Whats cheaper...?

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Hi there.  Im new to welding.  And since this forum doesn't have a "search" function... i'm gonna ask a question that in all likelihood has been asked many times.  Q: What is cheaper, Oxy or Tig??  How do they compare in initial cost and running cost??And if A has a lower initial cost compared to B... but higher running cost than B... how much welding would you have to do (with both) to reach the point where A and B have both cost you the same money (in total) (and A starts costing you more money)?Thank you.
Reply:Loaded question...All depends on what you want to do....Oxy is limited in ability to do certain things where with tig and proper training the sky is the limit.And yes there is search all over these forums....zap!I am not completely insane..Some parts are missing Professional Driver on a closed course....Do not attempt.Just because I'm a  dumbass don't mean that you can be too.So DON'T try any of this **** l do at home.
Reply:Depends on what you need to weld. If scratch start tig will work fine for your needs it can be done very cheap.Airco Ac/Dc 300 HeliwelderMillerMatic 200 (stolen)Miller Maxstar 150STLMiller AEAD200LE (welding and generating power) Hobart MIG
Reply:Each process has pros and cons. Tig requires a highly skilled operator. Oxy can heat, cut and gouge.JasonLincoln Idealarc 250 stick/tigThermal Dynamics Cutmaster 52Miller Bobcat 250Torchmate CNC tableThermal Arc Hefty 2Ironworkers Local 720
Reply:I don't think its that loaded a question.  Surely someone around here must have already looked into this and come up with a conclusive answer!
Reply:Originally Posted by snoeproeEach process has pros and cons. Tig requires a highly skilled operator. Oxy can heat, cut and gouge.
Reply:To many variables to give you a good answer. You can buy a decent name brand OA kit new, for what a used DC stick machine and scratch start torch tig rig would cost you. I've even sen some older industrial AC/DC tigs that are used almost being given away, but they are not all that common.What you want to accomplish will play a huge part of this. New vs used... Material and thickness you want to weld....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:Originally Posted by Marek0086Far out... did you even read the questions?!.  I wasn't asking which ones BETTER.
Reply:Originally Posted by Marek0086I don't think its that loaded a question.  Surely someone around here must have already looked into this and come up with a conclusive answer!
Reply:Originally Posted by soutthpawBeing an a$$ is not going to bode well here with the folks you want to take the time to answer the question.
Reply:Originally Posted by Marek0086Far out... did you even read the questions?!.  I wasn't asking which ones BETTER.
Reply:NevermindLast edited by Bosco99; 02-18-2015 at 12:40 PM.
Reply:Originally Posted by Bosco99What the heck. I'm a non-respected member, I'll answer it. .....A .....1076 hours.Wait wait ....make that B and 3147.23 hours
Reply:Tig would be cheaper if welding 18 gauge mild steel with a Harbor Freight DC Tig welder. Good luck.Last edited by Bosco99; 02-18-2015 at 01:19 PM.
Reply:I think there is a definitive answer if you are talking about welding. TIG is always going to be cheaper. If you are welding steel, you can buy a scratch start/lift start DC TIG welder for the same price as a torch set. The cost of electricity will be less than the cost of oxygen and acetylene. If you are talking aluminum, it is still cheaper if you include the cost of labor. You can weld a lot faster with a TIG than with an Oxyfuel torch.Miller Multimatic 255
Reply:And you can cut pretty well with TIG.  Learned that first time playing with welding 1/16" Aluminum.  AHP AlphaTIG 200DX (2nd Gen)Lincoln WeldPak 3200HD Bird Poop GeneratorLotos LTP5000D Plasma Cutter
Reply:No one in industry welds with O/A anymore, what I think we have here is a time traveler from the 30's who just blew his cover!Miller Spoolmate 200 w/t S-52 WirefeederMM 211'09 Miller Trailblazer 302
Reply:Originally Posted by Marek0086I don't think its that loaded a question.  Surely someone around here must have already looked into this and come up with a conclusive answer!
Reply:Heres the basis for the math equations:My O/A set up ran about $800 with M Oxy and C acetylene cylinders.  I can weld for about 5 hours before I have to fill them at about 70 bucks for the pair.My TIG cost $2220 on sale and another $260 for the argon cylinder so $2,480.00.  I can weld about 5 hours before I have to fill it at about 35.00 for a fill. You will probably end up spending 50 more for different collets and cups.Edit:  Also, inverter TIG machines can and will break down, so add unknown repair costs to the equation.  There are just too many variables like others have said.You have to decide how much you will use it for your answer Regardless of price, start out with O/A.  You will need it and it's fun to learn how to weld with it.  Really fun!   You can buy the tig later after your piggy bank fills up again.Hope this helped.Last edited by MetalJunkie; 02-18-2015 at 06:53 PM.Syncrowave 210HH140Victor O/A
Reply:Ya want cheap? ....HF Tig 160 bucks ...bottle 70 bucks ....ability to use them - priceless.
Reply:I think he high tailed it out of here. Tig is pretty cheap. You only need one bottle and type of gas. Hope you come back and read this but probably won't
Reply:All tigs will stick and gouge and a carbon arc torch too.
Reply:Originally Posted by PavinsteelmanAll tigs will stick and gouge and a carbon arc torch too.
Reply:Originally Posted by PavinsteelmanAll tigs will stick and gouge and a carbon arc torch too.
Reply:Originally Posted by PavinsteelmanAll tigs will stick and gouge and a carbon arc torch too.Havent gas welded since I got my tig welder, havent torch cut since I got my plasma cutter, havent stick welded since I got my mig/f-core welder. I do use the torch for heating, brazing, <-rosebud, & silver soldering with a 'small' torch.-c-What is the sound of one knee jerking?
Reply:I ended up buying a "CT516" from Ebay. It does TIG, Stick and Plasma Cut (40Amps).  $360AUD including TIG torch, Plasma cutter and SMAW clamp. 10-180Amps DC only.  It also gives me 2.5 or 5 seconds post-flow.  They're all over Ebay.  What do you guys think?
Reply:Originally Posted by PavinsteelmanAll tigs will stick and gouge and a carbon arc torch too.
Reply:Originally Posted by Marek0086I ended up buying a "CT516" from Ebay. It does TIG, Stick and Plasma Cut (40Amps).  $360AUD including TIG torch, Plasma cutter and SMAW clamp. 10-180Amps DC only.  It also gives me 2.5 or 5 seconds post-flow.  They're all over Ebay.  What do you guys think?
Reply:When i press the trigger on the TIG torch (without actually welding) it makes this high frequency arcing noise in the machine.  What is this?
Reply:Originally Posted by Marek0086When i press the trigger on the TIG torch (without actually welding) it makes this high frequency arcing noise in the machine.  What is this?
Reply:Yeah thats what i thought.
Reply:How is the welding going? Have you layed many beads yet? Any pics of the machine and progress?12v battery, jumper cables, and a 6013.I only have a facebook page. https://www.facebook.com/pages/VPT/244788508917829
Reply:I just tried welding with NO shielding gas.  It wasn't pretty.  Charred my cup and evaporated my electrode in 2 seconds.  Im just gonna wait till i get the gas hooked up.
Reply:Step away from the machine, you're not worthy.
Reply:Originally Posted by PavinsteelmanAll tigs will stick and gouge and a carbon arc torch too.
Reply:Originally Posted by Welder DaveStep away from the machine, you're not worthy.