Is MIGing like TIG strong?

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I confess to not knowing much about MIG, but on another forum an experienced mechanic has told me that MIG welds are supposed to look like caulk or bubble gum. He also stated that MIG welds that look like TIG only look good to people that don't know better.Are MIG welds that have the stack of dimes appearance weak or inferior to normal hot glue gun kinda lookin MIG welds?I always figured stack of dimes with good penetration was pretty much as good as it gets.What's yer take on this?
Reply:If they got that look by "triggering" the mig gun, then I would say that it's a bad practice that leads to bad welds.  Every time you stop and start a weld, you have the possibility to have inclusions, lack of fusion and/or other defects.  If they want it to look like it was tig welded, then they should use a tig welder.The appearance of a mig weld can very, depending on the material, the thickness, the wire size, the method (short circuit, globular or spray transfer), push or pull, the type of shielding gas, etc..  But it won't look like a "stack of dimes" tig weld without a lot of unnecessary manipulation that will cause a weaker weld. It should all "look good" (proper bead profile, good tie ins on stop and starts, good fusion, etc.) regardless of the parameters used.  To say that a weld looks like "bubble gum" is one of the highest, insults you can give, and sometimes richly deserved."The man of great wealth owes a peculiar obligation to the State, because he derives special advantages from the mere existence of government."  Teddy RooseveltAmerican by birth, Union by choice!  Boilermakers # 60America is a Union.
Reply:There is a 16 page discussion topic here dedicated to 'mig like tig', if you care to read all about it...http://weldingweb.com/vbb/showthread.php?t=30845MM350P/Python/Q300MM175/Q300DialarcHFHTP MIG200PowCon300SMHypertherm380ThermalArc185Purox oaF350CrewCab4x4LoadNGo utilitybedBobcat250XMT304/Optima/SpoolmaticSuitcase12RC/Q300Suitcase8RC/Q400Passport/Q300Smith op
Reply:On average most people who try to make mig welds look like tig won't produce a good weld. Like any generality there are always exceptions to the rule. There are a few people who are skilled enough to produce superb welds that can have a tig like appearance. ZT being one of them. The look however is secondary to producing a good weld. The don't set out to make welds that look like tig, they produce good welds and have found a way to manipulate the puddle to get that appearance.I'm not sure I'd use terms like "hot glue gun", "bubblegum" or "caulk" to describe a typical well made mig weld. I usually see those words tied to poor welds. Here's a really good example of a good mig weld and what it looks like typically posted up by one of the members here. Attached Images.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 DesertRider33There is a 16 page discussion topic here dedicated to 'mig like tig', if you care to read all about it...http://weldingweb.com/vbb/showthread.php?t=30845
Reply:This thread = can of worms.yes Ive passed bend tests with enough manipulation to create that "stack of dimes" look. I'm more impressed by the weld shown above tho. Most people have no idea how hard it is to be that consistant and steady. Here is on of my better short circuit attempts on 304 stainless.
Reply:Originally Posted by i4sillypwrThis thread = can of worms.
Reply:Beware of tig over mig.  I've seen and heard horror stories about "made in china" parts that claimed to be tig welded, but were mig welded for the deposition rate and gone over with a pulse tig in a positioner to achieve the look at a lower cost.
Reply:Originally Posted by greenbuggyBeware of tig over mig.  I've seen and heard horror stories about "made in china" parts that claimed to be tig welded, but were mig welded for the deposition rate and gone over with a pulse tig in a positioner to achieve the look at a lower cost.
Reply:So, basically the answer is yes...Providing the MIG weld has proper penetration and whatnot it's going to be strong. Appearance of the weld is more about technique, style, and may i say, cosmetics?Sorry if this thread kinda stirred up a bit of trouble. I also didn't want to sift through the many, many, many pages of the mig like tig thread.The reason i brought this up was b/c i showed one of ZT's weld pics over at another forum and one of the long time members claimed that he was over pulsing, or triggering on/off. From what i've seen, you guys get this stack of dimes appearance by way of proper machine setup, slow wire speed, and by using an E, C, or cursive L type technique. This leads to a strong and tig like weld.
Reply:Originally Posted by gottarollwithitSo, basically the answer is yes...Providing the MIG weld has proper penetration and whatnot it's going to be strong. Appearance of the weld is more about technique, style, and may i say, cosmetics?Sorry if this thread kinda stirred up a bit of trouble. I also didn't want to sift through the many, many, many pages of the mig like tig thread.The reason i brought this up was b/c i showed one of ZT's weld pics over at another forum and one of the long time members claimed that he was over pulsing, or triggering on/off. From what i've seen, you guys get this stack of dimes appearance by way of proper machine setup, slow wire speed, and by using an E, C, or cursive L type technique. This leads to a strong and tig like weld.
Reply:lmao. the reason this topic is a can of worms is because so many extremists jump all over threads like this. The truth is usually in the middle though.I look at it this way. I've seen some shakey handed people pass weld tests. I figure if my manipulation is less than or equal to their shake the wire manufacturers took that into account when they designed the wire Thanks ZT.
Reply:Originally Posted by gottarollwithitThe reason i brought this up was b/c i showed one of ZT's weld pics over at another forum and one of the long time members claimed that he was over pulsing, or triggering on/off.
Reply:Originally Posted by i4sillypwrlmao. the reason this topic is a can of worms is because so many extremists jump all over threads like this. The truth is usually in the middle though.I look at it this way. I've seen some shakey handed people pass weld tests. I figure if my manipulation is less than or equal to their shake the wire manufacturers took that into account when they designed the wire Thanks ZT.
Reply:Originally Posted by gottarollwithitThe reason i brought this up was b/c i showed one of ZT's weld pics over at another forum and one of the long time members claimed that he was over pulsing, or triggering on/off. .
Reply:Originally Posted by ZTFabI just love internet experts. Tell Captain Bondo that he's right. I only weld like that on my "riced out civic" because I think it looks cool and I don't know what I'm doing.
Reply:Originally Posted by MoonRiseYou -DID- paint yellow on it, right?  Cause yellow makes it go faster.  Oooo, and a muffler that could double as a pontoon float, but with no baffles or stuff like that so that you can sound like a bunch of bumble bees in a coffee can.  Angry bumble bees, cause they obviously go faster.  btw, the "Captain Bondo" made me   And describing -any- weld as caulk, bubblegum, pigeon poo, chicken s#$t, or such is describing a BAD weld.Putting a bunch of cold 'tack' welds overlapping on top of one another to attempt to make the weld look like a TIG weld is still just a bunch of cold inadequately fused tack welds just stacked on top of one another.Oh, and ZT doesn't have to pulse.  Because 'he' is really a 6-axis industrial welding robot that has achieved AI and self-awareness and hacked into the internet.  And DSW's posted weld picture looks like one of the welds done by "Dan", yet another multi-axis machine that has achieved self-awareness and the ability to run those totally smooth, straight, and consistent welds.
Reply:Originally Posted by MoonRiseAnd DSW's posted weld picture looks like one of the welds done by "Dan", yet another multi-axis machine that has achieved self-awareness and the ability to run those totally smooth, straight, and consistent welds.
Reply:Originally Posted by gottarollwithitSo, basically the answer is yes...Providing the MIG weld has proper penetration and whatnot it's going to be strong. Appearance of the weld is more about technique, style, and may i say, cosmetics?Sorry if this thread kinda stirred up a bit of trouble. I also didn't want to sift through the many, many, many pages of the mig like tig thread.The reason i brought this up was b/c i showed one of ZT's weld pics over at another forum and one of the long time members claimed that he was over pulsing, or triggering on/off. From what i've seen, you guys get this stack of dimes appearance by way of proper machine setup, slow wire speed, and by using an E, C, or cursive L type technique. This leads to a strong and tig like weld.
Reply:Yea, i figured since ZT is a pro, he wouldn't be posting pics of his work and lying about his techniques. By the stuff he posts, i think the guy is extremely talented and knowledgeable. If everybody could weld as well as that guy can, we wouldn't have threads like this... Bondo doubting ZT's skills is one of the reasons i figured i'd start this thread.I think the guy/Captain Bondo on the other forum just didn't know better. The guy is big in fabrication and high performance car stuff though... I've been trying to avoid bringing his name up specifically to avoid friction and tarnished reputations.It seems ZT has some awesome Googlefu though!! Bubble gum, caulk? Dunno what you wanna describe proper MIG welds as, but what ya got pictured down there is as good as it's ever gonna get. You're making me want to buy a MIG!
Reply:Originally Posted by gottarollwithitYea, i figured since ZT is a pro, he wouldn't be posting pics of his work and lying about his techniques. By the stuff he posts, i think the guy is extremely talented and knowledgeable. If everybody could weld as well as that guy can, we wouldn't have threads like this... Bondo doubting ZT's skills is one of the reasons i figured i'd start this thread.I think the guy/Captain Bondo on the other forum just didn't know better. The guy is big in fabrication and high performance car stuff though... I've been trying to avoid bringing his name up specifically to avoid friction and tarnished reputations.It seems ZT has some awesome Googlefu though!! Bubble gum, caulk? Dunno what you wanna describe proper MIG welds as, but what ya got pictured down there is as good as it's ever gonna get. You're making me want to buy a MIG!
Reply:Originally Posted by Broccoli1Hondtards.com ?
Reply:Originally Posted by fire1hawkI don't see how that could be cheaper. More than likely it was just an ugly weld.