MIG vs TIG, which course to take?

[96r50]

Having read about and seen all the pretty pictures of stuff folks have been building for their trucks, I want to learn some more about welding. I did an Oxy-Acetylene welding course last year (night school) and now that I'm back at school fulltime I would like to use the opportunity to take another welding course. However, I'm not sure which course to take, the MIG course or the TIG course. I am eligible for each course, they both cost the same, and they are the same length (8 four-hour classes).

What type of welding do most folks here use/do? I'm not about to run out and buy a bunch of welding equipment, but I would like the ability to competently use the equipment at a shop or at a friends house. I'm not looking at building bicycle frames or kitchen sinks, I'm interested in things like sliders, plate bumpers or tube bumpers, fixing tractors, building trailers, exhausts, and other general use types of welding. I'll leave the super precise stuff to the pros, but I would like to be able to do structural types of welding and be reasonably sure that it will hold (don't worry, I won't be building any roll cages or other lifesaving bits). A good friend of mine said that if I take the TIG course now it would be pretty easy to pick up the MIG skills with some time and practice. Any thoughts?


These are the two course descriptions:

MIG: This process is faster and cleaner than arc welding and is used in industry for its high productivity. You will learn on the most modern equipment available and will set up and adjust these machines to produce high quality welds. Welding theory and general maintenance are also covered. NOTE: Students are required to bring their own safety glasses. (32 hours)

TIG: Precise control and practice can reward the welder with a process that can weld almost any metal. Basic operation and set up of this machine will lead you to the welding of steel, stainless steel, and aluminum. Our machines are equipped with the most modern features available. NOTE: Students are required to bring their own safety glasses. Prerequisite: Oxy-Acetylene Welding. (32 hours)


So what says 'MUD?

 

[bsevans]

Personally, I would take the MIG class and become proficient with that welding method. MIG welding is much faster than TIG. Take the TIG class last. I know that there are those on IH8MUD that would disagree, but if I only owned one welder it would be a dual voltage inverter MIG.

 

[Awl_TEQ]

TIG is IMO the way to make a custom header or other precise type stuff but the rest of the things you mentioned like sliders and bumper are great with a MIG. The way I see it TIG is for fine work on thin metal and MIG is for thicker more structural stuff. Having said that - a MIG can do patches in bodywork and I have TIG welds on my round tubing on my bumper (for pretty welds). The main bar and shackle mounts are all MIG (for strength)

Yeah, I know it's rusty. It will be blasted and powder coated.

 

[96r50]

Cool bumper! My brother was out in Calgary this summer and he said he saw a lot of Cruisers out there.

If I only have the option of doing one of the courses, which one would be better? Would it be easy to pick up TIG welding after the MIG course, or would it be easier to learn MIG after a TIG course?

 

[Awl_TEQ]

MIG is point and shoot. Pretty simple once you know how to judge your Amps and penetration. TIG is a little harder with both hands and one foot co-ordinating movements to make a good looking bead.

Taking the TIG course will give you the basics of melting metal together and may give you an appreciation of fine work. That mind set will translate to a MIG and keep your expectations of your self high. Don't get me wrong - I've seen guys lay down some awesome beads with a MIG and I have a MIG in my garage, not a TIG.

Another thought occurred to me - TIG work is generally bench top stuff and MIG work is generally out on the shop floor type stuff. There are exceptions as always.

my 2cents

 

[MOfj40]

I'm finishing up a TIG course right now- definitely take the TIG class. MIG is very easy to pick up, especially once you've got TIG experience.

I was ok with MIG but not exceptional prior to taking the TIG class. I've noticed over the last couple months that my MIG skills have vastly improved even though I've spent 90% of my welding time using TIG.

 

[likewelders]

I really like TIG and Oxy/Acet the best, and yes it TIG is harder. But the work comes out so nice. I will pick up another MIG soon for speeding up old trailer projects, golf cart work, lawn mowers/decks, grills, etc. Things that do not have to look good.

A TIG will normally cost more than a MIG if you have not bought them, that is something to think about too.

 

[haystax]

If you are simply interested in learning the concept and using the school's machines then go for the TIG classes. TIG is much more difficult than MIG and requires more attention to detail in terms of setup and prep and is much more labor intensive and slower in production than MIG.

If you are looking to purchase a welder and apply your skills, then I would have to recommend the MIG. A spool gun for aluminum is expensive but also much easier to master than TIG.

 

[Cruiserdrew]

You want to take the MIG class. Every bumper built by all of the known builders in the Cruiser world=MIG. All production welding in the automotive industry=MIG welding. All the home brew projects you've seen on IH8MUD=MIG welding. Let's face it, you are not building aircraft here.

MIG is also cheaper(price a TIG machine vs a MIG machine-that will convince you right there!), easier to learn, better for the usual thickness of materials we use every day, and much more forgiving. It's also faster-3-4 times faster which is important on a larger project.

TIG is cool, and makes very pretty welds, it just isn't that applicable to Land Cruiser welding projects.

 

[fj40charles]

I'd take the TIG class. Much easier to obtain info. and learn about using MIG welders than TIG. Use the TIG class to learn how to look a the weld puddle. TIG is used for welding thick materials as well as thinner metals all the time.

 

[Pin_Head]

I will go out on a limb and say take them both. 32 hours of instruction and practice really isn't that much. To be a well rounded welder also take a stick class.

 

[kulangot]

I'd have to agree, take both and to add to stick, take an Oxy-Fuel class too.

I took a hundred hour long class and learned a lot. If I had time, I'd take more classes...

If you could just take one class, I'd take Mig. If you could have just one welder, I'd buy a Mig. BUT, I'd say that mig is easy to learn but that it's hard to master. AND, just because it's easy does not mean it's done correctly. A class will do a lot to teach you good habits and bad ones are hard to break. TIG and Stick are harder to learn but are also great skills so it gas welding but 90 plus percent of what you will need is Mig.

 

[turbocruiser]

Wow, an almost 50/50 split here from folks! I think the first thing to consider is cost before you basically decide on doing any of the three courses offered there. If you can't (shouldn't) afford a TIG (a real TIG not a conversion of some sort) then don't take the class, go MIG in terms of the training and the equipment. If cost isn't a concern then consider the projects that you are gonna do short term and long term. If in the long term you KNOW you will eventually want to do Aluminum, go straight to the TIG and learn MIG later which will seem so simple after perfecting TIG usage. BTW when I was in the same thought process many moons ago I was almost SURE I'd never ever never work with Al and now there's a thousand projects that I'd love to do if I only had a TIG and some Aluminum!!! Looking back on it though I'm totally happy I started with MIG; as others already stated here you just aren't gonna crawl on your back and bust welds under the underside of your trailer or rig or whatever with a TIG. HTH.

 

[ducktapeguy]

I've taken both, and if I had to choose only one, it would be TIG, just because it is more difficult to learn without training. If you've taken oxy-acetylene, then TIG should be kinda similar. If you learn TIG, some of the basic knowledge and technique is somewhat applicable to MIG welding, but not so much the other way around.

MIG is pretty easy to pick up on your own with just a little practice, it's point and shoot. That's why they're so popular. You can buy a welding book or watch someone do it, and just start practicing and become pretty good at it. I'm sure quite a few of the people who own Mig welders didn't take any formal training, they learn by doing and come up with amazing results.

Tig on the other hand, is a lot harder to just figure out on your own and is more dependent on technique. You can read all you want, but it still not the same as getting hands on training with an instructor who can watch what you're doing and correct your mistakes.

 

[likewelders]

96r50, I think what ducktapeguy said makes a lot of since far as instruction. And there is a lot of great input here from all for you, but if you are looking to take a class you want to learn. Others, including myself mentioned cost of TIG and it's a bit harder. But that is part of your choice and wallet.

Tig on the other hand, is a lot harder to just figure out on your own and is more dependent on technique. You can read all you want, but it still not the same as getting hands on training with an instructor who can watch what you're doing and correct your mistakes.

Ducktapeguy hit the nail on the head, with a class, you make mistakes and get years of experience telling you what you did wrong, why it is wrong and how to do it right. And maybe an old story from the instructors past (pretend like you are interested). The class is worth it. I still vote TIG if you have the cash. And you have an Oxy/Acet class under your belt too so that will help a lot on TIG.

Old story, pretend like your interested. The first TIG I used was at a Lincon demo booth. Welded two pieces of 1/4" no filler, guy got me two more. Then the guy asked "Do you own a TIG"? I said no, but plan on it one day, they're too expensive. Next question was "do you own an Ocy/Acet set?" I said yes.. It does help.

Best of luck.

 

[Arya Ebrahimi]

I'd say take a stick class. I took a predominantly stick welding class with a little bit of mig and tig thrown in, but the most valuable part of the class was learning to manipulate the puddle which is the hardest with stick IMO. Once you have really mastered stick welding, the rest is easy. TIG is an art as much as a skill and if you don't plan on using it in the future, I think you'll get far more benefit from a stick class. If there isn't a stick class, and it has to be either MIG or TIG, I'd say TIG. Puddle control is what it boils down to IMO and stick or TIG will teach you that way better than a MIG class I think.

 

[96r50]

Thanks for all the replies! I think I'm going to take the TIG class for all the reasons mentioned above, and because I will probably have the opportunity to pick up the basics of MIG later on from friends who have MIG welders.

 

[haystax]

Thanks for all the replies! I think I'm going to take the TIG class for all the reasons mentioned above, and because I will probably have the opportunity to pick up the basics of MIG later on from friends who have MIG welders.

The basics are the same with all methods - you heat some metal, make it into a puddle, then repeat. Delivery method of the heat and puddle are the only differences between all weld processes if you get right down to it.

I think you are making a wise choice with the TIG class, the theory and skill of it will carry over to any other process.

It would be more difficult to teach a monkey to use a welding helmet than it would be to teach proficiency with a MIG machine.

 

[cruiserbrett]

Take the MIG class first and then the TIG class. You will learn important metalurgy info in any class, but the control of variables in the TIG class is the key. Almost anyone with a little time can get decent welds with MIG, but the TIG welding class is going to make any of your welding methods better.

With that said, if you are really looking to do only what you mentioned project wise, MIG class is fine.

What would be the best is to take a class where they do some destructive and non destructive testing on your welds. that will open up your eyes to welding in general. there are plenty of good looking MIG and great looking TIG welds that arent structurally sound.

 

[GLTHFJ60]

Interesting. I'm trying to get into welding after reading up on the different types and I was leaning toward TIG before reading this thread. I would love to take a TIG class, but not everyone offers them and they're not cheap.