TIG or MIG? (1 Viewer)

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Fantom

Fantom

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So thanks to all of the work I've been doing lately I have the opportunity to upgrade my welder. The choices I've narrowed down to either the Miller MIG 252 that has the option of running 2 guns with different types of spools (that would come later) or the Miller Syncrowave 200 TIG. Right now they are about the same price.
I know the benefits and set backs of both but now I just have to figure our which to go for. The MIG is nice as it is a one hand operation and it's literally point and shoot but the TIG is a lot more versatile and the only thing you need to change metals is different rods. On the other hand the TIG is a PIA if you have to do on the vehicle welding especially in tighter spots. The MIG is easier to fit into that application. Any suggestions? I already am pretty sure which unit I will go with but I want to see if anyone else has something I have not thought of.
:cheers:
 
Well, like you say - depends on what you will be doing most of the time. I bought a Lincoln 180 MIG and will buy a TIG later on. There is no way to get something that will do everything I want with just one unit. So, my advice, buy a cheaper good quality MIG and a very good quality TIG - not necessarily in that order - buy what you need first.

Regards

Louis
 
I have the brand new miller 252 with dual guns the wire feed gun and the optional spool gun for aluminium. Tig is great but only really designed for doing light work and short work you wouldn't wanna run a 3 foot bead with it would take you forever. whenever I need something tigged like a stainless manifold or exhaust pipe I usually just tack it with my mig in two spots or so and take it to a shop to get it tigged.
 
I say mig. Like above I feel tig is for small work.

If you can imagine gas welding a bumper together that is how I feel tig would be. I've had many an aircraft part repaired by tig welders. Generally it is for kinda precision work.

I have a Lincoln mig pak 15 I think... its the 240 volt model canadian tire sells. My unit is very similar to the 185 sp, ut doesn't have as high of rating for thicker metal. The dial doesn't go all the way up there for heat.

My next welder is going to be a heavy arc welder. something to handle the thicker stuff. Cheap to use and no bottles.

Although I would like a nice gas setup as well.
 
I concur with the group, buy yourself the nicest MIG you can afford. There is a huge difference between a Miller machine and say a Hobart. Your not only paying for the name but a lot of high quality parts. With a nice TIG (AC/CD Pulse) you could weld anything, albeit slowly. A MIG is fast and with the optional spool guns (and a variety of gases) you can weld AL or SS. Again, I suggest the highest amperage machine you can afford.
GG
 
get the 252, if you get it with the spool gun your laughing, how much are you REALLY going to weld aluminum? The tig is nice but to work 100% Everything must be sterale. And as we all know as landcruiser owners our trucks are dirty and rusty. go with the mig
 
I currently have a Lincoln 110 (or something like that) and it did fine but I've had my eye on the 252 since they came out with it. It is so versatile you can control everything in it, the time for the arc to begin, the time for the gas, you can set it up for stitch welding and never let go of the trigger, etc. The TIG is nice as you can change materials by only using different rods and the welds can turn into art work but it does take a while. Looks like it is going to be the 252, maybe I'll even be able to swing the extra gun at the same time.
KMS is the place I'll be buying, close to home and the shop and the guys always treated me well and more importantly put up with me drooling over the welders and asking endless questions. Maybe one day I'll get a TIG as well. Damn, I was hoping someone would convince me to buy a TIG.
 
you should check out coast welding in burnaby they are the largest independent miller dealer ( i used to deliver welders to them ) they get stock every other day and because of our dollar are buying at the curent exchange rate , and maybe able to pass savings onto you , another place in port kells , cant rember the place but when i was looking at welders they were about %20 lower than kms and when i mentioned it to kms they told me this place wasn't an "authorized" distributor aparently they buy them from the states them selves and resell them !
 
the place in port kells you are thinking of I believe they are called pacific gasco just off of 192 right?? they do have good prices I bought my 252 when KMs was having there big sale on the full set up dual cyl. rack dual gun ETc. and they gave me a bit of a break on everything cause I did it all with one BIG cheque. gas bottles new helmets ETc.
 
Fantom said:
The TIG is nice as you can change materials by only using different rods and the welds can turn into art work but it does take a while.
Click to expand...

It's not only rods, you will need at least two different types of gases, depending on what your welding. Argon/Helium mix for Al. Argon/Hydrogen for SS. Now I'm sure the welders in here will clarify this, and Argon would probably work for all materials. But still, it's more consumables.
GG
 
Thanks for the info on the place where to buy. I'll check them out soon. Phil I know there is a couple more things to it, still for changing materials it is a bit quicker and easier as well as the welds do have a nicer finish. That said and with the 252 having so many different programming options you can get a very nice finish with it as well and it, in the long run, will be more useful for the application.
Brad, what do you think of it so far? Any complaints? What are you welding with it and how is the extra gun performing?
 
well I like it alot so far I've welded up a new simple front bumper for my truck with material from 3/16 to 3/8 welds awsome no problems with the drive or anything. and I've played around with the spoolgun on some aluminum it looks fine to me but definitly room for some improvement on finish but I love how I can go between spoolgun and mig so seemlessly cause both guns remember there settings. if you are really worried about finish product look into I believe its the 350 it has pulse on the gun so it makes a very very nice finish on aluminum closest I've seen to TIG anyways
 
You can get pulse on a MIG? Very cool!! That would be the way to go. Even with TIG if it doesn't have pulse it would show just how crappy I weld. With pulse I look like a pro.
GG
 
Fantom said:
Oh I can't wait! something tells me that I'll be welding anything I can get my hands on just for the hell of it.
Thanks
Click to expand...

Hmmm. Seeing I don't weld, maybe I can get you to do some things just for practice, like modding my stock winch bar into a real winch bar? Beers and material? :)
 
Thanks for the link to that thread. For the most part I know the main differences between the units, TIG does take a bit more time to do and the metal needs to be clean, where as MIG is quicker and a lot more forgiving, I just wanted to know what other info was out there. So the decision is made, I just have to wait for the last cheque to come in from a client and I am the proud new owner of a Miller 252, I might even be able to swing the extra spool gun.
 
As for selling the Lincoln, we'll see. I still like the little guy and it is an awesome unit, runs on 110V I can push it and weld up to 1/4 thick without issues and is small. If I have the space I will likely keep it just because it allows me to do field work (sometimes recquired in my job), if not then I will sell it.
 
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