tig or mig
06-23-2011, 07:45 PM
#1
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tig or mig So I've decided the money I will spend having a shop install my turbo set up I could buy a welder and do it myself. So my question is tig or mig? And also brands etc would help. I wont actually be welding everything a guy from work will be.
06-23-2011, 08:18 PM
#2
A tig would be best if you have to money. A miller syncrowave 250 is of the best machines for the money. It can be pricey, but is a nice machine. With a good tig machine you have the ability to do aluminum. With a mig aluminum requires a spool gun that is somewhat pricey. A tig welder will provide a much cleaner weld. A mig welder can be had for $1000 or less and get you a decent machine. The downside is that the weld is not as pretty as a tig and the versatility of doing different materials is not as easy as with a tig. I have a hobart 140 with a gas setup that does a good job on exhaust tubing and will weld roll cages no problem. It is good for smaller stuff, but I would like to have a tig machine that will put out 250 amps or more for heavier stuff.
06-23-2011, 08:32 PM
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Ok thank you... so rig it is. Also is lincoln a good brand or a no no? I only like to buy **** once and I want it to last. Lol I just bought a 300$ drill to spite the old lady and to top it off the car is in the body shop hahaha. So tig it is, is there any specific brand. That will do the job better than others? Thanks for the advice guys.
06-23-2011, 08:48 PM
#5
Ok thank you... so rig it is. Also is lincoln a good brand or a no no? I only like to buy **** once and I want it to last. Lol I just bought a 300$ drill to spite the old lady and to top it off the car is in the body shop hahaha. So tig it is, is there any specific brand. That will do the job better than others? Thanks for the advice guys.
06-23-2011, 09:24 PM
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Cool thanks guys. Ya 2100 is way over my limit I want to spend just for.the fact idk how so I can't do.much with it myself. But thanks I will.be getting a tig welder. Thanks for all the help
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06-23-2011, 10:36 PM
#10
I personally am a Miller guy, check this website they have HTP machines I have welded with these as well and they are a great machine for the price, around $850 (Invertec 130) this machine can weld up to 3/16" although it is only a DC machine you need AC for aluminum. It is also a hi freq machine.
USAWeld.com
USAWeld.com
Last edited by blownnova; 06-23-2011 at 10:50 PM.
06-23-2011, 10:47 PM
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Tig is by far the best if you are patient and can make the things you fabricate look like art pieces. If you want ease and speed go for a mig. Having a good tig that can use ac current to weld aluminum is great if you want to fabricate custom parts because aluminum is so much easier to work with than mild steel. I have a tig welded aluminum dash and console I made in my GN. An entry level tig that I have heard works great and am about to buy myself is the harbor freight tig. It doesnt have a pedal to control amperage so you have to weld carefully towards the end of the weld but they sell kits to add one and the welder is only 400. It cannot weld aluminum as it is only dc.
06-24-2011, 03:44 AM
#13
I bought a miller syncrowave 200 used with the cart and bottle for 1000 bucks. It's a heavy bitch though and I had to drive 3 hours to get it, but it was like new! Just look around for a deal, hopefully you can find it.
As far as mig goes, I'll be picking up a hobart. I've heard a ton of good things about them.
As far as mig goes, I'll be picking up a hobart. I've heard a ton of good things about them.
06-24-2011, 05:22 AM
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tig is nice, but if you're just starting out get a mig. we'd all love a tig, but we all start with a mig. i suggest you do the same... much more affordable, and much easier learning curve wise. you may spend an hour learning your mig welder, a tig will take a **** load longer to learn.
06-24-2011, 05:32 AM
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Go with TIG if you can. The versatility of materials you can readily weld is much higher. I had a Lincoln Prescision TIG 175 for the last 6 years till I upgraded to a Fronius. A few months back I picked up a new Magicwave 3000.
I paid $1K for my lincoln used. I am sure you can find a good used one no problem.
I paid $1K for my lincoln used. I am sure you can find a good used one no problem.
06-24-2011, 06:48 AM
#16
I use Ok thank you... so rig it is. Also is lincoln a good brand or a no no? I only like to buy **** once and I want it to last. Lol I just bought a 300$ drill to spite the old lady and to top it off the car is in the body shop hahaha. So tig it is, is there any specific brand. That will do the job better than others? Thanks for the advice guys.
U might want to teach your wife to weld... She may end up w/ whatever machine you do buy!
06-24-2011, 08:58 AM
#19
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I picked up an Everlast inverter 200A Tig for $925 shipped earlier this year from Ebay. AC, DC, stick, and MMA. 250A versions are nicer, come with a plasma cutter, and are $1600.
