Stick better than Mig?

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There have been a few instances where I see Stick welders being used in place of MIG Welders. One I remember was on Monster House in California where they were building a tall metal structure inside a house (Kinda like a mezzanine) And the building inspector stopped them from using a MIG welder and made them use a Stick Welder. Supposedly the code required the use of a stick weld. Today on extreme engineering I saw like 50 guys welding a skyscraper with Stick welders. My question is are Stick welds stronger than MIG welds? While were on the subject where is Tig in the mix? I had an old timer tell me that a MIG weld was stronger than a Tig weld. I'm not an engineer. I don't know and I am curious.Drivesector
Reply:The process is far from the most important parameter.  GMAW (MIG) and SMAW (Stick) are both used to build some of the most important structures in the world.GTAW (TIG) is usually not for big, heavy structural welding.  It's just too slow and cumbersome for most of it.If an owner's specifications require a certain process (for whatever reason,) an inspector's job is to enforce those specifications, even if the currently used process was adequate for the task.For heavy production structural work, I myself would prefer FCAW-G, the gas-shielded flux-cored process when it's an option.  For a quick heavy structural weld, it's usually faster to use SMAW.
Reply:Here is a little page I put together to cover some of the advantages and disadvantages of GMAW/FCAW, GTAW, and SMAW http://www.weldinginspectionsvcs.com...ssopinions.htm Hope it helps.Have a nice dayhttp://www.weldingdata.com/
Reply:Originally Posted by MAC702The process is far from the most important parameter.  GMAW (MIG) and SMAW (Stick) are both used to build some of the most important structures in the world.GTAW (TIG) is usually not for big, heavy structural welding.  It's just too slow and cumbersome for most of it.If an owner's specifications require a certain process (for whatever reason,) an inspector's job is to enforce those specifications, even if the currently used process was adequate for the task.For heavy production structural work, I myself would prefer FCAW-G, the gas-shielded flux-cored process when it's an option.  For a quick heavy structural weld, it's usually faster to use SMAW.
Reply:Originally Posted by gaustinHere is a little page I put together to cover some of the advantages and disadvantages of GMAW/FCAW, GTAW, and SMAW http://www.weldinginspectionsvcs.com...ssopinions.htm Hope it helps.
Reply:I find i use stick in more applications faster and I know im getting penetration.Then again once im using a larger mig on gas who knows?
Reply:I agree with Weldtek & MAC702- certain welding codes and/or clients require a certain welding process suited to meet or exceed the strength requirements of that job or part.   ASME code would let our shop run 7018 SMAW as a root pass inside our shell seams, followed by a submerged-arc automatic covering the inner root pass and completing the outter long and girth seams.  But on the lifting eyes, saddles, gussets, and reinforcement pads,  we could use 71M dual shield flux core.   We would use MIG only for unistrut and support plates for valves, equipment, etc...   I personally wouldnt trust a MIG for pressurized parts or vessels, no matter how much weld is on there.  Its too easy to be lulled into a false sense of security with penetration and uniformity.  Also, Ive spent a lot of time grinding and there is a very distinct difference in the hardness (maybe temper?) of the weld.   It is easier to grind a MIG weld than a stick weld.   Also, when you grind the weld, watch it closely and you will see the bits of inclusion being grinded away in a MIG weld- Not something you should see in a stick weld. Dual shield flux core like 71M is a god send and saves sooooo much time.  I wish I could use it in more spots!!!
Reply:A lot of structural welding codes were developed using SMAW and given that the process is defined in the code, then there's no room to change unless the code changes, which it has in some places.  I've seen FCAW defined in some structural codes.  Then there's the fact that SMAW is truly an optimal process for a lot of structural applications because of access constraints.What I fail to understand are circumstances mentioned above when weldors doubt that they are getting adequate penetration with GMAW.  Either you're running hot enough and you can see your puddle wetting into the root or you're not doing something right.-Heath
Reply:i've weld a ship load of pressure vessels with MIG that had a working psi of 550and never seen one failChuckASME Pressure Vessel welder
Reply:If anyone doubts that the GMAW process is appropriate for pressure vessels, then please take a look at this thread:http://www.weldingweb.com/vbb/showthread.php?t=3075Specifically, look at the photos posted by Kelly.-Heath
Reply:the steel service center i used to work for, cut PVQ material for a propane tank maker. we took a visit when they were having some problems with our material. the main weld on the tank was robot mig and the neck was was human weld mig. but every tank is x rayed before they leave the factory. also a side note, the inside of every tank contains info sprayed onto the metal at the final steel house. it contains who the manufacturer is, who tested it, when it was tested, who cut it to length, grade of material and date produced and date cut. it was a pain in the rear for us, we had to slow down our ctl line to allow the markings to overlap so that each sheet was marked 2.5 times. and the paperwork involved just to get them to take the material. they have a gov inspector on site who looks at every truck load. better them than me."Retreat hell, were just fighting in the other direction"Miller Trailblazer 302, Extreme 12 VS, Dimension 400, Spectrum 375, HF 251D-1, Milermatic 251 w/ spoolgun  Hypertherm 1000Lincoln sp 1702000 F-450 to haul it
Reply:Originally Posted by drivesectorThMy question is are Stick welds stronger than MIG welds?Drivesector
Reply:Re my previous postI can weld  with competence but cannot type properly should read Nuclear Industry standard welding when - etcetra!