Tig or Mig?

[lowtideride]

I have been using a 135 hobart on .30 flux core wire for some time. But it was my buddies, since we came together to get tools we took turns getting tools we both need (i.e. bender, welder)...Well he lives a better distance away now, and I need to purchase a welder.

I see Tig welders dont seem to be much more than the mig welders...But is it worth it? I have been using a Mig and an Arc before that for years now, I have seen what a Tig welder can do. But have never used one myself, but would like to try.

Since I would only have one welder, is Tig useful on everything? or will I be wishing it was a mig to zip thru whatever I was welding...


I was thinking that maybe a 135-140 Mig with a gas setup would be better...


Any I deas would be cool,
-Al

 

[e9999]

well, sure seems like TIGs are more versatile but I don't know enough about them to tell for sure.

OTOH, the guy from Extreme 4x4 yesterday was saying that "if you don't plan on doing a lot of aluminium, save your $$ and get a MIG" or something to that effect IIRC. Of course, that was just a sound bite and you would not want to trust this without more serious research.

 

[LukeZero]

Just about anyone can learn to MIG weld and keep the joints strong, and attractive. There aren't very many people around that can do the same with TIG. The guys that are good at TIG make it look easy. The rest of us make it look impossible.

That said, I'd like to get better at TIG- but I cannot justify $2000+ just to try and practice.

 

[fj40charles]

Which tig welders are you looking at to compare to mig welders? Most decent brand name tig welders will be considerably more than mig welders. You can get a good deal on a used tig if you're patient and/or lucky.

If you're going to have only 1 welder, get a mig. Don't waste you time on a 110v unit unless you plan on only welding 3/16" or thinner metals.

A would buy a 180 amp class 220V welder as a minimum.

 

[lowtideride]

Which tig welders are you looking at to compare to mig welders? Most decent brand name tig welders will be considerably more than mig welders. You can get a good deal on a used tig if you're patient and/or lucky.

If you're going to have only 1 welder, get a mig. Don't waste you time on a 110v unit unless you plan on only welding 3/16" or thinner metals.

A would buy a 180 amp class 220V welder as a minimum.

You just pointed out a flaw in my thinking so far. I forgot that the tig needs a 220...I guess that wen out the window in a hurry. I need a 110 becuase I end up welding at 3 different locations not all of them have the 220...

So I guess its a 140 with some gas...

Thanks for the help anyway, I wish I would have thought this thru before posting ah well...need aanother cup of coffee I guess (mondays)

 

[fj40charles]

You just pointed out a flaw in my thinking so far. I forgot that the tig needs a 220...I guess that wen out the window in a hurry. I need a 110 becuase I end up welding at 3 different locations not all of them have the 220...

So I guess its a 140 with some gas...

Thanks for the help anyway, I wish I would have thought this thru before posting ah well...need aanother cup of coffee I guess (mondays)

You can buy tig welders that will accept 110v or 220v (Miller Dynasty 200DX), but it will cost you. Dynasty 200DX equipped with run $2800+

 

[Dave-T]

I was thinking that maybe a 135-140 Mig with a gas setup would be better...

Agree. As cool as TIG is, mig is much easier. Having used both, I would go for a mig w/gas any day for the things I need a welder for.

 

[reffug]

I'd got mig but thats what I have used and actually can turn stuff out that looks decent with it, also the $ difference is enough to say no to the tig for me.

Sides dat when am I ever gonna mess with AL.

 

[lowtideride]

I'd got mig but thats what I have used and actually can turn stuff out that looks decent with it, also the $ difference is enough to say no to the tig for me.

Sides dat when am I ever gonna mess with AL.

Haha

 

[theo]

Keep in mind that a decent TIG is really 3 arc welders in 1: Shielded gas stick (steel), tungsten (steel), tungsten (aluminum). It's not a straight comparison between TIG and MIG.

But I agree there's a steep learning curve and a part-time home welder can't really justify the extra 2 grand. At least not rationally. I did it through self-deception and obstinance. Worked pretty good!

 

[brian]

Keep in mind that a decent TIG is really 3 arc welders in 1: Shielded gas stick (steel), tungsten (steel), tungsten (aluminum).

false.

in order to tig aluminum, you need a machine with high freq, a pulser would'nt hurt, but is not needed.
the miller dynasty has this, it will also run on whatever power you plug it in to, but you pay through the nose for it.
we have found that they do not do alum very well.

stick welding is also not limited to steel by any means

miller also makes two other smaller machines, the maxstars. not sure of the sizes 150 and 180 maybe....i have one of each in the truck. the small box is a great tig rig, but lacks the amperage to do the stick thing very well when pluged intio 110v.
the heavier machine does better, but is still lacking in the stick department when running 110v. plug either into 220v and it's a whole other story.


in your case, you really are better off getting the squirt gun.

 

[El Cazador]

Some of the Millers come with a spool gun for aluminum. At least my 210 did but I've never used it. Also, you can weld stainless with a mig, with the right wire and the correct gas mixture of course. Overall I like the mig for the ease & versitality. That being said, I have a tig & love it but got it at a very good price from a guy who just didn't need it any more. So keep your eyes open (not eBaby for sure) in craigslist or the recycler websites and something will likely present itself that might fit your needs and budget.
Vic
Redlands, CA.

 

[honk]

Nbody wants to mention that tig is a lot slower than mig? That the chance to contaminate the weld goes up fivefold compared to mig? And how about how damned hot the gun gets without watercooling when you go to make a fairly long tig weld?

Tig welding can produce might fine work but you pay a high price to get it, a price that is only partly made of dollars.

 

[brian]

That the chance to contaminate the weld goes up fivefold compared to mig?
.

actually tig will produce a much cleaner weld.
with mig, you could ''bury'' crap before it gets cooked out. the tig arc will not cut crap like mig can. if your weldment is ''dirty'' tig will not weld it. paint, oil and grease mig can cut, it won't like it...at all, but it will do it. tig does not even like teh mill scale found on hot rolled steel. teh tig can alittle junk, but not much. since you're hanging out longer, that crap has a chance to cook out.
yeah you can dip tungsten, but unless you're doing xray stuff, nobody will know.

both will be quite unhappy if the gas gets blown away.

 

[honk]

I think people would do well if they tried to treat every weld they make with whichever process as though it MIGHT be xrayed someday. They can't all be perfect but everbody can try to make them perfect.

Brian, I know that sometimes it's the practical way to get the job done but I've never thought much of the attitude that's expressed by saying things like "don't worry about it - nobody will know".

 

[LukeZero]

I think people would do well if they tried to treat every weld they make with whichever process as though it MIGHT be xrayed someday. They can't all be perfect but everbody can try to make them perfect.

Brian, I know that sometimes it's the practical way to get the job done but I've never thought much of the attitude that's expressed by saying things like "don't worry about it - nobody will know".

When I worked in a tool and die shop in College, there was an oldtimer there that was fond of saying.

"If you don't have time to do it right, do you really have time to re-do it?"

 

[RHINO]

tig is definitely more versatile,,, but it is a process, more involved, slower and it can be difficult in certain positions. tig requires very good fit-up and clean parts,, if you dont know what your doing with the whole process your not getting your moneys worth out of the machine.
mig on the other hand is an easy process, proper setup and technique yields an extremely strong and good looking joint. out of position, one hand and less than perfect fit-up is all ok with a mig.

 

[reffug]

Sides dat when am I ever gonna mess with AL.

Haha

I figured you would get it........

 

[Moby]

I've been debating the same question. I've been gas welding and I'm wondering how hard it is to make the jump from gas to TIG. Any thoughts?

 

[tucsonlx]

I have a Lincoln Invertec V200. It has a 220 input of only 35 amps or so max and an output of 200 amps. Puts down a pretty good bead on up to about 1/8th inch. I think it would weld 1/4 inch but my little torch gets really really warm over about 130 amps. I built a couple of bumpers with it and just did the thicker stuff with stick. Puts down beautiful beads on stainless though and great for thin stuff and I am not that great of a welder. I like Tig but I think for most uses people would find Mig easier and more usefull for their purposes (especially on this forum)