Mig or Tig ?

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Hey everybody I'm new to this forum an I got a problem I'm hoping y'all can help me out with. I'm buy all my tools I'm gunna need for my home hobby fab shop I'm going to be building off-road roll cages an buggys in the future. I know how to stick weld an mig weld already (get alot of welding practice at work) but I've never used a Tig I really want to learn how to Tig weld an I have the drive to Learn. what I'm getting at is I only have the money to buy one welder. Should I do the smart thing an just buy a mig an start building or should I buy a Tig right off the bat an master it an then start building after I learn Tig. I know some will say you need both so get the mig first but Tig welding is something that has interested me for a long time. Thanks
Reply:thermal arc has a line of mig tig combo machinesi have demoed (briefly) a 211i and was impressed with its poweri did not try the tig function
Reply:look into a 3 in 1 unit. These are inverter units which are compact and light weight.  They have received good reviews.   I have a thermal arc 181i (parent company is Victor Technologies) and really like it. I have not used the tig much.... I really need to start to practice with it but I've been fabricating something using the mig which works great.  There are some posts on this site and other sites which talk about the Tig on the 181i.  The 211i is the newest unit.  They do have a 3 year warranty and their support has been very good.  Miller also has a 3 in 1 which is more expensive but I'm sure it works fine.  Go to your LWS and see if you can demo one.Last edited by hotrod123; 07-18-2012 at 07:37 AM.
Reply:Originally Posted by AKFABHey everybody I'm new to this forum an I got a problem I'm hoping y'all can help me out with. I'm buy all my tools I'm gunna need for my home hobby fab shop I'm going to be building off-road roll cages an buggys in the future. I know how to stick weld an mig weld already (get alot of welding practice at work) but I've never used a Tig I really want to learn how to Tig weld an I have the drive to Learn. what I'm getting at is I only have the money to buy one welder. Should I do the smart thing an just buy a mig an start building or should I buy a Tig right off the bat an master it an then start building after I learn Tig. I know some will say you need both so get the mig first but Tig welding is something that has interested me for a long time. Thanks
Reply:Originally Posted by hotrod123look into a 3 in 1 unit. These are inverter units which are compact and light weight.  They have received good reviews.   I have a thermal arc 181i and really like it.  I have not used the tig much.... I really need to start to practice with it but I've been fabricating something using the mig which works great.  There are some posts on this site and other sites which talk about the Tig on the 181i.  The 211i is the newest unit.  They do have a 3 year warranty and their support has been very good.  Miller also has a 3 in 1 which is more expensive but I'm sure it works fine.  Go to your LWS and see if you can demo one.
Reply:Originally Posted by Joshfromsaltlake3-in-one units tend to be very expensive, and tend to be far more prone to breakdowns. In my opinion they're not worth the cost and trouble. It's better to buy a dedicated MIG welder separately.
Reply:i like the fabricator 181i but the one thing i dont like is the way the tig is you have to lift it to start. i am wanting to weld aluminum with it. im leaning towards just getting a nice tig set up im just wondering how long i should expect before i learn how to weld pretty decent with it
Reply:You can expect a LONG time before you are capable of welding anything that will resemble a cage or anything you wish to make that will be safe..You don't learn this overnight..It takes thousands of hours of seat time before you will be really good at this..And if you think you will just be able to start welding aluminum with good results then you better think again..It 'aint happening.So be prepared to weld weld weld on nothing that matters first.And do it for a loooooooooong time....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:Originally Posted by zapsterYou can expect a LONG time before you are capable of welding anything that will resemble a cage or anything you wish to make that will be safe..You don't learn this overnight..It takes thousands of hours of seat time before you will be really good at this..And if you think you will just be able to start welding aluminum with good results then you better think again..It 'aint happening.So be prepared to weld weld weld on nothing that matters first.And do it for a loooooooooong time....zap!
Reply:If you're going to weld cages, you don't want a scratch start tig machine (if you do decide on tig, that is). Also, you're going to want some remote amperage control. You could probably get away with no remote amperage control, but it's best to have it. Some of the more seasoned welders will immediately jump out with "Don't you dare be trying to do something like that right off the bat." And given the way your post is worded, it's warranted. Better to have a not so nice reality check now, than later on. In any case, though, if your goal is to do fab work like that, then by all means shoot for your goal. Just expect that it's going to take a lot of practice before you will be able to have something that is usable and safe for you or a customer. There's no harm, of course, in playing around with it though. With cages and with almost any other type of fab like that, welding is only half the battle (or even less, actually). There is much more time spent with actually building it (designing it, measuring it, cutting it, fitting it, rinsing, repeating). You can do MIG on some stuff, depending on rules, which might give you a jumpstart if you already know MIG. When I think MIG, because of the stuff I'm around, I immediately think "mild steel only, then". I seem to recall that's not true in all types of racing, though..
Reply:OK, the man asked for "opinions"....I'd find a versatile older welding machine. Miller or Lincoln.... Prior to the era of the "suitcase" welders. The big, single (home hobby shop) phase machines that are about 4' tall, 2' wide and 3' deep..... Weighs about 350#.These old dinosaurs will put out 300 amps all day long and have:DC outputAC outputHigh frequencySolenoids for gas and waterPlugs for remote / foot controlThis will cover the stick, TIG stainless and TIG aluminum...Used prices are not too bad.Just an old school setup to get started.Thanks for taking opinions.Good LuckHoboLincoln SA200's... at least 15 - 20. They come and go. Growing partial to the "Short Hoods" in my old age. Last count on Short Hoods was 13 in possession.
Reply:Originally Posted by AKFABi like the fabricator 181i but the one thing i dont like is the way the tig is you have to lift it to start. i am wanting to weld aluminum with it. im leaning towards just getting a nice tig set up im just wondering how long i should expect before i learn how to weld pretty decent with it
Reply:In the long run you want both.  About 5 years ago when I took up welding again I bought a Lincoln 180 MIG.  A couple of years later and many, many hours and non critical projects (pit and shop equipment mostly) I did my first cage project.  From a kit.  Now I'm at the point where I can design, bend and notch.  It took about 3 1/2 years to get to that point.  For most of the work youu'll be doing it will be mild steel and MIG.  TIG takes a great deal more time and skill particularly on a cage or chassis.  If you're doing 4130 you'll want to TIG but mild steel REW or DOM in this app is generally MIG welded.  I had my TIG about 6 months before I took classes at the local community college and frankly couldn't use it worth a damn until I got some formal training.  World of difference.Were I in your position, I'd get a minimum 180 amp, name brand MIG.  Go for a 225-250 amp class if you can afford it.  Used is OK if you think you can trust the seller.  Myself, I'd stay away from off brand imports except for perhaps Eastwood, because I know they'll stand behind it.  A Hobart is a good value to get started and Miller 211 is good as well or a Power MIG 216 for a larger machine.  Take class if you can, or get a book.  This one is good.   http://www.amazon.com/Welding-Princi...ywords=welding and I first bought this one.  http://www.amazon.com/Performance-We...sport+workshopAfter you get your flat stock joints down get a notcher and start practicing round tubing welds.Good luck.  There is a lot to learn but it's fun.  For me, anyway.Enough stuff to build and repair wrinkled up race cars or bring a classic back to life...
Reply:Originally Posted by ZmechanicWith cages and with almost any other type of fab like that, welding is only half the battle (or even less, actually). There is much more time spent with actually building it (designing it, measuring it, cutting it, fitting it, rinsing, repeating). You can do MIG on some stuff, depending on rules, which might give you a jumpstart if you already know MIG. When I think MIG, because of the stuff I'm around, I immediately think "mild steel only, then". I seem to recall that's not true in all types of racing, though..
Reply:Welcome AKFAB.Tig has the longest learning curve of all the welding disciplines. I would be very careful in what you choose to learn with. It could make or break your will to continue. I would not puchase a multiprocess unit. It is much easier to purchase dedicated units that work right every time without having to change them back and forth.Where do you live?????Weld like a "WELDOR", not a wel-"DERR" MillerDynasty700DX,Dynasty350DX4ea,Dynasty200DX,Li  ncolnSW200-2ea.,MillerMatic350P,MillerMatic200w/spoolgun,MKCobraMig260,Lincoln SP-170T,PlasmaCam/Hypertherm1250,HFProTig2ea,MigMax1ea.
Reply:Originally Posted by shovelonWelcome AKFAB.Tig has the longest learning curve of all the welding disciplines. I would be very careful in what you choose to learn with. It could make or break your will to continue. I would not puchase a multiprocess unit. It is much easier to purchase dedicated units that work right every time without having to change them back and forth.Where do you live?????
Reply:Originally Posted by AKFABI live in tennesse an our fab guy at work is going to teach me the basics of Tig so after I learn a good bit from him I'll start looking for a new Tig welder. Thanks for all the help an comments