MIG vs TIG welding, you don’t know which one to choose, do you? Traditionally these methods equally serve a purpose for similar tasks, and principles, though the difference in applications, a timeline of works, as well as costs involved, might be challenging.
We’ve decided to figure out what welding type is the best for specific use cases, and which one won’t make you spend hundreds of dollars. If you wonder about the ease of these two, especially when being a newbie to these works, you might find this article helpful as well.
Comparing MIG vs TIG Welding
Definition of MIG Welding
Metal Inert Gas or else called MIG is an arc welding that involves feeding the electrode welding wire needed to melt and join the metals.
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It melts materials and therefore, the wire acting as a filler and an electrode at the same time, is melted and forms a joint. Originally, MIG has been discovered for aluminum welding, however, it fits both thin and thick materials now.
An arc is basically the ignition part of the electrode holder that helps to melt working material and form a weld pool. It heats the metals and fills them simultaneously to create a joint.
The weld pool is, in turn, covered with a shielding gas supplied from the wire nozzle, which helps to protect it from the surrounding environment. MIG gun works only with a sufficient power source that directs a constant voltage.
Speed of MIG Welding
MIG welding is a speed-effective welding method, especially, when it comes to high-load works, such as industrial operations where no precise attention for details is needed.
Firstly, it needs less time to learn using it. Secondly, the MIG gun is designed to withstand long hours of running.
Finally, it is a go-choice because of its continuously-fed electrode wire with which you may minimize the time spent on stopping during welding tasks.
Verdict
We recommend choosing MIG if you deal with large loads of production.
Cost of MIG Welding
The cost is dictated by the availability of parts involved in MIG, and it is cost-effective compared to TIG welding. MIG operations need you to have a wire, shielding gas, contact tips, as well as consumables among others. Beyond that, it is cheaper because it takes less time for performing certain tasks.
Verdict
We recommend choosing MIG welding if you want to minimize time on seeking welding parts. They are more available in the market.
Ease of MIG Welding
MIG welding is easier to handle or learn, as a little time is needed to start working after training. The ease also lays in its use, where you need only to pull the trigger and start melting the metals.
Besides, a MIG gun can be easily handled with one hand only, so newbies won’t come across any difficulties, unlike with a TIG welding where both hands and a foot should be involved.
Verdict
Pull the trigger, melt the metals, stop the work. It is easy to operate with and consumes less time of your efforts to deliver ready work.
Definition of TIG Welding
Tungsten inert gas or else called TIG is also an arc welding method where a tungsten electrode is used to run a current for joining the metals. With it, the electrode heats the working metals which then liquefy.
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After that, a welder should dip the filler into the puddle, so that two metals start joining, though it does not always need a filler. Unlike MIG, TIG is an operation that needs the highest precision, and accuracy as well as two hands and one foot to proceed with works.
Speed of TIG Welding
It is a much slower arc welding, as a welder has additionally a foot pedal to measure the amount of electricity going from a torch. Beyond that, a filler (if needed), and a torch are separate, so both hands are involved. The newbies in TIG operations should have lengthy training to perform accurate works.
Verdict
TIG fits works that mainly focus on details, however, it results in decent and strong welds outcomes.
Cost of TIG Welding
TIG has low deposition rates, and the actual work is slower which leads to higher costs. Moreover, it is better to use TIG for thin materials, but if there is an inaccuracy, the cost is doubled due to redoes. Working parts for TIG are not so widely available.
Verdict
We recommend going for TIG welding only if there is enough time given to deliver one or another weld as well as when working parts are already supplied.
Ease of TIG Welding
As was mentioned above, TIG is not a go-choice for light tasks or high-load productions. TIG needs accuracy, thus, it is either tough and slow to deliver certain great welds, or you should have a high competency.
Verdict
We recommend choosing TIG if you have enough practice or experience in welding operations. It is not the best arc welding to start with.
Overall Verdict
After comparing two arc welding methods MIG and TIG, we’ve summed up the following:
Differences between MIG vs TIG Welding
- Speed – MIG is a much faster arc welding, as a welder does not continuously stop during the works which help to deal with high-load productions continually;
- Cost – MIG is cheaper, and parts are readily available compared to TIG;
- Ease – MIG fits both beginners and pros, as it does not need much time to learn the processes, while TIG delivers high accuracy of welds. Moreover, a welder does not have to use both hands, unlike TIG where two hands and one foot are involved.
via @lwelds and @welding_tig_mig
Similarities of MIG vs TIG Welding
- Two arc welding methods may fit both thin and thick material welding;
- Both use shielding gas;
- Both carry the purpose to weld the metals and fuse them with filler.
We recommend going for MIG welding if you want to save money on works and perform many tasks much faster. Beyond that, MIG might be an excellent choice if you run out of sufficient time for training prior to starting the welding.
