I'll never MIG weld again!!

[Bjkadron]

This isn't really a technical post.. but it does have to do with pro-touring fab work. So if it doesn't belong here, sorry.

Anyway... I got to TIG weld yesterday afternoon! It was amazing! It was like going from fabricating parts with a sawzall and a hand drill, to working on a mill! WOW! The control was amazing... And I caught on really fast! I expected it to be harder. Just thought I'd throw this out there and see if anyone else has had the same experience.

So?

[Restomod]

What machine did you get??

[Nessumsar]

Each type of welding has its place, but my consensous is about the same. The amount of control with a TIG machine can't be beat; but for most jobs, a MIG machine is just as good (if not better) and quicker.

Now if I just had a couple grand laying around to get a TIG machine...

[shortrack]

my buddy who is a professional welder says you gotta' watch the Tig......the extra heat generated with Tig compared to Mig can warp your metal.....

[-CRUISER-]

Each type of welding has its place

X2


What machine did you get??

X2
How do you like adding the rod yourself ? What's the thinnest you've tried to weld so far ?

Have fun it can be a lot of fun !

[Nessumsar]

Depending on what machine you have/use, try to weld a Coke can. Pretty fun!

[SSMuscle]

I had the same reaction when I switched from MIG to TIG, it's awesome

[novaderrik]

Depending on what machine you have/use, try to weld a Coke can. Pretty fun!

i saw a guy do that back in '95 when i worked as a grinder at a place that makes ovens and conveyers and what not for companies like General Mills.. i was talking to him about how amazing it was that they could tig weld together 3 foot wide sections of 12 gauge stainless steel without warping it.
he said that was nothing..
to show what was possible, he cut my Pepsi can in half and then tig welded it back together with minimal warpage or burning of the paint- and it held water without leaking. i was amazed.
i wish i would have kept that can..

[Kenova]

to show what was possible, he cut my Pepsi can in half and then tig welded it back together with minimal warpage or burning of the paint- and it held water without leaking. i was amazed.
i wish i would have kept that can..

I would have something like that mounted in a glass case.
I just have a mig, but I've never been all that impressed or confident in the amount of penetration I get from it. If I crank up the amperage I wind up with too much wire feed for my liking.
I would love to have a Tig welder but just can't justify it. I would guess it is a lot like welding with gas.

Ken

[John McIntire]

Thats great for you! I tried TIG awhile back and let me just say, it wasn't pretty!!! Had trouble adding filler, controlling the weld puddle, touching the tungsten to the material, etc. I was a wreck!
It's been awhile since I tried it, but it is something that I would definitely like to master!

[parsonsj]

For sheetmetal, you can't beat a good MIG welder. TIG is too slow and puts too much heat into sheetmetal.

But, I recently made a tow hook for my Z06, and it was all TIG welded. I agree with the OP about the sheer joy of a nice TIG weld, and the satisfaction that brings. It's like magic...

This week I made a frame for my hand winch in my shop (to pull cars up 2" ramps to get the lift arms under them). I MIG-welded that... I just didn't want to spend the setup time to use my TIG machine.

Anyway, I guess I'm just saying that they both have their uses. I need 'em both.

jp

[ProjectSideOiler]

I have a nice machine of both, they both have their place depending on what's being welded. If you want nice its hard to beat the TIG

I also want to add: If doing much aluminum, stainless the TIG is simply amazing.

With the TIG you have to chose the right filler rod, AC or DC along with the correct tungsten depending on whats being welded.

I can put a bead on a Pepsi can with the TIG its simply a very enjoyable machine to use.

For older sheet metal having a MIG is a must. The tig needs very clean metal to work properly.

I LOVE EM both...

[ProjectSideOiler]

4 very Important tools in my home shop.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif

[ssealeycpa]

Thats great for you! I tried TIG awhile back and let me just say, it wasn't pretty!!! Had trouble adding filler, controlling the weld puddle, touching the tungsten to the material, etc. I was a wreck!
It's been awhile since I tried it, but it is something that I would definitely like to master!

That was me exactly until about 3 months ago. I bought 2 of Ron Covell's DVDs "Basic Tig Welding" and the "Advanced Tig Welding procudures" and I went to work applying what I had learned. For me, it was easier to start with something big (2.5"x2.5"x3/16"wall) on a rotissere project I am building. The first run looked terrible, the second not to bad and the 3rd and 4th side looked pretty good. This helped me control the weld puddle to get the tecnique down and then go to 18 or 20ga. metal. B/T/W I use a Miller Syncrowave 200 Roller unit. If use use the "pulser", you can control the heat and warpage. KNOW LETS GO TIG SOMETHING TODAY!

[Tony_SS]

I always wanted to learn how to weld... if only to make sculptures from old flywheels,cams and other parts.

[John McIntire]

Hey Steve,
Are those DVD's any good? I know Ron Covell is a wizard with metal, just didn't know about the quality of the tutorial on the DVD's. I've been meaning to pick up some of them.

[ssealeycpa]

Hey Steve,
Are those DVD's any good? I know Ron Covell is a wizard with metal, just didn't know about the quality of the tutorial on the DVD's. I've been meaning to pick up some of them.

I enjoyed them and learned alot. He uses a Miller Dynasty Tig machine which has more bells and whistles than mine but it is great to hear him explain the different settings and what they do. He is a great instructor. B/T/W I would also get his DVD on English Wheel Techniques.

[Bjkadron]

Well I actually haven't gotten one yet. A friend let me try his to make sure that is what I wanted. But I am looking at a miller dynasty series. or another series that I can't remember right now.

The thinnest I welded was some thicker tubing.. But as I said, It wasn't mine. So I couldn't exactly play around with it.

I know about the warping issues But I already have access to a mig, and with the "exotic" materials I will be working with it makes sense for me to get a TIG.

[parsonsj]

bought 2 of Ron Covell's DVDs "Basic Tig Welding" and the "Advanced Tig Welding procudures" Hey, those sound like they are worth watching. Where'd you get them?

jp

[ssealeycpa]

Hey, those sound like they are worth watching. Where'd you get them?

jp


John,

I got mine from Summit Racing. They have a good many of his DVD's. I highly recommend. He actually TIG welds aluminum foil (A bit of a gimmick, but it may be an easy way to win some beers from some bets with friends!)

[MonzaRacer]

OK Ill weigh in here, try www.weldingtipsandtricks.com.
I picked up a Thermal Arc inverter stick/tig.
Ill put it like this, TIG is cool, as for heat issues, well if you practice a lot the HAZ on TIG can be better than MIG, but MIG can get the job done well and fast.
New trick is finding Argon/Helium mix and while some say it wont work but Ihave done it, super clean aluminum guy has some UHP (Ultra High Purity) Helium and fired up a DC inverter welder and tada it works perfect. IT DOES WORK!
Also we are welding 1/4" hot rolled and using lower and lower amps, with argon/helium mix really works. The helium makes the welder think its bigger.
Trust me I turned a professional welder onto the sight, he loves it finding new stuff. Even as Jody has a new welding table that I love.
I really am looking to find a deal on one of the Everlast stick/tig/plasma I really need a plasma cutter too.
I have an Astro Mig welder too.
So I m going good , now a shop and a good torch.
Dont get me wrong TIG is cool but sometimes you just need to fire up mig or stick to get the job done.

[woody80z28]

I've got a buddy who picked up a TIG about a year ago and invited me to try it out whenever I'd like, but I haven't done it yet. I definitely need to do it though!

[MonzaRacer]

I also want to add: If doing much aluminum, stainless the TIG is simply amazing.

With the TIG you have to chose the right filler rod, AC or DC along with the correct tungsten depending on whats being welded.



I LOVE EM both...

Actually try locating 2% Lanthanted for everything! Trust me. Go check out www.weldingtipsandtricks.com