93civicgone

I searched and found that nobody has really asked about welding before. So i have a few questions for the experienced.

What is the difference between a mig and tig welder?

Is there a welder that is more flexible in use than another?

Im trying to find out what would be good to do exhuast work, fender sheet metal work, and possible frame fabrication for air bags. Is there something out there that can do all of that, or two different types. Im looking for something cheep too, not junk but nowhere near top of the line either. Thanks

93civicgone

also am i going to need to wire a new circuit from my power box in the garage?

conquer11s

mig will probably be your best bet. you could probably get away with a 120 volt single phase mig welder. as long as your not welding anything over about a quarter inch at the most. with mig you are going to get nicer nooking welds as compared to flux core because there is no slag created. but of course mig is going to be more expensive because of the cost of the argon gas that you are going to need to get for welding. the machine is going to cost more also because of the requirements of welding. but as they say, buy it once not twice. a 220 volt will allow you to weld thicker material

conquer11s

oh yeah, plus you can weld aluminium with the mig, you cant with flux core

91tegrsjg

well the more flexable on would be MIG. but the high quality welds and better looking welds will come from a TIG machine. but that is only if you know how to fo it. id say stick with MIG. its the most popular with sheet metal anyways

91tegrsjg

you can run flux core though a mig machine we did it all the time at votech. flux core is very strong and looks very smooth

93civicgone

thanks for the quick input, yeah im not worried a ton on the look of it long as it is strong. If its visible i dont mind having to grind alot.

conquer11s

like he said that you can run flux core in a mig machine also

PJ2

Flux core is also referred to as mig welding since the feeder and gun are essentially the same, the tig set up will give you much cleaner looking welds and much more control over the amount of welding material you use, heat control and penetration. It all takes a lot of practice, for what you want to do a good mig machine with the appropriate gas should be all you need. BTW, I'm no expert but I've been welding my own exhausts and miscellaneous stuff for about 3 years now with flux core wire, it works for me.

93civicgone

now with flux core i dont use the gas right?