TIG, MIG or both? - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

hapisok · 09-30-2012, 02:18 PM

looking to pickup a welder for my garage but can't decide between a tig or mig. i'd like to be able to weld both SS and aluminum. im not a welder, but gonna learn as i've got some projects that i want to do without paying an arm and a leg for somebody else to f* up. pro's and con's of working with them would be appreciated.

thanks

JLE58 · 09-30-2012, 08:14 PM

What are you welding? Mig is for sure going to be more novice friendly.

AirManFL · 09-30-2012, 08:32 PM

Mig is cheaper to use, easier to learn, messier welds, and throws a lot of sparks.

Tig is more expensive, harder to use, is cleaner, and makes much nicer welds.

Search Google for mig vs. tig and you'll find a ton of info out there.

Good luck.

Rob

Sikoriko · 09-30-2012, 09:24 PM

You will need a spool gun for mig aluminum, tig is stronger cleaner but if you tig aluminum you'll need a variable machine TIG aluminum not too easy to do, just practice TIG is easy if you go mild steel a 7018 base,

Sikoriko · 09-30-2012, 09:25 PM

I just MIG'd in a O2 sensor took two minutes it is faster

hapisok · 10-01-2012, 02:20 AM

thanks for the responses so far.

i've done some searches on google and i really like the look of TIG. im willing to put the time in to learn how to do it right for a nice clean finished look.

after taking headers in to have O2 bungs welded on and exhaust systems, if i had bought one and learned how to do it, investing in a welder would have paid for itself already. i'll be welding up my header/exhaust system which is SS and some other projects which are aluminum.

thanks again.

CFD · 10-01-2012, 05:17 AM

There are a few things to consider. Tig welding is the cleanest of all welding and can eaily be changed to weld various metals with the flick of a switch. Mig welding is most common in most production shops as it is easy to learn and very versitile. Mig welding requires one hand operation, tig requires two as well as a foot or hand switch for temperature control. Personally, I prefer Tig welding but on occasion I use my mig welder but it is a rarety, the welds do not compare with Tig.

hapisok · 10-01-2012, 05:48 AM

PERFECT! just what i was looking for.

thanks!

CWI · 10-14-2012, 12:11 AM

If you get a source to run GTAW (tig)and it is versatile, you should be able to also use it for GMAW (mig) and FCAW (flux core or dual shield). Dual shield with 75% argon, 25% CO2 is also very clean other than the slag produced but nice weld.

Aluminum tig will take a lot of practice and your parts must be absolutely clean. I've welded all my life and am now an AWS Certified Welding Inspector. If you have never welded I would recommend (mig). Either way, aluminum will require more expensive 100% argon or even more expensive tri mix. Mig can use relatively cheap CO2 for gas coverage.

NicKey · 10-14-2012, 02:06 AM

We use both at the shop, but the tig welder gets used most often.

It will generally require much more skill than a mig.

It is generally more expensive to purchase and operate.

Generally generates less heat and more concentrated heat onto the parts being welded.

Proper welds with both will be less obtrusive with a tig.

Mig can be much faster in some types of projects.

If I could only have one welder it would be a tig.

GlennP · 10-15-2012, 12:15 PM

Tig is much better but more difficult.

I'm certified to do unlimited thickness welding on MIG (like, bridge welds) but I cant even make stuff stick together with tig. Im sure if I tired for more than 20 minutes I can get better but its definately not a cake walk.

hapisok · 10-15-2012, 01:31 PM

fair enough, and i appreciate all the input. i do like the pretty welds of tig. and seeing how all i've got is time and im learning then it looks like i'll get a dual setup so i can effectively use one and learn the other once i've got it down. only way to get better is by doing.

SC2150 · 10-15-2012, 03:00 PM

Tig for sure.

Also, can refer you to some good units for reasonable that you will love. Take the time to learn and you will be amazed at what you can do, and make sure the tig you get is both AC & DC to do both Aluminum and steel.

Jason@JacFab · 10-15-2012, 06:30 PM

I enjoy TIG welding much more than MIG... I've got both here at the shop, and TIG just seems more fun. It can be hard(er) to learn though, however some people can just pick up the torch and run with it... A lot of hand/eye/foot coordination going on.

I'd say the best thing about MIG is it's waaay faster that's for sure.

09-30-2012, 02:18 PM	#1
hapisok crazier than a coconut Drives: 2010 2SS/RS LS3 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: virginia Posts: 1,547	TIG, MIG or both? looking to pickup a welder for my garage but can't decide between a tig or mig. i'd like to be able to weld both SS and aluminum. im not a welder, but gonna learn as i've got some projects that i want to do without paying an arm and a leg for somebody else to f* up. pro's and con's of working with them would be appreciated. thanks __________________

10-01-2012, 02:20 AM	#6
hapisok crazier than a coconut Drives: 2010 2SS/RS LS3 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: virginia Posts: 1,547	thanks for the responses so far. i've done some searches on google and i really like the look of TIG. im willing to put the time in to learn how to do it right for a nice clean finished look. after taking headers in to have O2 bungs welded on and exhaust systems, if i had bought one and learned how to do it, investing in a welder would have paid for itself already. i'll be welding up my header/exhaust system which is SS and some other projects which are aluminum. thanks again. __________________

10-01-2012, 05:48 AM	#8
hapisok crazier than a coconut Drives: 2010 2SS/RS LS3 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: virginia Posts: 1,547	PERFECT! just what i was looking for. thanks! __________________

10-14-2012, 12:11 AM	#9
CWI Helping Build America Drives: 2010 2SS/RS,LS3 2013 Duramax 3500HD Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Freeport LPG Export Posts: 3,839 View My Garage	If you get a source to run GTAW (tig)and it is versatile, you should be able to also use it for GMAW (mig) and FCAW (flux core or dual shield). Dual shield with 75% argon, 25% CO2 is also very clean other than the slag produced but nice weld. Aluminum tig will take a lot of practice and your parts must be absolutely clean. I've welded all my life and am now an AWS Certified Welding Inspector. If you have never welded I would recommend (mig). Either way, aluminum will require more expensive 100% argon or even more expensive tri mix. Mig can use relatively cheap CO2 for gas coverage. __________________ Life's journey is not to arrive at the grave safely in a well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, totally worn out, shouting "Holy shit, what a ride!"

10-15-2012, 12:15 PM	#11
GlennP Drives: 2011 Camaro 2SS Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Bridgewater, NJ Posts: 373	Tig is much better but more difficult. I'm certified to do unlimited thickness welding on MIG (like, bridge welds) but I cant even make stuff stick together with tig. Im sure if I tired for more than 20 minutes I can get better but its definately not a cake walk. __________________

09-30-2012, 08:14 PM	#2
JLE58 Drives: CGM,twin turbo, cam 2010 SS/RS Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: ROCKMART, GA Posts: 2,185	What are you welding? Mig is for sure going to be more novice friendly.

09-30-2012, 08:32 PM	#3
AirManFL Mid-Florida Camaro Club Drives: 2018 ZL1 Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Orlando, FL Posts: 2,220	Mig is cheaper to use, easier to learn, messier welds, and throws a lot of sparks. Tig is more expensive, harder to use, is cleaner, and makes much nicer welds. Search Google for mig vs. tig and you'll find a ton of info out there. Good luck. Rob

09-30-2012, 09:24 PM	#4
Sikoriko Drives: 2011 V6 IOM Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: San Diego Posts: 1,385 View My Garage	You will need a spool gun for mig aluminum, tig is stronger cleaner but if you tig aluminum you'll need a variable machine TIG aluminum not too easy to do, just practice TIG is easy if you go mild steel a 7018 base,

09-30-2012, 09:25 PM	#5
Sikoriko Drives: 2011 V6 IOM Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: San Diego Posts: 1,385 View My Garage	I just MIG'd in a O2 sensor took two minutes it is faster

10-01-2012, 05:17 AM	#7
CFD Drives: 2SS/RS L99 BLACK Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Franklin , MA Posts: 6,696	There are a few things to consider. Tig welding is the cleanest of all welding and can eaily be changed to weld various metals with the flick of a switch. Mig welding is most common in most production shops as it is easy to learn and very versitile. Mig welding requires one hand operation, tig requires two as well as a foot or hand switch for temperature control. Personally, I prefer Tig welding but on occasion I use my mig welder but it is a rarety, the welds do not compare with Tig.

10-14-2012, 02:06 AM	#10
NicKey Drives: Nickey Super Camaro Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Loves Park, Illinois Posts: 1,668	We use both at the shop, but the tig welder gets used most often. It will generally require much more skill than a mig. It is generally more expensive to purchase and operate. Generally generates less heat and more concentrated heat onto the parts being welded. Proper welds with both will be less obtrusive with a tig. Mig can be much faster in some types of projects. If I could only have one welder it would be a tig.

10-15-2012, 01:31 PM	#12
hapisok crazier than a coconut Drives: 2010 2SS/RS LS3 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: virginia Posts: 1,547	fair enough, and i appreciate all the input. i do like the pretty welds of tig. and seeing how all i've got is time and im learning then it looks like i'll get a dual setup so i can effectively use one and learn the other once i've got it down. only way to get better is by doing. __________________

10-15-2012, 03:00 PM	#13
SC2150 Account Suspended Drives: 2012 Camaro RS, RX supercharged Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Bradenton, FL Posts: 6,063	Tig for sure. Also, can refer you to some good units for reasonable that you will love. Take the time to learn and you will be amazed at what you can do, and make sure the tig you get is both AC & DC to do both Aluminum and steel.

10-15-2012, 06:30 PM	#14
Jason@JacFab Drives: 2016 1LT RS Camaro; 72 Chevelle Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Central Point, OR Posts: 5,688 View My Garage	I enjoy TIG welding much more than MIG... I've got both here at the shop, and TIG just seems more fun. It can be hard(er) to learn though, however some people can just pick up the torch and run with it... A lot of hand/eye/foot coordination going on. I'd say the best thing about MIG is it's waaay faster that's for sure.