When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
I am researching welders and want to hear from people that have mig and/or tig welders. I can't decide which to buy. Granted I am not a experienced welder but am quite confident that I will be able too. What are the pro's and con's of one over the other. I am leaning towards a AC/DC Tig. Basicly home hobby stuff. Most seem to default to a mig but can't you pretty much accomplish the same with a tig and isn't a tig a cleaner and better weld? I ask because this is what I have read. But want the real option of individuals that have experience with either and why your choice. Cost is not the issue but a consideration I have 120v/240v availible. With product that is available I can get something that would work and last at my rate of use. Thanks for your input.
I have a 140amp Lincoln MIG machine at the house , can weld pretty much anything i need at the house ..from.car sheet metal to 5/16" steel .
At work i use Mig , Tig & stick ... You can lay a pretty bead with all 3 . Mig is the easiest to learn ... takes a while using the TIG machine to get down "walking the dog " ... lol...
Mag all the way,for home projects. Tig is great for precision parts or for very delicate stuff. I have both and use the mig 95% of the time. If you do get a tig welder make sure it's high frequency. If you're planning on doing a lot of aluminum welding the tig is the way to go. Mag can do it, but you gonna buy a different tank a spool gun and it's not worth it. If money isn't a big deal, get both. 😉
Thank you for all thr feedback. What are your thoughts on Eastwoods 175amp. I looked at Miller, Hobart and lincoln but the cost differents is quite a lot. If I was in a production business I would not hesitate on the one of the big three. I am just a enthusiast.
I had a metal restoration shop for antique and classic cars for 25 years and used a Miller 250 Mig welder ( same welder for 25 years ) Very good welder and much faster than tig welders. I also had a tig welder but very seldom used it because of the extra time involved . Miller welders are usually the choice for industrial use such as steel mills , portable welding trucks , etc.
I purchased a AC/DC Tig from Eastwood along with a Plasma Cutter. I went to a class at Eastwood and it didn't seem too bad.
I might get a Mig down the road if I find one at a good price.
Bob K.
Bob how do you like the tig. This is the one I was looking at. Just wasn't sure if it fit the bill. What are your thoughts? Wasn't sure if it would take the place of the mig.
I bought an AC/DC TIG machine to do 304 stainless exhaust on my 69.
Chose TIG over MIG for better control and cleaner welds. It takes a little bit of practice and I find the process of researching and learning TIG welding quite fun for me.
Haven't tried AC mode for aluminum yet, but DC for stainless is working well.
I TIG weld almost every day in my line of work. I love it. Sooo much nicer welds UNLESS I'm in a hurry, then I break out the MIG and even then not on customer stuff. MIG is easier , it doesn't put as much heat in the metal and if you aren't careful you can have a decent looking weld and not have good penetration. With TIG you have time to see exactly whats happening. BTW, I restore old Harley frames and my customers lives are literally riding on my work. It HAS to be good. I am just finishing up a 1937 Knucklehead frame.
Both of my machines were made by Lincoln, My 255 square wave Tig is 20 yrs old now ! It's been trouble free.
If my life's work was building frames, structural parts, "touchy-feely" parts, or aluminum parts, then TIG is the way to go.
Given that my projects generally consist of sticking pieces of metal together, MIG is a no-brainer.
I'll put it this way: If you had BOTH machines, you'd grab the MIG gun 9 times out of 10 and only grab the TIG torch when you HAD to have it absolutely perfect the first time.
The Millermatic 211 is an awesome, reasonably priced, portable, flexible, and powerful machine.
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (performance mods)
2019 C3 of Year Winner (performance mods)
2016 C3 of Year Finalist
Mig is less expensive and doesn't necessarily need gas, but the flux cored wire isn't exactly clean. You can weld aluminum but you need the spool gun that will feed the wire at the very end of your hose. Lincoln makes a reliable machine as does Miller, but Hobart is less expensive.
Ive been looking at A Hobart TIG mainly for cleanliness and flexability. You can weld much thinner material with a TIG without distortion or blow through. I have no experience with Eastwood. If your looking at thick metal as in frames and bigger stuff, get the MIG, if you want to do body panels and thin sheet metal get the TIG. If your not patient with the learning curve buy the MIG first to learn on, then a TIG because its a two handed one foot type of operation . A good TIG will have a foot pedal to control your Arc and you need gas. Good luck
Last edited by Rescue Rogers; Nov 4, 2015 at 10:40 AM.
Just an FYI: Miller bought Hobart years ago. The Hobart 140 I bought 10 years ago has a Miller gun. It cost about $100 less than an equivalent Miller and I've had no problems with it. It's seen pretty heavy use. Once you have a welder, suddenly lots of things need welding.
I had a Miller 130 MIG for years and upgraded to the Miller 211 with autoset.
It has run flawlessly. It can be run on 110 or 220 volt. I use it on 110 90% of the time for metal 1/4" or thinner. Anything over that I switch over to the 220 volt plug.
I don't know who builds the East Wood welders but Miller has distributors in most cities if service is needed.
This can be an on going question or answer. My take is this Mig can do most things to be fixed while restoring a car. Tig welders can be very expensive and unless you plan on doing a ton of welding a Mig welder is easier on the pocket book.
ZIO
Now I did NO after grinding and you can lay a stack a dimes by practice, practice , and oh yea PRACTICE!!!
You can do it!
I have Hobart MVP 210 mig, it will run on 115 or 230 volt and can have a spool gun added for aluminum. Price runs around $800, it's a lot of welder for the money.
Bob how do you like the tig. This is the one I was looking at. Just wasn't sure if it fit the bill. What are your thoughts? Wasn't sure if it would take the place of the mig.
I purchased it to do some welding jobs at my shop. It's a nice unit, but I need to spend more time practicing. My brother has a MIG if I need to borrow it.
If money is not an object and you don't need to do aluminum TIG consider the machine below. With this machine you could do both. Otherwise the MM211 would be a good choice.
Be careful of off brand equipment as parts and consumables can be hard to come by and most are made in China.
Which Welder
