I want to learn how to start welding, get into some basic fabrication. I was wondering what kind of welders I can look at. Can someone tell me the difference between all the types, ie, mig, tig, stick......yadda yadda.

Thanks

FX

 

I would recommend mig just because of the ease of operation. Make sure to use gas wire setup because gasless/ fluxcore sucks! I have a Hobart 175 that gets the job done but I would rather have a MillerMatic.

 

I have a Miller stick...its alright and will definately weld the thick stuff, but its a pain to get it to lay down a nice looking bead. I've heard it takes LOTS of practice to weld good with a stick welder, and I don't have time to practice lots. I'd also say go with a gas/wire MIG welder

 

I would start with MIG hands down

 

MIG is a great way to learn. each method has its strengths over each other.

MIG imho is just a great blend of quality and ease, also good for bridging gaps or fixing small holes.

TIG is for a perfect joint, makes a smooth weld if you have practice at it.

stick welding, well its harder, but the strength can definitely surpass tig or mig. for me, its mostly just easier to get an extension for a stick welder to reach projects up in the air 50 ft.

 

good job klitch i couldnt have said it better


for the average garage mig is perfect but as was stated earlier try to stay away from gasless or at leasr get one that can be converted to gas welding

 

my mig is a little lincoln i converted from a flux core. i actually got very good with flux core, it definitely has one major advantage... go outside in the wind and weld with it without any hiccups! very versatile.

forgot to mention, with TIG, i think its the only one you can make sanitary welds with.

 

good point on the wind and i believe your spot on with the sanitary welds

 

sanitary meaning food grade? or looks clean? cuz either way you can do it with mig as well

 

food grade was my thought. ok so its not the only way, i suppose you could purge the pipe with mig, im just not clear on if the inside of the weld would be welded / seamless and smooth. cant have any burrs, berries, cracks or impurities of any kind and i've just never tried that with mig.

 

with proper gas wire and experience its possible

 

All I have is a cracker box and also a flux core wire feed. The flux core is ok like someone stated wind can affect them, but also it is hard to get the sheiding to work well in corners, The stick welder, I can do a decent bead with. Also with the stick, it doesn't throw any internal breakers while I weld.
I don't need to do enough welding to justify a more expensive mig.
But the gas shield is much better than the flux.

 

i have a Hobart Ironman 210 with 75/25 gas and have never had any problems with welds breaking. had it for about 7 years now and still loving it. i like it because it rolls around.

 

Everyone has definately given good advice! I not too long ago moved from Cleveland where i spent 4 years working for Lincoln Electric and during that time learned A LOT about welding.

The questions you need to ask yourself before you get into welding are..

What are you wanting to weld...thicknes of metal, type of metal, whats its use?

How much do you want to spend on a welder? TIG welding is not only a very effective way to weld, its a LOT of fun but very difficult to learn. And a good TIG welder will set you back $1000-$2000...probably not the best place to start welding.


Types of welding...

Stick - Cheap to start, not too difficult to learn, but it can be tricky. You can weld pretty much any thickness of metal with a stick welder when using the proper rod. Needs no gas but doesn't come out too pretty. Stick welding becuase of its shielding coating creates a lot of spatter (excess little metal that will stick to your work) and usually wont leave you with a beautiful weld you want to show off. Stick is generally defined as good for farm and repair. Meaning its rather portable...with electricity of course...and is good for making repairs and patching old welds. I wouldnt buiild a chopper with a stick welder by any means!

MIG - MIG is the most veristile type of welding and is VERY easy to learn. You can MIG weld with gas or with flux cored wire which does not require gas. Set up your welder, pull a trigger and your off and welding. You can weld thin sheet metal up to 1/2" with the right MIG welder. It can produce very nice looking strong welds. It can produce a "sanitary" weld, especially when welding stainless or aluminum which can most certainly be done with a MIG welder...you will need a seperate wire feeding gun...but most people reserve stainless and aluminum welder for TIG, but it is much easier to do with a properly set up MIG welder. Gotta keep moving to ill bounce to TIG.

TIG - TIG welding is an art form. From welding titanium exhaust to aluminum race car seats, TIG is the way to go. TIG provides GREAT accuracy, but has a very HIGH learning curve. You need to have a torch in one hand, your filler metal in the other, control the amprage to the torch with your foot and make sure neither your torch tungsten or the filler metal touch your work...not the easiest. But, when mastered, there isnt a lot you cannot do with a TIG welder, but as i said, they are quite expensive. One last thing about TIG, every TIG welder is also a STICK welder, so that something to keep in mind.

Final question. Are you running 110 or 220 elec service? Im pretty sure most TIG will only work on 220 (i would have to check on that to make sure) but I have a Lincoln Power MIG that runs on 110 and one that runs on 220.

Theres a quick rundown.

I do have a Lincoln SP175 for sale by the way.

 

kruse, we have a 110 welder for portable tig welds.