Stick or MIG

[Gary Fowler]

I began welding professionally using SMAW (stick) and after a few years welding pressure piping, I learned TIG then MIG. Some exotic metals can only be welded with TIG but for the average Joe homeowner, stick rod will do all you need to do. It is by far the cheaper of the processes since you only need a power source and welding electrodes.

Many folks claim stick is harder to use than MIG but if you go to a welding school, you will learn stick rod welding first because it really is the basic process in welding which all other processes build upon. It really is easier to learn to make strong, solid welds with stick than with any other process. MIG seems easier because you dont have to contend with arc length since the machine does this far you and with auto wire feed that makes it seem easier, but in fact it is much harder to learn to make good welds with a MIG than with stick.
When I taught welding at a local college, I always told the students that you can put more metal on with a MIG in 5 minutes than you can grind off in 30. MIG is notorious for improper fusion at the base due to not having the machine set correctly. While it may look pretty, it could be a very weak weld. I would never recommend using one of the 110V machines, you just cant get enough amps to properly fuse anything more than really thin gauge sheet metal.

Unless sheet metal is all you are going to be working on, stick (pun intended) with SMAW machine. I recommend E6010 and E7018 for DC welding(Buy only a DC machine or combination AD/DC). With 3/32" and 1/8" rods in each of these, you can weld just about anything on a farm.

E7018 is the hardest rod to get an arc started but it makes the smoother weld. You have to hold an extremely short arc length with it which sometimes might cause it to freeze to the puddle if you have a power fluctuation, but dont give up on it.

 

[nybirdman]

I began welding professionally using SMAW (stick) and after a few years welding pressure piping, I learned TIG then MIG. Some exotic metals can only be welded with TIG but for the average Joe homeowner, stick rod will do all you need to do. It is by far the cheaper of the processes since you only need a power source and welding electrodes.

Many folks claim stick is harder to use than MIG but if you go to a welding school, you will learn stick rod welding first because it really is the basic process in welding which all other processes build upon. It really is easier to learn to make strong, solid welds with stick than with any other process. MIG seems easier because you dont have to contend with arc length since the machine does this far you and with auto wire feed that makes it seem easier, but in fact it is much harder to learn to make good welds with a MIG than with stick.
When I taught welding at a local college, I always told the students that you can put more metal on with a MIG in 5 minutes than you can grind off in 30. MIG is notorious for improper fusion at the base due to not having the machine set correctly. While it may look pretty, it could be a very weak weld. I would never recommend using one of the 110V machines, you just cant get enough amps to properly fuse anything more than really thin gauge sheet metal.

Unless sheet metal is all you are going to be working on, stick (pun intended) with SMAW machine. I recommend E6010 and E7018 for DC welding(Buy only a DC machine or combination AD/DC). With 3/32" and 1/8" rods in each of these, you can weld just about anything on a farm.

E7018 is the hardest rod to get an arc started but it makes the smoother weld. You have to hold an extremely short arc length with it which sometimes might cause it to freeze to the puddle if you have a power fluctuation, but dont give up on it.

As a retired professional pipe welder;this is excellent advise.Go DC stick.

 

[RandyT]

I have always hear that it is hard to make a bad stick weld look good, but the prettiest mig can be just window dressing with no substance.

 

[k0ua]

I began welding professionally using SMAW (stick) and after a few years welding pressure piping, I learned TIG then MIG. Some exotic metals can only be welded with TIG but for the average Joe homeowner, stick rod will do all you need to do. It is by far the cheaper of the processes since you only need a power source and welding electrodes.

Many folks claim stick is harder to use than MIG but if you go to a welding school, you will learn stick rod welding first because it really is the basic process in welding which all other processes build upon. It really is easier to learn to make strong, solid welds with stick than with any other process. MIG seems easier because you dont have to contend with arc length since the machine does this far you and with auto wire feed that makes it seem easier, but in fact it is much harder to learn to make good welds with a MIG than with stick.
When I taught welding at a local college, I always told the students that you can put more metal on with a MIG in 5 minutes than you can grind off in 30. MIG is notorious for improper fusion at the base due to not having the machine set correctly. While it may look pretty, it could be a very weak weld. I would never recommend using one of the 110V machines, you just cant get enough amps to properly fuse anything more than really thin gauge sheet metal.

Unless sheet metal is all you are going to be working on, stick (pun intended) with SMAW machine. I recommend E6010 and E7018 for DC welding(Buy only a DC machine or combination AD/DC). With 3/32" and 1/8" rods in each of these, you can weld just about anything on a farm.

E7018 is the hardest rod to get an arc started but it makes the smoother weld. You have to hold an extremely short arc length with it which sometimes might cause it to freeze to the puddle if you have a power fluctuation, but dont give up on it.

What he said ^^. I have welded plenty with a Lincoln AC "buzzbox" but I sold it in favor of my little Everlast PA160 DC only welder. I also TIG with this same welder. Stick for everything heavy and TIG the really light stuff. I have looked hard at MIG welders, and they sure have their place, but I just don't seem to need one as I can TIG the sheetmetal. Sure it is much slower, but it sure is pretty.

DC stick welding with a good 7018 rod makes some nice pretty welds with very low spatter. Low cost, good penetration and good looking welds. What is not to like. Sure it takes a bit more skill to get it done. But is easy enough to learn if you will "stick" with it.

 

[Birdhunter1]

For the price of the one you listed I would get ahold of Mark Lugo on here with Everlast and see what he has in a stick machine, they are great machines.

 

[tradosaurus]

After finding out the stick welder at Harbor Freight weighs 145 lbs I went with a Chinese knock off that weighs about 16 lbs and is $200 cheaper.
The reviews were good and I was able to score a 4 yr squaretrade warranty for $13.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B06W5K3414/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

The little welding I will do I think stick will satisfy my needs.

 

[tradosaurus]

I learned how to weld with stick years ago and haven't welded in 30 years and recently I decided to build a couple of implements instead of buy them. I needed a welding machine, so I bought a stick machine going with what I know plus the upfront cost of a decent stick machine fits my needs and it will not be used much. Too much else on the property development project list....

MIG's by far are easier for me to use because of my dwindled stick skills but buying/renting a gas cylinder on top of paying for a decent MIG machine just took them out of the picture for me.

That's exactly why I decided against MIG.

 

[MH8675309]

Amazing how many folks dont know the virtue of the stick. A few years back I had to modify a snow plow frame for the plow Id bought from my neighbor to fit my truck. He asked if I knew someone who could weld and I said well yeah I can. What kind of welder do you have he asked and I told him a stick welder. Oh dude - you need a mig for this job - 5/16 plate steel lap welding. I told him well let me run a bead and then you can tell me what you think. So I ran a good hot root pass - the slag pealed off by itself - and he looked at it said Oh that should hold. I told him 2 more passes and thisl be done. Then i said you know,, a plow frame has alotta stress on it and it has to be done right,,,

 

[aczlan]

For the price of the one you listed I would get ahold of Mark Lugo on here with Everlast and see what he has in a stick machine, they are great machines.

I linked to the one that I bought at the end of last year, the PowerArc200STi. I have been very happy with it.

Aaron Z

 

[Roger9107]

Lots of variables. Thick metals outdoors (bad conditions) - stick. Thin metals under 3/8 (indoors) with time of essence ie production- mig. Bad metal condition (rust, dirt, grease, etc.) stick. 7018 stick - strong, good looking welds - hard restarts. Mig (GMAW) gas bottles. Flux core - lots of splatter but good outdoors. Buzz box/tombstone machines (transformers) - heavy current draw heavy machines. Inverter mig/stick machines relatively light. I could go on - and on.

 

[dragoneggs]

Lots of variables. Thick metals outdoors (bad conditions) - stick. Thin metals under 3/8 (indoors) with time of essence ie production- mig. Bad metal condition (rust, dirt, grease, etc.) stick. 7018 stick - strong, good looking welds - hard restarts. Mig (GMAW) gas bottles. Flux core - lots of splatter but good outdoors. Buzz box/tombstone machines (transformers) - heavy current draw heavy machines. Inverter mig/stick machines relatively light. I could go on - and on.

Succinct summary! :drink:

 

[Mark @ Everlast]

Who said you had to choose between the two? For those guys who need both the Everlast Power I-MIG offers both on the same unit for less than a gray and orange competitor does for just MIG.

 

[PILOON]

If heavy duty is your goal, then stick is probably the way to go.
For smaller more delicate jobs then mig or tig will shine.
Then complication sets in with AC or DC and the multitudes of rods or coils of wire.

I'm a self taught DIY welder and actually started welding with a home made stick machine.
Over time I developed or honed my techniques to the point that I can do most anything I need.
Some rods are harder to use than others but you soon learn.

Earlier in the game I was able to purchase a wide assortment (like 5 rods of each type and size) and experimented, that sure helped.

OK, some rods have higher strength but do U need it? or high wear (hard face) again?
For me I settled down to a general purpose (6011/6013) and so far no failures but then it is not pipeline welding or excavator bucket repairs.

You soon learn to keep your rods nice and dry like to use an oven (which is easy to DIY*) or store them near the furnace.

* a wooden closed box and 100 watt bulb can crudely suffice.

Good luck!
Welding can be fun and actually also a form of art. Much creative welded art work can be found to do.

 

[MoArk Willy]

I bought one of those Amico DC welders directly from the company for $139.99...except it's blue.
I haven't welded in decades but in 30 minutes I was able to make decent welds that looked good and most of all held.
I can't remember ever welding as easily with the old big AC welder but this machine makes it easy.
I'm a hobbyist who likes to repair my own stuff and this fits the bill. I would like a flux wire machine but that can wait for now.

 

[yomax4]

Man there are a lot of Stick folks out there. truth be known, You can easily weld 1" plate with mig. Nearly all production of Buckets, Ships, Cranes, Caterpillars, Bob Cat, John Deere, Hum Vees etc is all Mig. So it's not just thin stuff. Don't get me wrong, I love stick welding and Tig as well but if I had to pick, it would be 300+ amp mig unit and I would sneak in a little 160 amp 115/230v DC Stick inverter with PFC and VRD for outside.

 

[metalbender]

For sure the big migs do most of the hd commercial work. Pricewise though, not usually purchased by the farm shop or home workshop that doesn't actually make money welding.

 

[yomax4]

For sure the big migs do most of the hd commercial work. Pricewise though, not usually purchased by the farm shop or home workshop that doesn't actually make money welding.

Can't argue with that. Main thing is being able to weld and fix some of your own stuff. It's all about wants, needs and budget.. I don't have a 25K tractor but I do have an 8K welder. Many don't have an 8K welder but many have a 25K tractor. Is what it is and it's all good !

 

[aczlan]

Can't argue with that. Main thing is being able to weld and fix some of your own stuff. It's all about wants, needs and budget.. I don't have a 25K tractor but I do have an 8K welder. Many don't have an 8K welder but many have a 25K tractor. Is what it is and it's all good !

Yep, I have a $300 welder ( 200 amp dc inverter stick welder) and it welds everything we need to put back together on the farm.
If I need something bigger welded, I can take it into work and have them hit it with the 250 amp MIG welder there, or to the fabrication shop down the road and have them hit with their bigger welders there.

Aaron Z

 

[Big Barn]

Sixty years on the farm and all I had was a buzz box, but lots of tractors. Now that I’m retired it’s the other way around. LOL.

 

[jaxs]

Can't argue with that. Main thing is being able to weld and fix some of your own stuff. It's all about wants, needs and budget.. I don't have a 25K tractor but I do have an 8K welder. Many don't have an 8K welder but many have a 25K tractor. Is what it is and it's all good !

Folks like me have $2,500 tractors and $800 welders.:wrench::hammer::confused3: