10 times as much, but when I need heavy duty...the MM 251 can handle it no problem.

:guitar:

[cooldry]

I guess I should've posted this before I sold my MIG :laugh: :tease:

[xonetruthcrewx]

I have a Lincoln Pro Mig 140. It has been awesome. Mig for sure.

[Cheese]

MIG is easier to learn, easier to appear good at and easier to weld stuff on the rig, out of position and with less than ideal prep. Also probably easier to find instruction, etc.

TIG is more of a gentleman's welder. I always feel like I should be making more noise than just buzzing along.

You can set up a MIG for AL.

I don't stick weld well, so I don't like them.

[4runnerchevy]

A mig machine that can reverse polarity and GAS, running mild steel, flux core, or a dual shield, you cannot beat it. I run TIG for only bench jobs and the beauty of it.

[Robinhood4x4]

Mig because it's easier. Tig takes a lot more skill and practice to get good.

Stick also takes more practice to get good, but it does make pretty beads.

For those who have mig welded Al, how well does it turn out? Is it easy like steel?

[Seanz0rz]

For those who have mig welded Al, how well does it turn out? Is it easy like steel?

very curious myself

[Bob98SR5]

x2 on what cheese said re welding out of position. try imagining TIG'g a seam weld while welding upside down. i cant even imagine

[Tankota]

I run a Hobart Ironman 210 mig. Versatile, quick, easy, less cleanup than stick too.

TIG is great for bench jobs. But imagine trying to press the foot pedal while laying on our back, supporting the bumper with your nees, AND holding both the torch and filer rod. :clap: hell no.

I would also like to try migging aluminum some time.

[BruceTS]

TIG is great for bench jobs. But imagine trying to press the foot pedal while laying on our back, supporting the bumper with your nees, AND holding both the torch and filer rod. :clap: hell no.

That's why they have finger controls avaliable......

Using MIG for aluminum is a PITA, it takes alot of heat and doesn't come out as clean as TIG. Mainly due to feed control, TIG you only add filler when needed.

TIG is very similar to Ox/Act gas welding, just faster...... For me it was easy to pick up since I have plenty of experience gas welding.

Stick is just plain messy, considering all the slag.....

Overall MIG is by far the best choice, if you could only have "ONE" welder.

[4runnerchevy]

Welding aluminum with a mig is alright with a high powered machine, but Tig is much better for it. As long as you are not welding structure, mig with mild steel wire is ideal for truck welding. For steel structure (buildings, amusement rides), engineers always call out 7018 stick, Dual Shield, or a Flux Core. Being certified in all of the above, I take MIG with mild steel for my truck welds.

[cooldry]

I was thinking last night. I was wondering why I was so set on a TIG welder. Then all of the sudden it hit me. I want to do more than just weld things for the truck. Once the bumper is done, there really isn't much more I need to weld. Maybe a little here and there, but I'd really like to try building my own bicycle and build other things where a nice weld would be visually appealing. So I think I will stick with the TIG for now. Thanks everyone for all the great input. I look forward to posting up some of the stuff I will eventually make. For now I guess practice, practice, practice. :thumbup:

[Tankota]

TIG is great for bench jobs. But imagine trying to press the foot pedal while laying on our back, supporting the bumper with your nees, AND holding both the torch and filer rod. :clap: hell no.

That's why they have finger controls avaliable......

Using MIG for aluminum is a PITA, it takes alot of heat and doesn't come out as clean as TIG. Mainly due to feed control, TIG you only add filler when needed.

TIG is very similar to Ox/Act gas welding, just faster...... For me it was easy to pick up since I have plenty of experience gas welding.

Stick is just plain messy, considering all the slag.....

Overall MIG is by far the best choice, if you could only have "ONE" welder.


As you can tell, I'm no experienced TIG welder.
So how does the finger control work, is it like a trigger on the torch unit.

[BruceTS]

As you can tell, I'm no experienced TIG welder.
So how does the finger control work, is it like a trigger on the torch unit.



http://www.millerwelds.com/images/products/accessories/RCC-14RemoteContactor.jpg

RCC-14 Remote Contactor and Current Control

For Miller solid-state power sources after Serial No. JK674521. Side-to-side rotary-motion fingertip control fastens to TIG torch with Velcro® straps. Includes 26.5 ft contol cord and 14-pin plug. Great for production or contractors needing quick ramp-up.


http://www.millerwelds.com/images/products/accessories/RCCS-14RemoteContactor.jpg

RCCS-14 Remote Contactor and Current Control

For Miller solid-state power sources after Serial No. JK674521. Up/Down rotary-motion fingertip control fastens to TIG torch using Velcro® straps. Includes 26.5 ft control cord. Great for applications that require finer amperage control. Uses 14 pin plug.


http://www.millerwelds.com/products/accessories/remote_controls/

[glenyoshida]

I think for most vehicle related welding MIG is best. The majority of projects are going to be with mild steel often 16 gauge or thicker. Welding long beads with TIG is slow and the Argon gets expensive. For example I have about 1/4th of my rear bumper done and I've gone through about 1.5 tanks of argon at $60 a tank. MIG is also easier to use for someone that doesn't weld everyday. However if you think you are going to be doing some tinkering at home with a variety of different metals or the quality of the weld is very important TIG might be the way to go. With TIG you can do mild steel, chromoly, aluminum, copper, titanium, just about any metal (assuming you buy a machine capable of A/C and D/C) With most TIG welders you can stick weld as well. You just replace your gas fed torch with one that holds stick. So if you do have a quick and dirty job you can still do it. There's also a bit of comfort factor. I often just wear a long sleeve shirt with I TIG because TIG does not pop and splatter. Oh, one last thing. While TIG is a little harder to learn on you have the best control of the weld. You can sit on a weld puddle, grow it or shrink it on the fly. The control and quality is why race cars and airplane parts are made with TIG. A good TIG welder (not me) can weld metal as thin as a pop can.

In case you didn't know you can get a combo unit that does it all. You can get a unit that does MIG, TIG and Stick. I know a guy that just bought a SnapOn for around $2000 with a 100% duty cycle welding 1/4" steel. You have to get the aluminum spool gun to MIG aluminum and a TIG torch but it can do it all. Very nice machine from the looks of it.

FWIW I ended up getting a TIG rationalizing that I'd rather weld slow on the few projects I do than be restricted by metal type.