tig or mig?

admin

Let talk about our first welder. I borrowed $2,500 in 1991 and bought a Miller Max Star 151. My reason for choosing tig over mig. There is a lot of things I can do with tig that I can't do with mig, and there is very little I can do with mig that I can't do with tig. Speed being the biggest thing in favor of mig. My mistake was not buying something with alum. capability. For the hobby welder I feel they would learn a lot more about welding with a tig since the need for speed is not there.
Reply:I agree with your logic on the choice of TIG.  As for aluminum, have you tried aluminum DCEN TIG with helium?  For 1/4" or thicker it is a good proven method provided preweld cleaning and gas shielding is excellent.Something I have not tried, is thinner aluminum with DCEN TIG with argon or an argon/helium mix.  It may be ok.
Reply:No I have not  tried the dctig.I bought a Syncrowave later on.Any exp. with tig on brass or bronze? Can it be done?
Reply:Using dc positive tig, you really ought to have a large tungsten.  On that setting, seventy percent of the heat is concentrated in the tungsten and thirty percent in the work.  You get really great cleaning action, but it's easy to blow your tungsten if you are not careful.  It does work though.