Tig Or Mig Welder

[ADH]

I currently own a 170 amp DC arc welder which has a TIG option if you buy the torch, however I am wondering which would be the best option for welding my welding.
Most of my welding is RHS from 1.6mm mild steel, upto 3mm in some cases. Which would be the most suitable mig or tig.
Also concerned about TIG welding with slight inaccuracies and gaps etc.

Thanks in advance for any advice

 

[Hitch]

Mig would be a cheaper option in the long term, cheaper consumables...Also a faster process in most cases, so theres also some time saving.

Only you know how much your time is worth, and whether you have enough welding to to to justify the extra cost of a complete Mig welder over a Tig torch...

 

[ADH]

Mig would be a cheaper option in the long term, cheaper consumables...Also a faster process in most cases, so theres also some time saving.

Only you know how much your time is worth, and whether you have enough welding to to to justify the extra cost of a complete Mig welder over a Tig torch...

Time is not an issue, however one further question is the welder I have only as control of amperage - is that is all that is needed for tig welding?

Thanks

 

[gavuk]

your invertor will be a scratch start tig so will only have amp control,gas being switched on the torch you don't have!,I wouldn't go to tig for the material your welding ,your arc is ideal ,mig is quicker and easier but has the downside of buying new equipement and possibly gas rental.If you want to try tig or mig then have a go ,but remember tig is slower and requires a new torch and gas too,mig is easier and faster but will also require gas and a new machine,if needed i'll write a letter to your bank manager explaining how you do need a mig welder or a tig torch...

 

[ADH]

,I wouldn't go to tig for the material your welding ,your arc is ideal

I would like to keep the arc, however because the material is so thin I'm having trouble with bunthrough, or if I lower the amperage i get slag inclusions or not much weld deposit?
Any hints?

 

[gavuk]

what welding rods are you using?and what size?

 

[ADH]

I am using 2.5mm 6013 AWS rods. I have tried to find some smaller rods and (7013's) but no-one lower than 2.5mm them except Bunnings (Australian harware store) and they are terrible quality.
What would you suggest?
Thanks

 

[gavuk]

Not sure what available to you in Oz,i would be tempted to try 3.2 rods as often the ratio of coating to wire is better ,2.5 can appear to have too much coating ,see if you can scrounge a few different rods to try ,i used to struggle with 2.5 on weldmesh so i normally use 3.2.....try and get a branded rod ,lincoln or murex for example and compare the difference