Gaining a better understanding...

[Ashley Burton]

I'm struggling to understand the benefits of a DC TIG welder vs MIG (Please excuse my ignorance)

I currently have a MIG & a MMA welder

But starting to question if there really is much benefit to using the TIG function on the MMA welder?

The impression I get is that TIG uses more gas & that I would need to get a bottle of Argon.

So apart from the additional outlay, Am I really going to see any major benefits or am I best not wasting my time?

Many Thanks

 

[addjunkie]

All depens what ou are trying to weld really

 

[Ashley Burton]

All depens what ou are trying to weld really

Thats the problem I can't see why I would need to use the TIG function if it takes longer than MIG, It's going to cost me an additional bottle of gas & potentially use more gas than MIG. So struggling to see the positives if I'm honest!

MIG can be used on thin stuff upto medium thickness, Then I've got the arc welding function on the MMA welder to do the thicker stuff.

I can understand that TIG is very precise & that AC TIG machines are used for welding aluminium. But where's the major benefits to a DC TIG welder?

 

[8ob]

Try a dc tig with a pedal on some thin steel Ashley, I guarantee you wont look at the mig for thin stuff ever again

Bob

 

[anto44]

Stainless is what I mainly use dc tig for. Be rare I'd use tig on mild steel. Tig brazing is another thing you can use it for which is a very handy thing to have at your disposal. It depends what you're welding really whether the tig is worth getting .

 

[optima21]

if you use DC tig on thin steel, once you get the hang of it, there is less finishing than with mig as there should be less metal to grind back when metal finishing. also with tig welding the welded join is softer than with mig, so it is easier to work than mig.

 

[Ashley Burton]

Try a dc tig with a pedal on some thin steel Ashley, I guarantee you wont look at the mig for thin stuff ever again

Bob

Can you get a pedal for a MMA DC TIG machine that has lift start? Is that not only available on high frequency machines?

 

[discomikey]

MIG is great for many things, it's probably your best "all rounder," for the following reasons:

• It's the fastest mainstream form of welding
• It's easier to learn than TIG
• It's more forgiving to dirty/contaminated steel (not as much as MMA though.
• It requires less concentration to control the puddle
• gas is cheaper

DC TIG:

• much neater when welding more fiddly and complex stuff
• If you're going to weld stainless then really IMO TIG is the only way to go. (yes you can stainless MIG I know but it just isnt as nice/neat)
• much more precise control over the puddle is available and therefore heat control is better
• Control of penetration is better as you aren't instantly dumping filler metal in as soon as the arc is initiated like MIG

I wouldn't entertain Tig welding a chassis repair.. but then I wouldn't bother MIG welding up a custom stainless exhaust system.
both have their downfalls such as welding outside and the loss of gas coverage etc.

 

[Ashley Burton]

I think I might just take the plunge & have a play with the TIG function on my MMA welder. Even if it costs me a bottle of gas in the process!

MIG is great for many things, it's probably your best "all rounder," for the following reasons:

• It's the fastest mainstream form of welding
• It's easier to learn than TIG
• It's more forgiving to dirty/contaminated steel (not as much as MMA though.
• It requires less concentration to control the puddle
• gas is cheaper

DC TIG:

• much neater when welding more fiddly and complex stuff
• If you're going to weld stainless then really IMO TIG is the only way to go. (yes you can stainless MIG I know but it just isnt as nice/neat)
• much more precise control over the puddle is available and therefore heat control is better
• Control of penetration is better as you aren't instantly dumping filler metal in as soon as the arc is initiated like MIG

I wouldn't entertain Tig welding a chassis repair.. but then I wouldn't bother MIG welding up a custom stainless exhaust system.
both have their downfalls such as welding outside and the loss of gas coverage etc.

I did plan to build a bike frame at some point, So I suppose the DC TIG would be more ideal!

 

[addjunkie]

If you have the type of welder i suspect you might need a tig torch with a valve...if your machine doesnt have a gas solenoid

 

[Ashley Burton]

If you have the type of welder i suspect you might need a tig torch with a valve...if your machine doesnt have a gas solenoid

I have the torch with gas valve already. Just need to pay out for a bottle of Argon

 

[8ob]

Can you get a pedal for a MMA DC TIG machine that has lift start? Is that not only available on high frequency machines?

Rtech comes with a pedal option https://www.r-techwelding.co.uk/tig...MIxqaHk4Kz2QIV75ztCh06fAWyEAQYASABEgLI__D_BwE

And there is this https://www.welduk.com/product/foot-pedal-inverter

Bob

 

[Ashley Burton]

Rtech comes with a pedal option https://www.r-techwelding.co.uk/tig...MIxqaHk4Kz2QIV75ztCh06fAWyEAQYASABEgLI__D_BwE

And there is this https://www.welduk.com/product/foot-pedal-inverter

Bob

Looks like you can only get them for high frequency machines

 

[500e]

R-Tech DC TIG Welder 160 Amp 240v
The R-Tech TIG160PDC is a feature rich 160Amp TIG Welder with 240V input, high frequency starting, pulse welding, slope up/down, LED display, high 35% duty cycle and optional foot pedal.

Do you mean inverter machines

 

[8ob]

Looks like you can only get them for high frequency machines

Not sure about pedal conversions Ashley I thought you were debating whether to buy one or not . I never use a tig without a pedal, my one and only attempt at scratch start tig was not pretty

Bob

 

[Ashley Burton]

R-Tech DC TIG Welder 160 Amp 240v
The R-Tech TIG160PDC is a feature rich 160Amp TIG Welder with 240V input, high frequency starting, pulse welding, slope up/down, LED display, high 35% duty cycle and optional foot pedal.

Do you mean inverter machines

Yeah the Parweld XTS202 MMA Inverter Welder is lift start, Not High Frequency unfortunately!

Not sure about pedal conversions Ashley I thought you were debating whether to buy one or not . I never use a tig without a pedal, my one and only attempt at scratch start tig was not pretty

Bob

Yeah its going to be interesting when I do get a bottle of Argon