mig weld audi r8

[tigler]

Would it be correct to say that MIG splatters but TIG doesn't ?

 

[malcolm]

I thought we met at the Lorch meet last year. Did you try the synergic fancy pulse stuff that was set up there? Doesn't spatter.

MIG is a broad term. The machine we can afford are way different from the machines those guys use. We mess around in dip transfer with machines of varying proficiency from completely useless to reasonably good. Those guys will be in pulsed spray transfer which is on another level.

 

[tigler]

Didn't try it personally but now you mention it I do recall the absence of splatter.

 

[hotrodder]

would any of the professionals here who weld for a living care to tell me why TIG is a better weld than MIG?

i know its the most pleasing on the eye but is it a stronger weld or something?

As said, many of the issues with MIG are usually down to comparing a basic/DIY set with an AC TIG... feeding issues, cold starts and the like. Differences/issues related to the actual process itself... MIG tends to suffer more from hydrogen porosity due to the faster freezing weldpool and higher travel speeds.

 

[NeilH]

As said, many of the issues with MIG are usually down to comparing a basic/DIY set with an AC TIG... feeding issues, cold starts and the like. Differences/issues related to the actual process itself... MIG tends to suffer more from hydrogen porosity due to the faster freezing weldpool and higher travel speeds.

ok then let me ask this, is a GOOD quality TIG weld better/stronger than a
MIG weld of the same quality?

i assume you are going to say it wil depend on the application.

but on a like for like basis..............?

 

[julieanncharters]

not watched the program but there's also tig with wire feed which produces mint welds and is a lot quicker than standard tig.
best of both worlds.
not used one of the latest twin pulse mig jobbies but old synergics i,ve used seem to take a lot of tinkering to get a decent looking weld on aluminum.
then you go back to tig on aluminum and old type synergic mig looks like **** in comparison.
mig cold start lump on ali is a pain in the **** as well.
guys i know on aluminum ship welding were made to flatten off all starts with flap disc years ago when stitch welding hull stiffners.
prob not an issue on these new twin pulse machines.
always happy you,ve got decent fusion on ali with tig as its a lot slower and you have time to control/watch the puddle.
doesn't feel the same with the faster pace of mig.
when welding 5083 marine ali, you always seem to get a bit of smut/soot with mig which you don't with tig.
big bonus for reduced distortion ,the speed of mig on ali makes a huge difference.
i'm no expert just my observations.

 

[hotrodder]

ok then let me ask this, is a GOOD quality TIG weld better/stronger than a
MIG weld of the same quality?

i assume you are going to say it wil depend on the application.

but on a like for like basis..............?

Sort of, i'm going to say it depends on what you mean by 'stronger' [/pedantic]

'As welded' the softest/weakest area of an aluminium weld will be around the HAZ where the base metal has been annealed/partially annealed. If anything MIG should be better in this regard. From a fatigue strength POV i would reckon TIG would generally be better in the real world. Oxy fuel can be better still but you're going to have a larger annealed area which isn't big deal for some things but a huge deal for others

 

[tigler]

Isn't TIG the preferred method for critical and root welds though ?
Also, how would TIG work with wire feed ? I thought the whole point of TIG was the tungsten electrode ?

 

[Paul.]

Semi automated tig welding with wire feeder http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lvi8nyXEsCU&feature=player_embedded#at=107

and here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jQIJr-6o21c&feature=related

Fairly common in production of valves fittings etc, and reclamation work of shafts

 

[tigler]

Got it !! I had a mental picture of the wire being fed through the torch, hence by confusion ! The second vid is amazing !! Thanks.

 

[Shox Dr]

There's a Wire feeder on ebay for a TIG.

It's been loads of times in the last few months at £500+ with no sale. It's on now for 100quid. Wish I could find a use for it

 

[malcolm]

There was a documentary the other night about the new Mercedes Gull Wing (SLS). A very short bit of aluminium MIG welding in there. Camera didn't show what they doing but the sound wasn't like frying bacon, more an extremely angry wasp - the sound of high frequency pulse from a synergic doing something clever.

 

[STOCKSY]

hi i didnt see the program but if it i am on a car body repair course and learned that any structual parts of cars these days are welded with a mig but it is braized because of the metal is made from 2 diferent metals for the strength and alot of cars these days are laser welded by robots i dont know if this is what you are talking about