Mig vs Tig vs Stick welding on a car?

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So I have a few questions that have been on my mind for a while. I watch a lot of tv, and videos and such and notice how every time I see welding done on a car (tv, performance shop, muffler shop) they are always using a mig welder.  I'm assuming it's mainly due to cost and time. I was speaking to a few people I know and they mentioned that the preferred way to do body work is with a tig. Is that true?Also the other person said you can not tig on a car as it will fry the electronics and you will have to unplug the computer. Does it make sense?And finally I'm going to assume you can also stick weld on a car if needed and not harm anything (ideally it just doesn't seem practical), maybe exhaust work.Torchmate 2x2 CNC with Flashcut CNC controlsHypertherm Powermax45 Esab ET220i Razorweld 195 MigRazorweld 200ac/dc TigTormach 770, Tormach xstechRazorweld, Vipercut/Vipermig, SSC Foot Pedal Dealer
Reply:All depends what you are doing. Mig with gas is usually the preferred way to go for body work. It keeps the heat down to prevent warping issues. It also takes the least time to learn so many places will go that route.I know a few who will tig body stuff, primarily because they have tig and are very good with it and don't have a mig. Tig is much less tolerant of paint, rust and other contaminants that are usually very hard to remove 100% for vehicle bodies. Many automotive things like suspension components, roll cages, and intake/exhaust stuff is tigged on a regular basis however.Stick is usually too hot to use on most automotive applications. I've seen exhaust pipes done with stick simply because that was what was available. It would have applications with heavier members like plow frames or hitch components.There's also a core group who still use OA for body work, especially for older vehicles. It's becoming less and less common simply because the growing lack of decent OA training and the rise in inexpensive small migs..No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth! Ronald Reagan
Reply:Yep toe OA is sometimes demanded on Classic and antique restorations along with lead body filler instead of bondoTiger Sales:  AHP Distributor    www.tigersalesco.comAHP200x; AHP 160ST; MM350P,  Spoolmatic 30A; Everlast PowerTig 185; Thermal Dynamics 60i plasma.  For Sale:  Cobra Mig 250 w/ Push-pull gun.  Lincoln Wirematic 250
Reply:So can you tig weld on a car without burning any electrical components?Torchmate 2x2 CNC with Flashcut CNC controlsHypertherm Powermax45 Esab ET220i Razorweld 195 MigRazorweld 200ac/dc TigTormach 770, Tormach xstechRazorweld, Vipercut/Vipermig, SSC Foot Pedal Dealer
Reply:Generally disconnecting the battery before welding on a car is enough to protect the electronics along with making sure you have a good clean ground on the same piece to be welded. It is a good habit to do regardless if it is tig, mig or stick. OA obviously not so much. I have seen the results from people failing to disconnect batteries as im sure many others here have as well.
Reply:When welding on anyrhing that has electrics disconnect the power supply, especially if it has a computer on board!  This can and will save you lots of headaches!AEAD 200LE, Lincoln precision tig 185, Millermatic 251, Spectrum 625 extreme, Victor torch , Smithy 1220LTD. and  Do all C-4 band saw ,  Always adding.
Reply:Originally Posted by DSWAll depends what you are doing. Mig with gas is usually the preferred way to go for body work. It keeps the heat down to prevent warping issues. It also takes the least time to learn so many places will go that route.I know a few who will tig body stuff, primarily because they have tig and are very good with it and don't have a mig. Tig is much less tolerant of paint, rust and other contaminants that are usually very hard to remove 100% for vehicle bodies. Many automotive things like suspension components, roll cages, and intake/exhaust stuff is tigged on a regular basis however.
Reply:Tig welding  on motorcycles is mostly what we do here where disconnecting the ground lead is a must.......keeping the ground clamp as close to the weld area as possible can't hurt either.......I have never had a problem but have heard of guys that have and it gets very expensive when you smoke a black box because you didn't take precautionary steps to aid this kind of welding .......MIG  or stick can smoke your elect components also....  Miller Dynasty 350Twenty Six HammersThree Crow BarsBig Rock
Reply:I have always mig welded stuff on cars.  Maybe because I just recently picked up a syncrowave 180. I am getting on to the tig thing.  I am actually starting to perfer it over mig,  thanks to all the post I have read on this site.  Check out the u tube video from Stacey david on gearz and see what you think. I have not tried it yet but it makes sense to me.  Any other opinions.  Make sure to watch the electronics. I always keep the ground close to where I am welding, I have not been brave enough to tig on a car yet.  I always remove the part. My shop phone died after practicing my aluminum welding on the bench 3 feet from my phone. I do not know it it was about to dye or did I kill it?Check out the video and let me know what you think.[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AOAjQWKVHos[/ame]Thanks MikeMiller Thunderbolt AC/DCMillermatic 211 and spoolmatePower Plasma 50Syncrowave 180 SDMike