Mig or Tig welder...??

[rn240sx]

Which of the 2 is best or are they pretty close together..??

Next question, do they make little portable units that r like under $500..??

[912.0turbo]

Mig is easier. But dont get a gasless mig, those suck. You cant weld aluminum with a mig but you can do most metals. Tig is hard but you can do some bad *** stuff w/ aluminum if you get good at it. Tig= aluminum only

[chilnviln]

as far as cleanliness, tig is by far the best way to go. if youre worried more aboot price than looks, mig is acceptable. there are portable migs for $500 and under but for the most case they suck. for better choices look to spend double that. for tigs, there arent many choices under $1000, and those may or may not weld aluminum or anything above 1/8" thickness. look to spend between $1000-1500 for a decent tig welder.

[yellow_jacket]

It all depends on what you want to do.

MIG is usually much quicker and much easier to use. They do sell rod for welding aluminum, but it doesn't work very well.

As far as TIG, it is much harder to do. The units are also much more expensive. If you are going to be welding sheet metal you can't beat a TIG. MIG will tend to warp sheet metal. Plus you can get a much cleaner looking weld with TIG. And YES you can weld steel with it. It is the only way to weld thin sheet metal without popping through or distorting it.

[4felix20]

i'd get a tig. at work, i weld all day with a mig and it's fast and easy, but for home use, i would have plenty of time to get the quality weld that i'd want.

plus, a tig is more verstile.
Modified by 4felix20 at 1:06 AM 4/10/2005

[crzycav86]

Get a tig.

When you start fabricating aluminum intercooler piping, you'll be glad you have it.