TIG vs MIG - Whats best for a beginner?

[ten[A]cio[U]s]

Yeah I have considered going to TAFE to learn it a bit better to be honest. I am just a little time poor so I don't know when I could fit it in.

I spoke to Dad's mate who lives across the road from him (welder with 40+ years experience) and he is going to get some prices and whatever I get will help me.

Also vibe_xr6. That welder at Repco went back to RRP at around $550ish..

They are seeing if they can do it for the $300 special

[XR6_661]

I learnt on an arc welder...Mucked around with some MIGs but never a TIG.

Not the best at it either...blow a few holes in things but at least I can fill them again haha.

Go the MIG and just play around with some scrap metal...You'll soon learn.

[b2tf]

Let me know how you go, I'm keen to learn as well.

[vibe_xr6]

Originally Posted by crazy-au

Also vibe_xr6. That welder at Repco went back to RRP at around $550ish..

They are seeing if they can do it for the $300 special

keep pressuring them man kirk is usually good with prices, let me know how you go anyway, and as i said, if you need the 15amp socket put in, my mate will do it for a carton, ive already spoke to him man

[ten[A]cio[U]s]

Awesome. My old man is interested for the socket put in too.

2 cartons for your mate lol.

[vibe_xr6]

haha yeah no problems, he said swapping a normal socket to a 15amp is easy, but if yous want it in a different spot, it will take him a bit longer ( running the power etc )

[irish2]

Originally Posted by falconboy

For starters, they both require 15amp. Now there are always going to be people who debate cutting the 15amp plug off, putting a 10amp plug on and they will be ok. Most likely they will, but on the other hand, if your wiring overheats and you burn your house down. My argument is that if they were suitable for 10amp they would be a 10amp unit because anyone with an normal powerpoint could buy them.
.

If you plug a 15 amp welder into a 10 amp socket the worst you can do is trip the board. As soon as you go to 11 amps the board will trip to protect the circuit. There is no more chance of burning the house down with a cut down 15 amp socket than a dodgy old toaster.

I am reasonably handy with a welder. When making up parts for cars TIG is the easiest. Generally intake tubing and panels are very light gauge and when using TIG you get a very small and acurate pool forming. You also do not get the spatter associated with a MIG. With TIG you have almost nil surface prep and do not even have to grind the weld when you are done (unless working on panels). TIG works on all copper alloys, stainless steel, steel, (and aluminium when it is a high frequency unit) and only requires the use of 1 type of gas (argon).

[ebxr8240]

TIG is slow as and you need to be VARY comfortable..
I have two MIG and one TIG and cheap arc welder...
Also Plasma cutter..
They all have there advantages...

[cs123]

Originally Posted by irish2

If you plug a 15 amp welder into a 10 amp socket the worst you can do is trip the board. As soon as you go to 11 amps the board will trip to protect the circuit. There is no more chance of burning the house down with a cut down 15 amp socket than a dodgy old toaster.

Not the best advice

[irish2]

Originally Posted by cs123

Not the best advice

But achieved every day on construction sites throughout Australia.

[irish2]

Originally Posted by ebxr8240

TIG is slow as and you need to be VARY comfortable..
I have two MIG and one TIG and cheap arc welder...
Also Plasma cutter..
They all have there advantages...

TIG can be quick once you know how to turn the amps up a bit and move with it. It is a much stronger weld for a beginner as you can see the metal joining. Most people just use a MIG to sit the metal on top (no penetration). You also have no issues with renewing liners and tips. MIGs have many more parts that wear which cause wire feed issues. After having given instructions to many apprentices, TIG is what they pick up the quickest.