MIG or TIG: Which is better?

[FlaDon]

Red, blue, grey, and black. It isn't the color but the operator that makes the difference. :thumbsup:

 

[ModMech]

Don,

That is Soooooo true and can be said for MANY things in life.

 

[_RaT_]

Certainly, the Blue line is more than a bit arbitrary, but for my uses my equipment has been excellent. The problem with most equipment is "operator deficiency". That is certainly the case with me. Having spent thousands of hours on the hot end of "red" machines, I know they are just fine

Your uncles observation on the consumables is, what I call, the Gillette school of marketing. "Giv'em the razor, sell'em the blades!"

Your right Jack, he sold lots of "blades" but the welders at cost. I am interested in this post because I am in a situation where I would like to upgrade my old stick welder and have a combo tig/stick. I am intrigued by TIG having only fooled around with it at my uncles. I also would like a DC stick machine as my welder is just AC. I got certified years ago in stick on pipe and plate (6010/7018). I just never upgraded and got a DC stick for my personal use.

 

[Duffster]

I sell Mig, Tig, Stick, Plasma, Torch and Arc Gouging Equipment.. I is all Good, Get as many types as you can afford and dont discount one process or the other. Side Note: Sub Arc and Tig is used in all High Pressure situations and Critical Welds for food service and AeroSpace is all Tig.. Mig and Stick everywhere else. Want to take it to the next level? Look up Synergic Twin Pulse Mig. You can do Tig welds on Aluminum with a Mig Gun. All Possition and high speed. Or, Spatter Free welds on Steel. The future of Welding is ready to take on a whole new light.

A freind of mine builds aluminum tanks and has been doing the twin pulse for several years.

 

[mjncad]

It is said and I know it's true that when you get good using the tig process you'll be able to weld a razor blade to a railroad track.

An acquaintance of mine supposedly is able to TIG weld pop cans back together. If true, I'd like to see what they look like. This young man (20 something) just hired on with Lockheed-Martin helping to build satellites. Prior to that he was working in a general fab shop.

By the way, the money he told me was not in selling the equipment, it was selling the consumables.

Your uncles observation on the consumables is, what I call, the Gillette school of marketing. "Giv'em the razor, sell'em the blades!"

This also applies to printers. HP makes more on consumables than on the printers themselves.

 

[ModMech]

An acquaintance of mine supposedly is able to TIG weld pop cans back together.

I have seen that done, Ron Ellis is the guy I saw do it, very impressive indeed.

This also applies to printers. HP makes more on consumables than on the printers themselves.

Not on me, I just buy a new printer for $45, it's CHEAPER than the cartridges!

 

[4shorts]

An acquaintance of mine supposedly is able to TIG weld pop cans back together.

Actually Matt it is very true. I've done it many times as a demonstration. Back about four months ago we had some members from DOT here in the shop and I did it to show them and the first thing they asked was "Can we take the cans with us" I said sure. When I get the tig out again and am doing really thin material I'll do a few more cans and post pics. you'll also find it hard to believe BUT you can tig tinfoil. Yep sure can.

 

[_RaT_]

Actually Matt it is very true. I've done it many times as a demonstration. Back about four months ago we had some members from DOT here in the shop and I did it to show them and the first thing they asked was "Can we take the cans with us" I said sure. When I get the tig out again and am doing really thin material I'll do a few more cans and post pics. you'll also find it hard to believe BUT you can tig tinfoil. Yep sure can.

That would be interesting to see. I guess you are using a very low current? I want to learn more about TIG.

 

[4shorts]

That would be interesting to see. I guess you are using a very low current? I want to learn more about TIG.

She's dialed down so low the next step would be just to unplug the machine :laughing: I've used a 1/16th 2% ceriated tungsten and for a filler wire I use the .035 aluminum mig wire from my spool gun. As I said above. The next time I set up for thin stuff I'll do a sample. Lots of guys have done it. It's nothing new or spectacular.

 

[Iplayfarmer]

...you'll also find it hard to believe BUT you can tig tinfoil. Yep sure can.

My head believes that, but my eyes don't.

Maybe you can tig tinfoil, but I can't even tig a washer to a bolt. We have one at work. I've used it just enough to know that it's an art as much as it is a science, and I am not an artist.

 

[4shorts]

My head believes that, but my eyes don't.

Maybe you can tig tinfoil, but I can't even tig a washer to a bolt. We have one at work. I've used it just enough to know that it's an art as much as it is a science, and I am not an artist.

It's all in the technique. A very steady hand is a plus as well and good equipment. I bet you would surprise yourself if you were around practicing tiging. Like everything. The more you do it the better you get at it.I find it the most relaxing and controllable process out of it all. Tigging tinfoil is more of a trick than anything else but it's still can be done.

When it comes to tig werlding, Believe me when I say "If I can do it, anyone can".

I better get back to work

 

[mjncad]

Not on me, I just buy a new printer for $45, it's CHEAPER than the cartridges!

Since I have a need for 11" x 17" capable printing; there is no such thing as a cheap printer...cheaply made is another story.

Actually Matt it is very true. I've done it many times as a demonstration. Back about four months ago we had some members from DOT here in the shop and I did it to show them and the first thing they asked was "Can we take the cans with us" I said sure. When I get the tig out again and am doing really thin material I'll do a few more cans and post pics. you'll also find it hard to believe BUT you can tig tinfoil. Yep sure can.

I believe you; but I would love to see pics when time permits for you just to see what other skills you have.

It's nothing new or spectacular.

For mere mortals like me, it's spectacular.

 

[welderboy14]

Tig is easyer on thin metal and Mig is better for thicker metal and mig is also easyer for building a quick little jig and stuff

thats my 2 cents,

 

[4shorts]

Tig is easyer on thin metal and Mig is better for thicker metal and mig is also easyer for building a quick little jig and stuff

thats my 2 cents,

I would have agreed with you until I got the new Millermatic mig with the pulse feature. I think my Tig unit will be getting a break now

 

[mjncad]

I would have agreed with you until I got the new Millermatic mig with the pulse feature. I think my Tig unit will be getting a break now

Can I have your TIG welder?

 

[_RaT_]

I would have agreed with you until I got the new Millermatic mig with the pulse feature. I think my Tig unit will be getting a break now

Interesting, tell us more about the Miller MIG with pulse action. How does it work, what model, are you welding better, you know, the usual stuff. I have pretty much burned my little Millermatic 90 to a crisp. I ask so much of it and it gives so little which is why the stick welder is always there.

 

[4shorts]

Can I have your TIG welder?

Geez Matt I would give it to you but the new welding gear won't weld Coke cans :laughing:

Interesting, tell us more about the Miller MIG with pulse action. How does it work, what model, are you welding better, you know, the usual stuff. I have pretty much burned my little Millermatic 90 to a crisp. I ask so much of it and it gives so little which is why the stick welder is always there.

Here's a link to some info on the pulse mode of welding and it's benefits. Pulse is a differant beast. Sounds like a bumble bee when it's welding but very clean, fast and leaves a very attractive bead appearance. The 350P is a big unit. I won't use it all the time and that's way I have the 252 but there both great machines to use and gives excellent results.

Miller - Millermaticｮ 350P Pulsed MIG Welder Increases Productivity by 16 Percent, Reduces Scrap by 20 Percent for Weight Manufacturer

 

[mjncad]

Geez Matt I would give it to you but the new welding gear won't weld Coke cans :laughing:

That's OK, I don't drink pop, so I'll find another use for it. Now I just need to figure out how to get your old TIG.

 

[aburnell]

I think that each is better for certain situations.. I always like the look of a tig. Although some can make a mig look very nice.

 

[Iplayfarmer]

...I always like the look of a tig...

Amen to that. The best welds I've seen have been tig.