Thread: MIG vs TIG Let's get ready to Rumble!

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I don't think this one will ever see 140 mph! I'm building it for cruisin not racing. Plus I'm using a flathead which for now is mostly stock, I probably am looking at 150 Horsepower max.

I use TIG because I have a nice new one, it's clean and doesn't leave spatter all over, Looks nice, easy to get good solid welds, I can weld almost any common material, no cleanup.....

You need a good fit, but no big deal. If you are "gap welding" with MIG you are kidding yourself on strength. It may get by because of shear volume of weld but if really tested it will not pass. You may be able to weld aluminum with practice with MIG but it will take time to get a good weld. Look at aluminum trailers. These guys do it all day every day so the welds are usually pretty good. MIG does a good job on mild steel but you need good fit and good wire for 4130 just as Tig plus you really have to work on penetration.

jmho

I think speed is also a factor, is it not? Mig is better when you are doing long passes and lots of them, but tig is a lot slower process, as I understand it.

I'm a little surprised the tig I got Dan hasn't been used more, but he is so comforable with his mig that he uses it almost exclusively. My buddy who owns the body shop bought the very same tig at the same time period, and he hasn't used his yet. He says he's waiting for Dan to teach him how.

Maybe when he starts on his body the tig will be used then.

Don