Welding question, should I get a mig or a tig

[bowtie70]

I am going to replace a cheap 110 volt mig welder I have with some sort of a 220 volt unit. I will be using this welder on truck builds and classic car restorations. I will also be doing lots metal fabrication with it. Would like to get into welding aluminum.

What I would like to know is which type of welder is more versatile. I can only purchase one or the other.

So if you had to choose between these two types of welders, which one would your recommend?

Your advice is appreciated.

Roger

[my67c20]

One of each. Each has it owns advantage. If i am not mistaken TIG produces a softer weld that accepts being pounded into shape while MIG not so much. Try to tack weld a patch panel by yourself while holding it with a TIG. Add that last little bracket in the detailed engine compartment with a MIG. Just my 2 cents

[TheSeeker]

I like how the above poster clearly did NOT read your post before awnsering...he said he could only buy ONE...Anyway, I vote to go with the MIG, Ive got one around and it is able to do most of the jobs I need without much trouble, that said, IF a job does come up im not comfortable using the MIG for, I outsource a friend or pro to do it for me. Hope you get a decent amount of awnsers for this! good luck

[fastwillie 696969]

get one that has both

[cdowns]

check out the miller line they have good machines that will do both/ really pretty much how deep your pockets are if only able to afford one then i'd get the mig machine

you can also check into getting the more delux machine that will do the tig but just get the mig setup and purchase the tig accessories at a later date


it's also good info if you stop by local welding supply shops to see what they have and ask if they have any manufacturer product demo workshops coming up

[Tx Firefighter]

Apples to oranges really.

MIG is great for a lot of things. It's quick, strong, and easy to learn. Doing aluminum with MIG is not ideal. You can use a spool gun and do it fine, but it will never be the pretty welds you want for nice fabrication. MIG is great for heavy frame work and quick production welding.
TIG is much slower to use and requires a much higher skill level, but it does produce some beautiful results. It's also ideal for aluminum work if you get one with enough power.

[bowtie70]

Guys,

Thanks for all the advice. I think it's going to be a mig with some tig add ons when I can afford it.

Roger

[Kid]

hold on there Roger, I gotta vote for the tig. So much more versatile. Does take alot of practice to get the prety welds, You can buy an older used one for under $1000.00, (visit a weld supply / repair shop)then later on possibly get a small mig (or not). I bought a used tig about 15 years ago & have been happy ever since.(with no mig). If you have a tig, & can use it, you wont find a project you can't tackle. Ive made alot of pocket money welding aluminum.. & How many times have you heard somewone say 'I wish I had a tig'

[cableguy0]

The biggest issue with tig is that its hugely time consuming. It might be the more versatile welder technically but for 90% of the stuff your going to do a mig will be great. Tig welding lends itself a lot more to being done on a table where everything is controlled. You can use a mig anywhere whether it be upside down or holding something. Tig requires two hands no matter what. I will say when a tig welder is needed its not replaceable. My vote is a miller 210 machine or similar for mig and save your pennies to buy a tig later on for the specialty stuff.

[Tx Firefighter]

Originally Posted by cableguy0

The biggest issue with tig is that its hugely time consuming. It might be the more versatile welder technically but for 90% of the stuff your going to do a mig will be great. Tig welding lends itself a lot more to being done on a table where everything is controlled. You can use a mig anywhere whether it be upside down or holding something. Tig requires two hands no matter what. I will say when a tig welder is needed its not replaceable. My vote is a miller 210 machine or similar for mig and save your pennies to buy a tig later on for the specialty stuff.

I very much agree. For welding chassis or suspension stuff all the way down to sheetmetal repairs, a MIG will handle it. TIG is great but the thought of laying a lot of bead on a big project with the TIG doesn't excite me anymore. Something like a frame splice that requires several feet of weld, then fish plates atop that with several more feet of weld would take a long time with TIG process and be a pain in the butt with the awkward positions required.

[sixtyeightchevykid]

i would say mig for versatility and speed, and tig for presicion and very nice welds(with practice). linclon welders are great welders in my opinion, and they have machines that are multi process, tig,mig,stick. you just have to get the right leads and attachments, also they have an aluminum mig gun,(not a spool gun), they key to any aluminum welding is making sure the metal is very clean, and having the heat right, i have welded mig and tig, mild steel, aluminum, and stainless i like the challenge and look of tig better than mig, but mig would be a good alround welder.

[motornut]

mig, i have a marquette 110
hmm only pic i got here is the back

[maskale]

I recently bought a

http://www.millerwelds.com/products/...p?model=M00245

Love it.

All said and done, from welder, spool gun, accessories and some consumables, bottle, cart and a good hood, it was around 2K. I have wanted a decent welder for 10yrs, feels good to finally have one.

[PanelDeland]

I'm going to vote MIG.And I have a very valid reason for saying so(not that the ones you already have aren't valid).If you're asking,you probably need to develop more skill with a welder before you tackle TIG.It requires more practice and experience to weld well with.
I'm no weldor but I can usually lay a decent MIG bead but haven't developed the coordination to weld TIG well yet.MIG is almost too easy.

[mcbassin]

Not sure if you considered looking at any used units. I have an older model Midstate Tri-arc unit. I traded some workbenches for it in a surplus business years ago. If you look around you can find similar machines.

With this unit you can mig, tig and stick arc weld. I mostly use the tig and stick but the mig works good too if I get a cO2 argon mix bottle. As it is I use straight argon so I can do stainless, alum. and mild steel although I think straight helium works better for some metals. I have tried some of the newer mig machines and I have to admit the migs are way better than mine.
Good luck with your decision.