Why use wire or stick?

[jaxs]

The OP isn’t looking to buy. He already has a stick and a Mig.

So what is he looking for, to watch people struggle for $100 answers to 50 cent questions? I like to hear how people handle tasks but the task must be somewhat specific in order to gain useful information.

 

[Big Barn]

So what is he looking for, to watch people struggle for $100 answers to 50 cent questions? I like to hear how people handle tasks but the task must be somewhat specific in order to gain useful information.

I suppose the OP would be the one to answer if he gained useful info or not. I know I have.

 

[WranglerX]

I grew up with a stick welder. I got a MIG a few years ago, and I never got the hang of it. I seems the nozzle is always blocking my view, and it goes too fast for my liking. I can do a much better job with stick, so that's my preference.

Look at what arc is doing from off to the side not over top of gun....

Dale

 

[WranglerX]

For the the nay sayers of how versatile MIG is....



Dale

 

[5030]

For the the nay sayers of how versatile MIG is....

View attachment 619743

Dale

I'd like to see you (or anyone else for that matter) butt weld 2 aluminum pop cans together with a MIG or a broken tape measure together with a MIG. Won't happen because you cannot dial the weld current down that far and you cannot control wet out sufficiently to not burn through. Can a MIG weld copper or copper alloy" Of course not. Only TIG plus with TIG, weld appearance is always excellent. Why I like it.

One thing the Linclon Tombstone is excellent for... Migrating earthworms out of the ground for fishing....

 

[5030]

Look at what arc is doing from off to the side not over top of gun....

Dale

+1. You can always position the nozzle to where you can see the weld and wire. In fact, it's always better to 'tilt' the nozzle about 30 dergress whether pushing or pulling.

 

[nybirdman]

DC stick for sure and I was certified TIG and Stick;MIG is for shop/production work;PITA for field work.

 

[ptsg]

For the the nay sayers of how versatile MIG is....

View attachment 619743

Dale

Let's not forget that to weld all those materials listed, you'll need all kinds of gases, nozzles, guns and so on... Which will add up really fast.

 

[Fielding]

Stick Welding

Pros: Cheaper lower cost Welder (I got a dnipro-m 260dpk $300 delivered from Ukraine works awesome), No Gas or Bottle Contracts, extremely portable, easy to get in tight areas, very good on 1/8" and up thicknesses.
Easy to find consumables in small towns.

Cons: Poor on thin metal, always chipping and buffing slag, Steeper learning curve to use, high fumes, constantly changing electrodes.

My Opinion: Probably the best for first time welders because of the low cost of entry and consumables. No bottle contract to pay if you are not using it. Get yourself a rod oven too, dry rods work much better.



Mig Welding

Pros: Non stop production, no chipping slag ever, less spatter than stick if set right, super easy to learn, works like a hot glue gun, less fumes, easy to automate, great on thin metal.

Cons: Expensive consumables, Not very portable, can be temperamental especially with different operators messing with the machine, Need shield gas that is expensive and requires bottle contract, Lots of moving parts and other consumables.

My opinion: Great units if you want easy welding, or high rates of production, and have the money to burn.

TIG

Pros: If you have mastered TIG you have mastered welding in its slowest and most beautiful form, you are now an artist, Congratulations!

Cons: You have no free time because you are always TIG'ing in your shop.
None of your other welder friends want to talk to you because your always TIG'ing something or talking about TIG'ing something.
Your welder friends still have not figured out how to TIG and are just jealous.
Your wife has probably left you because you have no time to spend with her you just TIG 24/7.

My Opinion: The most expensive, difficult and time consuming of all forms. But the results look beautiful.

 

[yomax4]

I'd like to see you (or anyone else for that matter) butt weld 2 aluminum pop cans together with a MIG or a broken tape measure together with a MIG. Won't happen because you cannot dial the weld current down that far and you cannot control wet out sufficiently to not burn through. Can a MIG weld copper or copper alloy" Of course not. Only TIG plus with TIG, weld appearance is always excellent. Why I like it.

One thing the Linclon Tombstone is excellent for... Migrating earthworms out of the ground for fishing....

The thinest Aluminum I have been able to do with Mig running 3/64 4047 wire was on 1/16 sheet. Pulse frequency 5 pps, Current change 50% and relationship 40%. Stack of dimes. I'm pretty sure I could do thinner with 030 wire. And yes you can weld copper, brass, bronze with Mig. Look up Aluminum Bronze, Phoz Bronze, De-Ox Copper and Silicon Bronze. All available in Mig wire. I use them all. Pop cans and tape measures are for sure tig applications and fun to do. I always enjoyed doing just that at shows. .040 tungsten. Fun stuff !

 

[Industrial Toys]

I have never used a DC stick welder, but did not too bad on my SEARS Buzz Box. I still can't weld up and down or upside down with my MIG. I'm curious if I could with a DC stick machine.

 

[MoArk Willy]

If I could only have one, I'd have a TIG welder

Hmm....perhaps I should have included that choice....but I don't weld enough to buy one.

 

[MoArk Willy]

So far all of the answers have been helpful...except yours.

 

[k0ua]

I have never used a DC stick welder, but did not too bad on my SEARS Buzz Box. I still can't weld up and down or upside down with my MIG. I'm curious if I could with a DC stick machine.

I won't guarantee you will be a better welder or even weld upside down, but your welds will rapidly improve with a DC stick welder and some good dry 7108 rod. And you will have a lot less spatter/BB's to clean up. It just seems you can "get into the groove" better with DC. It is just smoother. Not saying you can't make good welds with an AC machine, but it sure seemed easier to me the first bead I laid with my DC machine. I sold my AC machine soon after.

 

[4570Man]

I'd like to see you (or anyone else for that matter) butt weld 2 aluminum pop cans together with a MIG or a broken tape measure together with a MIG. Won't happen because you cannot dial the weld current down that far and you cannot control wet out sufficiently to not burn through. Can a MIG weld copper or copper alloy" Of course not. Only TIG plus with TIG, weld appearance is always excellent. Why I like it.

One thing the Linclon Tombstone is excellent for... Migrating earthworms out of the ground for fishing....

I don’t recall ever having a need to do either of those things. Most of us here are welding equipment related stuff not watches.

 

[gunny0628]

Depend's on whether I will haul it in a Chevy or a Ford. But you didn't specify that did you?
You also didn't specify what it will be welding.
Nor how many amps or volts will be available.
Nor if beads will be laid outdoors in wind and rain or elsewhere.
Nor if machine will be expected to moved 3 times every day.
Nor what kind of budget.
Nor,,,,,,,,,,,,,, So an answer would be totally meaningless.

There’s always one

 

[Tractor Seabee]

I have never used a DC stick welder, but did not too bad on my SEARS Buzz Box. I still can't weld up and down or upside down with my MIG. I'm curious if I could with a DC stick machine.

Any type machine; get the fundamentals down then practice a lot. I an not a MIG welder but vertical and overhead should be easier with MIG as you are not carrying as big a puddle. Get a copy of the Lincoln arc welding manual, lot of good info to get started and refining your technique. What works for me may not work for you. For me horizontal is the hardest posistion as the upper side tends to undercut the base metal.

Ron

 

[ruffdog]

I grew up using a AC stick. Learned aluminum TIG from expert. MIG was used in shop for all fab work and most repairs. Stick DC was used in shop for specialized repair/fab when doing dissimilar metals etc. TIG was used for aluminum repair/fab and for steel die work. DC stick welder (gas engine) was on crash trucks for repair work. Could also pull MIG unit out for larger repairs. For home I have a simple AC stick for the small amount of work I do.

 

[Industrial Toys]

I can BRAZE great! Not much ever said around here about it and it's stronger than most people realize.

 

[metalbender]

Have all three. All have their pros and cons. Nice thing with stick on heavy material, hold a long arc without rod transfer to heat metal prior to welding. AC buzz box will let you use a carbon arc torch for heating, brazing.