Welding ?'s
Welding ?'s I want to buy a welder and teach myself to weld, but I have no idea what kind to buy. What is the difference between MIG and TIG ? What I wanna eventually do is be able to weld on my exhaust, fabricate things, build go carts, etc. Also what are the costs for a setup like I want?
Re: Welding ?'s MIG is a wire feed system. You pull the trigger and go. the wire is automatically fed out the end of the gun. It is the fastest type of welding. Simple to learn.
TIG is much more complicated and harder to learn and master. In one hand you hold the gun, in the other you hold your welding wire. The best way to describe it is brazing. It uses tungston steel sharpened to a point to create the arc. You actually melt the metal and the wire melts into it. Using a fig 8 pattern you roll the cup along the surface.
The equipment is also expensive. It is the cleanest, slowest, strongest weld. You can TIG w/o clothes!
Seriously, there are no sparks, just a glow. Oh and it's an absolutely beautiful weld as well.
I'm certified in almost every application of SMAW and GTAW so if you have any questions or need some tips, feel free to ask.
The best tip I can give you if you go with TIG:
Rolling the cup can be hard to get sometimes. I struggled until I was told to think of rolling a keg to move it, took about 5 min to get it figured out after that!
TIG is much more complicated and harder to learn and master. In one hand you hold the gun, in the other you hold your welding wire. The best way to describe it is brazing. It uses tungston steel sharpened to a point to create the arc. You actually melt the metal and the wire melts into it. Using a fig 8 pattern you roll the cup along the surface.
The equipment is also expensive. It is the cleanest, slowest, strongest weld. You can TIG w/o clothes!
Seriously, there are no sparks, just a glow. Oh and it's an absolutely beautiful weld as well.I'm certified in almost every application of SMAW and GTAW so if you have any questions or need some tips, feel free to ask.
The best tip I can give you if you go with TIG:
Rolling the cup can be hard to get sometimes. I struggled until I was told to think of rolling a keg to move it, took about 5 min to get it figured out after that!
Re: Welding ?'s Any books you would recommend, also brands, etc. Due to money constraints I may have to start out with MIG and go to TIG when I can. Do you know what the cost difference is between the two setups and what all do I need to start out?
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Re: Welding ?'s Ryan, you can use my MIG welder if you want to practice. I'm not the best welder myself since I never have to use it, but its handy for when I do need one. You may be able to take some welding classes somewhere too.
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Re: Welding ?'s MIG is very easy to learn. It took about 2-3 times welding various things to get the hang of setting the wire speed and power dial. Once you get the settings down then just put on your shield and watch the puddle behind the arc. Don't watch the arc because you'll end up burning through whatever you're welding. 
Sometimes I wish I had more projects to weld on. It's satisfying for some reason being able to join two pieces of metal together(does that sound wierd
). I'd love to have a better machine than I do but, I really can't justify getting one. Maybe like this one
<a href="http://content.lincolnelectric.com/pdfs/products/literature/e756.pdf" target="_blank"><font color="red">Power Mig 300<!--color--></font></a>
Sometimes I wish I had more projects to weld on. It's satisfying for some reason being able to join two pieces of metal together(does that sound wierd
). I'd love to have a better machine than I do but, I really can't justify getting one. Maybe like this one <a href="http://content.lincolnelectric.com/pdfs/products/literature/e756.pdf" target="_blank"><font color="red">Power Mig 300<!--color--></font></a>
Re: Welding ?'s <------------Ryan on Bo's name
Thanks Joe, were you gonna let me borrow it or use it at the shop? If at the shop, just lemme know what kinda times to come by, it'll probly be a week or two though, since I'm moving into my new house next week. bling bling
Thanks Joe, were you gonna let me borrow it or use it at the shop? If at the shop, just lemme know what kinda times to come by, it'll probly be a week or two though, since I'm moving into my new house next week. bling bling
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Re: Welding ?'s I got functional with my MIG after about 10 welds, Do yourself a favor and get an electronic mask. Worth every penny if your going to be welding alot. I'm nearsighted and have to go without glasses with my face right on top of the work.
JTM, You want to TIG headers, just spot weld them with a mig and go to a pro. Headers from ED has some good advise on making headers.
JTM, You want to TIG headers, just spot weld them with a mig and go to a pro. Headers from ED has some good advise on making headers.
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From: Austin TX
Re: Welding ?'s I got a Hobart mig 135, from Tractor Supply company, was cheap around 500 with all the cool extra **** you will buy while you are there and your wife is yelling...oh and it works great. best thing about it is that i can take it anywhere cause it runs on gas and 110 volts. i have welded exhaust and a roll cage with it and no problems. i am building a BBQ pit now i will let you know how that comes out.
Re: Welding ?'s I have a Miller 210 with spool gun. It's one of the better MIGs and will weld aluminum as well as steel. Just make sure you get a MIG that uses gas rather than flux core wire. I'd go for a TIG though if you can swing the price.
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Re: Welding ?'s I bought a MIG 100 from harbor freight for $99 when it was on sale. The best $99 I ever spent! It comes with 2 pounds of wire, a cheap face sheild, extra tips, little hammer and brush. It has two power settings plus variable speed for the wire feed. It runs on 110v.
If you are not sure if you want to start welding or not, this is certainly a cheap way to try it out. I've never welded before, and I think I'm pretty good now....
The only thing I bought was a full face shield for $5 on Ebay (NEW!) and a pair of welding gloves...
Tommy
If you are not sure if you want to start welding or not, this is certainly a cheap way to try it out. I've never welded before, and I think I'm pretty good now....
The only thing I bought was a full face shield for $5 on Ebay (NEW!) and a pair of welding gloves...
Tommy
Re: Welding ?'s I would watch out for the electronic shields. Some use them a LOT, I used them, as did a co-worker and we both ended up going to the doctor with burned retnas. I went ~ 3 years ago, he just went last month. Technology for us hardcore welders has yet to come.
Can you get away with it for a few welds? Maybe even a week, but over the course of 2 months, I did a lot of damage to the eyes.
Get a full face, shade 12 lense. I started with a 10, and now use a 12. The co-worker uses a 14.
Can you get away with it for a few welds? Maybe even a week, but over the course of 2 months, I did a lot of damage to the eyes.
Get a full face, shade 12 lense. I started with a 10, and now use a 12. The co-worker uses a 14.
