Go Bottom

Dumb question TIG vs MIG

View my Photos
tomrscott
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 96 Newberg, Oregon
TractorPoint Premium Member -- 5 Tractors = Very Frequent Poster  View my Photos  Pics

2005-01-24          104796


Okay, dumb question time. Now that I've got a tractor, I want to get some welding capability. The budget probably dictates a stick welder to start, but I still want to learn all I can about the tradeoffs.

Q: I think I pretty well understood how MIG works, but I'm not sure what the difference is between MIG and TIG.

I first heard about TIG when I was thinking about getting some aluminum tubing welded, I think I understand pretty well what MIG is, but I guess MIG can do aluminum too if you have the right shielding gas (Argon I guess?).

I understand quite a bit about the difficulty with Aluminum, oxidizing, why you need shielding gas, etc. I gather that for MIG on steel you typically use CO2 and Argon mix for shielding? I understand why MIG gives much cleaner welds than stick. I also get it that an underpowered MIG can make pretty welds without enough penetration. I think I understand the preference for a spool gun with aluminum wire which is not stiff enough to easily feed down the hose. Easier to feed it right at the gun. I guess a 180amp MIG would do most of what I need, but at quite a bit more money than an equivalent amperage stick welder. AC/DC seems to be 50% to 100% more than an AC-only stick, MIG is maybe double that, very roughly?

I think a good welding shop salesman could own a second on your house if you weren't careful. (grin)

I get a lot of this, but it suddenly dawned on me that I can't explain the difference between TIG and MIG.

Thanks!




Reply to | Quote Post Reply to PostQuote Reply | Add PhotoAdd Photo



Dumb question TIG vs MIG

View my Photos
beagle
Join Date: Jan 2004
Posts: 1333 Michigan
TractorPoint Premium Member -- 5 Tractors = Very Frequent Poster  View my Photos  Pics

2005-01-24          104799


TIG welding, or more technically Gas Tungsten Arc Welding, sometimes called Heliarc welding, uses a non-consumable tungsten electrode to create the arc for welding. You can add filler metal, but is not necessary. Filler metal is added from a rod put into the arc. TIG welding takes a lot of practice, and wouldn't be the process of choice for welding ferrous metals. The shielding gas is just an inert gas, similar to MIG welding, and is only there to shield the weld from the atmosphere.

I would recommend you stay with a MIG process. It is much easier to produce quality welds and can be used for ferrous and nonferrous metals. TIG is used only on thin steels, and generally for the root pass of some thin wall pipe and tubing welds. TIG is the best way to weld alluminum, but not the only way. ....


Reply to | Quote Post Reply to PostQuote Reply | Add PhotoAdd Photo



Dumb question TIG vs MIG

View my Photos
AV8R
Join Date: Oct 2003
Posts: 882 North Central Wisconsin
TractorPoint Premium Member -- 5 Tractors = Very Frequent Poster  View my Photos  Pics

2005-01-24          104803


Simply stated: The TIG welding process is similar to gas welding. You strike an arc with the torch which will cause a melted "pool", cool it witf filler-rod and move along the weld.

It is a very skill-oriented process, rather than MIG which is point and shoot. ....


Reply to | Quote Post Reply to PostQuote Reply | Add PhotoAdd Photo



Dumb question TIG vs MIG

View my Photos
Iowafun
Join Date: Jul 2004
Posts: 955 Central Iowa
TractorPoint Premium Member -- 5 Tractors = Very Frequent Poster  View my Photos  Pics

2005-01-24          104818


I've done some welding with all 3 forms. I'm fond of stick welding cause I'm not too bad at it. Takes some technique, but that also works for MIG. I love MIG since I can get a good weld really easy.

TIG. I suck at TIG. It's hard to balance the power with the distance and hand feeding the new material. Also had problems with the thin material it's used on. I'd get it to hot and create a hole.

If most of the material you will be using is ferous like steel, I'd stick with MIG or stick. Unless you plan on doing a lot of thin welding, I'd stay away from TIG cause you won't get enough time to develop and keep the skill needed to get a good weld.

The guys that are good at TIG get respect from me. It's hard. ....


Reply to | Quote Post Reply to PostQuote Reply | Add PhotoAdd Photo



Dumb question TIG vs MIG

View my Photos
earthwrks
Join Date: Dec 2003
Posts: 3853 Home Office in Flat Rock, Michigan
TractorPoint Premium Member -- 5 Tractors = Very Frequent Poster  View my Photos  Pics

2005-01-24          104841


I was taught that TIG stood for "Tungsten Inert Gas" welding and did it on a production line making Harley-Davidson parts. We used carbon dioxide and I believe sometimes agron for the inert gas. That was 20 years ago. The equipment cost for that was outrageous! Not to mention buying the tungsten rods. It does make for a beautiful yet strong weld. Has the price of the equipment gone down that much to make affrodable for the average guy to buy? ....


Reply to | Quote Post Reply to PostQuote Reply | Add PhotoAdd Photo



Dumb question TIG vs MIG

View my Photos
AV8R
Join Date: Oct 2003
Posts: 882 North Central Wisconsin
TractorPoint Premium Member -- 5 Tractors = Very Frequent Poster  View my Photos  Pics

2005-01-24          104842


If affordable = $2500, then yes.

Too rich for my blood. ....


Reply to | Quote Post Reply to PostQuote Reply | Add PhotoAdd Photo



Dumb question TIG vs MIG

View my Photos
tomrscott
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 96 Newberg, Oregon
TractorPoint Premium Member -- 5 Tractors = Very Frequent Poster  View my Photos  Pics

2005-01-24          104847


I guess I am going to go for a slightly used Miller Thunderbolt AC/DC. Looks like new brand new, checked out by a top service shop. $300

....


Reply to | Quote Post Reply to PostQuote Reply | Add PhotoAdd Photo



Dumb question TIG vs MIG

View my Photos
shortmagnum
Join Date: Nov 2003
Posts: 848 Wisconsin
TractorPoint Premium Member -- 5 Tractors = Very Frequent Poster  View my Photos  Pics

2005-01-25          104874


That is a good choice. For all around inexpensive but strong welding the AC/DC stick will do most anything you desire.
Dave ....


Reply to | Quote Post Reply to PostQuote Reply | Add PhotoAdd Photo


   Go Top


Share This







Member Login