Whats your pleasure?

[k0ua]

I have both, I learned to weld using a stick almost 30 years ago. I didn't strike an arc for 25 years, then bought a MIG and learned all over again.

I like the AC/DC stick for quick projects and repairs, and it's the cat's azz for heavy stock.

The MIG is smoother, faster, and a much higher production machine. I have a spoolgun for welding aluminum, which was the primary reason I chose the MIG. There's nothing like MIG for light metal, except maybe TIG which I don't have. Yet.

Sean

Hi Sean, you should spring for the TIG setup on your DC stick welder, It is pretty cool, I am still learning, but I do like it. The regulator is about $25 and a 17V torch about $75 and whatever you can get a cylinder for locally. I gave $210 for a filled 125cf. cylinder of Argon. It is slow compared to even stick, and no way could keep up with MIG, but it is precise. Like gas welding but a much smaller Heat Affected Zone. Be sure to get some TiG rod as the RG45 gas rod seems to be porous with TIG.

James K0UA

 

[Chilly807]

Hi Sean, you should spring for the TIG setup on your DC stick welder, It is pretty cool, I am still learning, but I do like it. The regulator is about $25 and a 17V torch about $75 and whatever you can get a cylinder for locally. I gave $210 for a filled 125cf. cylinder of Argon. It is slow compared to even stick, and no way could keep up with MIG, but it is precise. Like gas welding but a much smaller Heat Affected Zone. Be sure to get some TiG rod as the RG45 gas rod seems to be porous with TIG.

James K0UA

I think I'll start looking into it.. I already have the argon cylinder, I use that for aluminum with the MIG. I assumed steel welding using TIG would use the same tri-mix gas as MIG?

Sean

 

[k0ua]

I think I'll start looking into it.. I already have the argon cylinder, I use that for aluminum with the MIG. I assumed steel welding using TIG would use the same tri-mix gas as MIG?

Sean

Everyone uses just pure Argon, and that is what I have. But I dont know what the results would be.. Probably ok...I have settled on 1/16 Lanthanated tungstens as they are not radioactive and maybe safer to grind instead of thoriated. I have some of the .040 tungstens but they would be for really thin stuff. the 1/16 goes up to about 150 amps. Of course I can see the usefullness of HF start and a foot pedal to taper off instead of having to snap up to cut off the arc, but even though it is crude to start and stop, once you are welding it is just fine. If you can gas weld well, I believe you would have no trouble getting into the TIG groove. It is pretty bright, and you need to cover up well or you will look like a cooked lobster and there is no smoke to shield you. No smoke, fumes, or not much noise. Just a little ozone smell. If you have the cylinder, you are just a few bucks away from striking your first TIG arc.

James K0UA

 

[yomax4]

It's MIG all the way. Thin Thick No Matter. I have a 400 amp Hi Def Pulse/TwinPulse Synergic Mig set up that also does stick and tig. Best Aluminum and Stainless Welds that look like Tig at Mig Speeds. Next I have a 300 amp multi process Mig Tig Stick with 4 Wheel Drive Feeder, ( use mainly for .023 Mig ) Next is a 200 amp AC/DC Tig Stick full featured with Pulse and variable Hz. Next is a 250 amp Mig Tig Stick Digital Integrated unit with a dozen extra features. Next is a Tig Stick 115/230v with trigger lock, Arc Force and Hot Start. Lastly a Ranger 8 Engine Drive with a Suitcase feeder. ( use to repair Deer Stands or for Aux power ) That's 6 Stick capable Welders, 4 Tig and 4 Mig setups. Still only use Stick if I can't reach with Mig or need some quick Cast or Chamfer work done. I love them all and am blessed to have them. I vote MIG.. :thumbsup:

 

[k0ua]

I think I'll start looking into it.. I already have the argon cylinder, I use that for aluminum with the MIG. I assumed steel welding using TIG would use the same tri-mix gas as MIG?

Sean

Here are 2 pieces of metal I welded together, yes I did grind off the weld but you can see it is not porous. It is about 14 maybe 16 guage metal. It was Tigged with a 1/16 Lanthanated tungsten at about 45 amps If I remember correctly. the red line shows where the weld seam was.

James K0UA

 

[kevinj]

Maybe pics should be included too.

 

[deereman75]

Maybe pics should be included too.

Nice dialarc and engine drive. Love the unisaw in the background.

 

[ericher69]

Not a professional welder but an enthusiastic hobbyist!

Learned to weld in high school with AC/DC stick and had a great shop teacher.

He was very adamant that stick and O/A was to be used and perfected before touching MIG (did not have luxury of TIG)

Coop placement with a local welding shop and the senior welder I was placed with told the boss on my first day that I would not be sweeping floors as I was here to learn and that he was taking me out on the job site.

Showed me all position stick plus high pressure pipe, repairs of aluminum props/skegs, stainless, etc etc.

I own both AC/DC 225/150amp miller thunderbolt clone and a Lincoln MIG 220V

I now prefer MIG for quicker repairs and fab but still use Stick when needed

33yrs and counting

 

[pickeringchris]

This is awesome stuff guys. I was asking age because I wanted to see if the old timers leaned towards stick and the young guns towards mig. This is somewhat true but not conclusive.
I never asked about flux core. Maybe that's the best of both worlds. On a 240v machine you can get darn good penetration on thicker materials and have better control than stick.

 

[pickeringchris]

Maybe pics should be included too.

Awesome pics Kevin. Cute trailer.