MIG vs TIG, which course to take?

[151fab]

Learn TIG! Every other type of welding comes easy if you're proficient at TIG. I've TIG-ed for almost twenty years, because of that I was good at Mig in about 8 hours, I could stick weld (flat) good the first time I burned a rod, and I had dual-shield vertical unlimited down within thirty hours. Anyone can teach themselves MIG in no time. Pick up the Hobart MIG welding leason-book (about 10 bucks) and practice, you'll learn MIG quick enough.

 

[GLTHFJ60]

I just learned TIG today and I gotta say it was pretty easy to pick up. My welds aren't pretty but I've been told that will come with practice. After learning this process, I'm not sure I would want to do MIG or stick, at least when I had the choice.

I can't wait to go out and do some more!

 

[Pin_Head]

After learning this process, I'm not sure I would want to do MIG or stick, at least when I had the choice.

!

The more processes you master the better because all of them have their strengths and weaknesses. The strenght of TIG is its control and versatility, but it is relatively slow. You don't want to TIG weld outside in the wind either. Mig can deposit more metal fast and it may be easier to learn, but it is also easier to make a bad weld without it being immediately obvious from looking at it, especially to an untrained observer. The proper size, shape and depth of the puddle is key, but this is easier to observe with slow processes, like TIG and OA than MIG or stick, where the electrode is being consumed. The traditional old school way to learn welding was to start with OA and then move on to stick or MIG. Some places still teach it that way.