MIG or TIG? $154 price difference.

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Option 1: The TIG (lift off/scratch) $699 w/ a filled cylinder. Model: Thermal Arc® 95S Stick/TIG Welder PackageLink: http://bit.ly/Ua9NEkOption 2: MIG welder $545 w/ filled cylinder. Model: Lincoln Handy MIG WelderLink: http://thd.co/1nwTngFConstant: I don't half-step, I'm into form as much as utility. I don't buy cheap equipment but the right tools for the job-- doesn't mean the most expensive. I don't mind taking my time to learn. The journey is more important than the goal.Purpose: Building square tube and maybe large round tube thin walled bike frames. My modern hammock project, my electronic standing desk project and other BS that comes to mind. Option 1: Creates the best looking welds, penetrates very well, gives the greatest dexterity, is more arty but takes the most skill to learn how to do well (I'm not in a hurry.) I'm not in a rush and I like to learn. Quenches my desire to try Oxy Fuel welding and isn't as potentially dangerous. I can sleep better with a tank of argon in my basement than oxy acetylene and oxygen tanks.Option 2: MIG is the easiest to learn, faster and cheaper. What do you guys say? I'm leaning towards the lift start/scratch start TIG but I would like to know the drawback of this setup and not that it just can't weld aluminum. I picked this model because it offer more amps at the same duty cycle as another model that is only slightly cheaper. Also, every thing besides a hose and the argon cylinder come with it. I'm not sure if I'm caught up into the romance of TIG welding or that it is the best choice for what I'm going to be doing. I see both the utility and the art of welding this way, that is important to me. In some ways, I don't know if bypassing the MIG that I'm missing out on instant utility and easy of use. Also, a leftover/savings of $154 that could go towards safety equipment and other incidentals. Thoughts???
Reply:I only read as far as "purpose," because I made up my mind already.    Personally I wouldn't buy neither one but you didn't list an "option 3."   So, I'd go for option #1 if forced to make a choice.  Option #2 is a POS machine and definitely the WRONG tool for a "bike frame."  There's my .02cents worth of opinion.Lincoln Power Mig 216Lincoln AC/DC-225/125Miller  625 X-Treme PlasmaMiller 211 Forney 95FI-A 301HF 91110Victor Journeyman O/PMilwaukee DaytonMakita  Baileigh NRA Life Member
Reply:For a 120-volt machine, I would get a 140-amp Lincoln MIG:http://www.homedepot.com/p/Lincoln-E...14-1/100670934Definitely start with a MIG.
Reply:SuperArc, in the same price range of $500 to $700. that can run off a standard home electrical outlet, which welders do you suggest?
Reply:Dbotos, why MIG? Easier learning curve?
Reply:Originally Posted by SuperArcOption #2 is a POS machine and definitely the WRONG tool for a "bike frame."
Reply:Originally Posted by mwshinesDbotos, why MIG? Easier learning curve?
Reply:MIG does seem more practical as a first welder. For some reason, I'm drawn to TIG and even Oxy Fuel welding. Perhaps I like to do things the hard way. What are the drawbacks of getting a low cost DC lift start TIG? Will it just suck mechanically or will learning it just take so long that I give up?BTW thanks for the advice!
Reply:MWSHINES,Sounds like you want us to approve your decision to buy the TIG, so I'll say go for it. I have MIG and TIG. If you will read a lot here and other sites, and especially if there is someone who can help you just get started, you can learn scratch-start TIG but expect a couple of hours just to figure it out and years to get really good at it (bike frames). TIG is fun and requires much more practice than MIG but definately learnable on your own.Plus you can do stick as well with that machine.Post your location in your profile and hopefully there is a member close enough that you can try both before you buy.Burt _____________________Miller Syncrowave 250Millermatic 211Miller 375 Plasma Cutter Hobart Handler 12010FtDrillBit.com
Reply:Originally Posted by wb4rtMWSHINES,Sounds like you want us to approve your decision to buy the TIG, so I'll say go for it. I have MIG and TIG. If you will read a lot here and other sites, and especially if there is someone who can help you just get started, you can learn scratch-start TIG but expect a couple of hours just to figure it out and years to get really good at it (bike frames). TIG is fun and requires much more practice than MIG but definately learnable on your own.Plus you can do stick as well with that machine.Post your location in your profile and hopefully there is a member close enough that you can try both before you buy.
Reply:I say go get this:  http://store.cyberweld.com/tharcfa18miw.htmlMIG is easy, but in my opinion its also easy to make a weld that looks great but is structurally not sound. Plus a 140 amp MIG is not really good for anything more than 1/8th inch thick. Stick welding at 95 amps is a stretch. You will be limited to lower diameter rods (3/32 and 1/16th) which could be a pain in the neck. With the 181i, you can MIG up to 180 amps, getting you out of the 1/8th inch limitation, and maybe even close to 1/4 inch welds in a single pass. You can stick weld up to 175 amps which ought to be good enough for 1/8th inch 7018 rods (the gold standard for SMAW it seems), and you can TIG (ferrous metals only) up to 175 amps. Honestly so long as you aren't welding aluminum, this will do anything you want. But then again, neither of your original options would ever come close to welding aluminum. at least with the 181i, if you add a MIG spool gun you can do some thinner aluminum welding.Miller Multimatic 255
Reply:If your not in a hurry and just doing this as a hobby then tig/stick combo will be fine.  I have OA, stick, tig, and mig in my shop and mostly use mig for speed and convenience.  Tig will take longer to learn and if you have no welding experience it will be harder.  You'll have to learn the basic principles of welding along with tig.  Metal has to be clean but if you want to do some dirty steel then you'll have stick for that.As previously said, Post your location and maybe there is a member near you that would let you try both out.
Reply:This is a good option too.140 amps tig..http://www.weldersupply.com/P/849/Tw...catoriFREESHIPFunny, never cared for the 181i when I welded with it.. Guess that's because the Esab 200i  just has a nicer mig arc. (IMO) had a Thermal Sanrex 85s TS-160 then the China made 95s/161i models. Have a original Sanrex PEE-Wee 85 s now.Best small 120 stick welder ever made (Again IMO) ended up with a 141i also, and after changing out the gun, it's got a great arc.. I generally just use SS stick rods with the little guys..Last edited by Brand X; 07-16-2014 at 03:02 PM.Esab/Lorch ET-220iEsab 160i caddyThermal LM-200 Lincoln feedersThermal Pee-Wee 85sThermal 60i- 3phase /RPC powered (Beast)Thermal Drag-gun 35CINE 1500 Klutch 140i
Reply:I have a neighbor who use to be an aerospace welder, I need to go hang with him. He doesn't have any equipment with him but I'm sure he could use whatever I buy to teach me. I like the all in 4 unit because I really can't make a decision. I'm about to say screw it and get an OA kit with an AW1A screw electricity.... No.
Reply:well, I think everyone ought to have an OA kit, regardless of circumstances. Kind of like your man card will be revoked if you don't have one.   it really is one of the best tools to have in your arsenal.But welding with OA, while being possible, is not desirable in my opinion. You can learn to TIG a lot easier than you can learn to OA weld. Again, just my humble opinion, given that I dable in both and have mastered neither (although I think I am a much better TIG welder by a long shot). Same for stick welding. And I really do think that stick welding is the best way to start out. Being somewhat proficient in stick welding made learning MIG and TIG a whole lot easier.Miller Multimatic 255
Reply:http://http://www.eastwood.com/tig20...FQto7Aode2EApA200 ampAny good?
Reply:its DC only, won't weld aluminum and doesn't stick weld. I would pass.Miller Multimatic 255
Reply:I don't want to weld aluminum or do stick welding. I just want to build my bicycle frames and a few other projects I have in my head.
Reply:http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00J5P...ref=mp_s_a_1_2Then get a cylinder from your lws. I personally own this unit, and it is capable of everything you want to do with room to grow into it.
Reply:Originally Posted by 7A749Nobody mentioned this.....http://store.cyberweld.com/tharcfa18miw.html
Reply:Originally Posted by dcoffmanjrhttp://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00J5P...ref=mp_s_a_1_2Then get a cylinder from your lws. I personally own this unit, and it is capable of everything you want to do with room to grow into it.
Reply:Originally Posted by mwshinesI was talking to a friend after thinking about what Louie said and my friend said to get something you can grow into, even if you don' t want to do aluminum now, you might want to do it in the future.  That seems like a pretty good one and isn't too much more than the other one I was looking at.
Reply:Bigger really is better for welders.  I got a mm252 more for duty cycle than max output.   I mostly weld 16ga to 1/4".  But I just finished a project with 1/2" steel and was really glad I had the power.  If you want to do bike frames and get into 4130 or exotics then tig would be a better choice.
Reply:One thought is to try it out and see if it's your thing or not.I wonder how many people say they want to buy a welder and learn to weld then find it's not what they want at all?also, figure another few hundred dollars for better torches, gas lens, filler, tungsten, gas cylinders, refills, upgraded regulators, and lots of raw material to practice on.honestly, it's easy to say you're gonna learn to tig and build a bike/cart/trailer/roll cage/motorcycle. But if it was easy everyone would be a welder.just a thought...
Reply:Originally Posted by 7A749Nobody mentioned this.....http://store.cyberweld.com/tharcfa18miw.htmlScrew it, just get a Thermal Arc/Tweco 186 AC/DC TIG welder.   1st on WeldingWeb to have a scrolling sig! HTP Invertig 400HTP Invertig 221HTP ProPulse 300HTP ProPulse 200 x2HTP ProPulse 220MTSHTP Inverarc 200TLP HTP Microcut 875SC
Reply:The AHP unit is a pretty solid unit. Not one issue yet, and use mine all the time. One thing I will suggest is to buy a different regulator. The one that comes with, while getting you by, is a POS. Besides that, I am more than happy with mine.
Reply:My vote would be for the TA141i.   You get a 3 in 1 dual voltage machine.  If your skills and needs grow, you just keep it as your handy little machine and get a big shop machine.
Reply:Originally Posted by Drf255My vote would be for the TA141i.   You get a 3 in 1 dual voltage machine.  If your skills and needs grow, you just keep it as your handy little machine and get a big shop machine.
Reply:Originally Posted by Drf255My vote would be for the TA141i.   You get a 3 in 1 dual voltage machine.  If your skills and needs grow, you just keep it as your handy little machine and get a big shop machine.