MIG Welding vs TIG Welding

Home > Learn & Resources > MIG Welding vs TIG Welding

Welding Buyers Guide Choosing a welding helmet Learn how to MIG Weld Choosing A MIG Welder MIG Welding vs TIG Welding Hypertherm Learn & Resources Choosing a TIG welder

How does each process work?

MIG WELDING

This form of welding uses a continuously feeding wire, and uses the filter wire itself to produce arc and melts to add to the weld pool -

Emits the need for additional filter wire and can be put down quite easily and quickly. Welding current in this case is decided by wire speed and power supply -

TIG Welding

Creates a weld pool by feeding in long welding rods, making it more controlled and keeping both hands of the operator busy. -

Produces arc with a non-consumable tungsten electrode. Tungsten has the highest melting point of any metal, used to transfer a welding current to an arc without degrading -

What are the two processes good for?

MIG Welding

The speed and ease makes it perfect for putting down large amounts of welds. High is 50% quicker used on a variety of metals -

A range of material thickness can be welded, from thin gauged sheet metal right up to heavier structural plates -

This style of welding is geared towards productivity and ease -

TIG Welding

This type of welding is most often used on thinner gauge materials such as home appliances and furniture -

The low power option means there is much more control when welding, whilst creating a fine and delicate finish -

For heavier tasks such as pipe welding TIG welding requires a supportive power unit -

What are the downsides of each process?

MIG WELDING

Although this style can quickly put down welds, the speed can compromise the preciseness of the weld -

MIG welding creates 'spatter' which occurs when the wire electrode haven't fused with the weld puddle, it is important to control spatter. -

TIG Welding

Despite the fact that this type of weld is more precise, it can also be somewhat slow and time consuming -

The process can be awkward, as it requires two hands and a foot by holding the torch, feed the filler rod and run electricity with the foot pedal -

Which is the best process?

This depends on the job at hand. For home based projects where the welder has little experience and needs a simple solution, MIG welding would be more suitable. For more precise jobs TIG welding allows the welder to use the same machine for a wider variety of metals and is slightly lower in maintenance due to the external electrode.

Here at Foster Industrial we use the highest quality products and a team of experts who will work with you to find the right products for you.