Welding

Baby Grand · Jun 20, 2009

Hey, this stick v. mig thing is getting personal & pointless. I've used both and they both have their strong suits. Personally, I prefered using stick equipment when the job allowed, but I burned a lot of wire, too.

Learned welding at The New England Welding Institute about 30 years ago & worked in the trade for a few years before going into engineering. Before engineering I welded oil field and lumber truck bodies, OEM vacuum tanks for the dry cleaning industry, commercial oil and gas fired furnaces and burner assemblies for ships and hospitals. Another job was building 24' roll-off dumpster bodies for the waste carting industry. My last welding gig was fabricating "ammusements" for the haunted house industry - the pay was laughable, but it was one of the most enjoyable jobs I've ever had.

The important thing I learned from these jobs is that there's as many "right" ways to weld a seam as there are creative weldors. Pick the process you like and that works for you and let others do likewise.

-Jim
Putting the puddle to the metal since 1978.

bugar477 · Jun 20, 2009

In an earlier post I gave the meaning of welding( the melting and running together of two metals). This is performed by different processes (oxy-acet torch,stick,tig,mig and multiple
automated processes to make production faster and consistent. Different metal composition
make some processes better than others. All my equipment is 3 phase and minimum of 300 amp and I am luckey to have access to commercial grade equipment. All machines are not created equal but will handle jobs they are designed for. Mig verse stick, I have heard it for years. Either process if performed according the definition will be do the job. I still as I said before use them all. I decide according to the job. Some times I will use stick to repair cast with nickel or apply hardfacing to buckets and grinder teeth Tig for alunimun and stainless mig for mild steel using dip transfer and spray modes. If the weld jobs has to be performed in place one process might be better than the other.

Mike

BrentD · Jun 20, 2009

Just wanted to take a second to say Thanks to the few of you who actually gave me some useful tips before this thread devolved into the "my way is better than yours" argument.

Just from my little experience I can see where an arc welder would be useful to have around. Unfortunately, all I have is a 220V 110Amp Harbor Freight MIG. For what I paid and what little welding I do I can't justify anything more right now. It's getting the job done and I am learning a few things along the way.

To the person who suggested I mill the gas shield down to be even with the contact tip, GENIUS. The machine works a lot better now. Still a bit finicky, but I'm learning what works and what doesn't.

One strange thing... If I try to use the two minimum settings, striking the arc somehow stalls the wire feed so it becomes a pulsing jerky PITA and won't weld at all. Still not sure what's up with that.

Transit · Jun 21, 2009

BrentD said:
Just wanted to take a second to say Thanks to the few of you who actually gave me some useful tips before this thread devolved into the "my way is better than yours" argument.

Just from my little experience I can see where an arc welder would be useful to have around. Unfortunately, all I have is a 220V 110Amp Harbor Freight MIG. For what I paid and what little welding I do I can't justify anything more right now. It's getting the job done and I am learning a few things along the way.

To the person who suggested I mill the gas shield down to be even with the contact tip, GENIUS. The machine works a lot better now. Still a bit finicky, but I'm learning what works and what doesn't.

One strange thing... If I try to use the two minimum settings, striking the arc somehow stalls the wire feed so it becomes a pulsing jerky PITA and won't weld at all. Still not sure what's up with that.

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Rob-D · Jun 21, 2009

You're right it's getting pointless. Each has its strong points.

Inkomodius · Jun 21, 2009

Rob-D said:
Think trailer hitches need to be high strength and bullet proof?

"As the manufacturer and distributor of 400 different trailer hitches and accompanying towing accessory components, Valley Industries, LLC of Lodi, California, was looking for a way to increase welding productivity and improve product quality. To do this, the company made the switch from a semi-automatic GMAW (MIG) welding process to robotic GMAW-P (Pulsed MIG) welding systems from The Lincoln Electric Company. The move to automation has resulted in a 60 percent increase in productivity, improved process control, and higher quality parts - adding up to a competitive advantage for Valley Industries among its OEM and aftermarket customers."

Robotic Welding Systems Boost Efficiency at Valley Industries | Lincoln Electric

Let's let the ghost of poor MIG penetration die the death it deserves. Sub arc welding doesn't give you any more strength. It's a different process for a different application. You can weld high strenght , low strenght, low carbon 1018 all just fine with MIG and I have. Go visit a modern robotics welding facility. They use MIG.

Thats exactly what it is, each process has its own purpose, It's up to the engineer to determin process and filler material. I just weld, read blueprints and follow procedures. 99% of people out there who need a welder for the shop or farm will be fine with a mig or stick. At that point it becomes a coke/pepsi debate.

Iplayfarmer · Jun 21, 2009

I just wish I could find one of these one-day welding basics classes that I've heard people talk about. I've found some 3 month welding classes from technical colleges in the area, but I can't commit that kind of time.

I'm pretty much self taught (unless you count the five minute lesson I got from the ranch foreman when I was 16). I learned stick okay, and now I'm having a hard time learning MIG. I think I'm just used to being able to weld through paint, rust, etc. and so I'm not taking the time to prep like I should.

My hat's off to all of you who have the skills to do what you have done.

Rob-D · Jun 23, 2009

Iplayfarmer said:
I just wish I could find one of these one-day welding basics classes that I've heard people talk about. I've found some 3 month welding classes from technical colleges in the area, but I can't commit that kind of time.

I'm pretty much self taught (unless you count the five minute lesson I got from the ranch foreman when I was 16). I learned stick okay, and now I'm having a hard time learning MIG. I think I'm just used to being able to weld through paint, rust, etc. and so I'm not taking the time to prep like I should.

My hat's off to all of you who have the skills to do what you have done.

Sometimes my Miller dealer has a one day class. It's kind of to sell welders but you get to try stuff out and also get expert advice. Call your dealer if you have one andask him (or her). Also check youtube.

Iplayfarmer · Jun 24, 2009

Rob-D said:
Sometimes my Miller dealer has a one day class. It's kind of to sell welders but you get to try stuff out and also get expert advice. Call your dealer if you have one andask him (or her). Also check youtube.

I've tried youtube, and I've had a hard time wading through the irrelevant stuff. Does anyone have a series of good youtube welding videos they could link to?