Why use wire or stick?

   / Why use wire or stick? #21  
The OP isn’t looking to buy. He already has a stick and a Mig.

So what is he looking for, to watch people struggle for $100 answers to 50 cent questions? I like to hear how people handle tasks but the task must be somewhat specific in order to gain useful information.
 
   / Why use wire or stick? #22  
So what is he looking for, to watch people struggle for $100 answers to 50 cent questions? I like to hear how people handle tasks but the task must be somewhat specific in order to gain useful information.

I suppose the OP would be the one to answer if he gained useful info or not. I know I have.
 
   / Why use wire or stick? #23  
I grew up with a stick welder. I got a MIG a few years ago, and I never got the hang of it. I seems the nozzle is always blocking my view, and it goes too fast for my liking. I can do a much better job with stick, so that's my preference.

Look at what arc is doing from off to the side not over top of gun....

Dale
 
   / Why use wire or stick? #24  
For the the nay sayers of how versatile MIG is....

MIGvsSTICK.jpg

Dale
 
   / Why use wire or stick? #25  
For the the nay sayers of how versatile MIG is....

View attachment 619743

Dale

I'd like to see you (or anyone else for that matter) butt weld 2 aluminum pop cans together with a MIG or a broken tape measure together with a MIG. Won't happen because you cannot dial the weld current down that far and you cannot control wet out sufficiently to not burn through. Can a MIG weld copper or copper alloy" Of course not. Only TIG plus with TIG, weld appearance is always excellent. Why I like it.

One thing the Linclon Tombstone is excellent for... Migrating earthworms out of the ground for fishing....:D
 
   / Why use wire or stick? #26  
Look at what arc is doing from off to the side not over top of gun....

Dale

+1. You can always position the nozzle to where you can see the weld and wire. In fact, it's always better to 'tilt' the nozzle about 30 dergress whether pushing or pulling.
 
   / Why use wire or stick? #27  
DC stick for sure and I was certified TIG and Stick;MIG is for shop/production work;PITA for field work.
 
   / Why use wire or stick? #28  
   / Why use wire or stick? #29  
Stick Welding

Pros: Cheaper lower cost Welder (I got a dnipro-m 260dpk $300 delivered from Ukraine works awesome), No Gas or Bottle Contracts, extremely portable, easy to get in tight areas, very good on 1/8" and up thicknesses.
Easy to find consumables in small towns.

Cons: Poor on thin metal, always chipping and buffing slag, Steeper learning curve to use, high fumes, constantly changing electrodes.

My Opinion: Probably the best for first time welders because of the low cost of entry and consumables. No bottle contract to pay if you are not using it. Get yourself a rod oven too, dry rods work much better.



Mig Welding

Pros: Non stop production, no chipping slag ever, less spatter than stick if set right, super easy to learn, works like a hot glue gun, less fumes, easy to automate, great on thin metal.

Cons: Expensive consumables, Not very portable, can be temperamental especially with different operators messing with the machine, Need shield gas that is expensive and requires bottle contract, Lots of moving parts and other consumables.

My opinion: Great units if you want easy welding, or high rates of production, and have the money to burn.

TIG

Pros: If you have mastered TIG you have mastered welding in its slowest and most beautiful form, you are now an artist, Congratulations!

Cons: You have no free time because you are always TIG'ing in your shop.
None of your other welder friends want to talk to you because your always TIG'ing something or talking about TIG'ing something.
Your welder friends still have not figured out how to TIG and are just jealous.
Your wife has probably left you because you have no time to spend with her you just TIG 24/7.

My Opinion: The most expensive, difficult and time consuming of all forms. But the results look beautiful.
 
   / Why use wire or stick? #30  
I'd like to see you (or anyone else for that matter) butt weld 2 aluminum pop cans together with a MIG or a broken tape measure together with a MIG. Won't happen because you cannot dial the weld current down that far and you cannot control wet out sufficiently to not burn through. Can a MIG weld copper or copper alloy" Of course not. Only TIG plus with TIG, weld appearance is always excellent. Why I like it.

One thing the Linclon Tombstone is excellent for... Migrating earthworms out of the ground for fishing....:D

The thinest Aluminum I have been able to do with Mig running 3/64 4047 wire was on 1/16 sheet. Pulse frequency 5 pps, Current change 50% and relationship 40%. Stack of dimes. I'm pretty sure I could do thinner with 030 wire. And yes you can weld copper, brass, bronze with Mig. Look up Aluminum Bronze, Phoz Bronze, De-Ox Copper and Silicon Bronze. All available in Mig wire. I use them all. Pop cans and tape measures are for sure tig applications and fun to do. I always enjoyed doing just that at shows. .040 tungsten. Fun stuff !
 

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