Stick welding is also called shielded metal arc welding (SMAW). It can also weld just about any metal and is the preferred option for titanium and magnesium. Professional welders usually choose TIG when precision is required because they have greater control. The upsides are that TIG welds can be very strong and very neat. When compared to MIG, it is also quite slow. The result is a complicated process that takes time to master, so TIG welding is not generally recommended for absolute beginners. This requires two hands and may also involve a foot control to adjust power. The main difference between MIG and TIG is that the latter creates an arc using a non-consumable electrode that melts the two metals while a filler rod is fed in manually. Tungsten inert gas is also known as gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW). Flux core welding is good for steels and cast iron, but it cannot weld aluminum because aluminum wire is not available with flux included. When done correctly, flux core arc welds are as strong as gas metal arc welding, but they may require grinding after. The drawbacks are increased spatter (droplets of molten metal that get spat off) and less tidy welds. Without the need for gas bottles, flux core welding is also more portable than standard MIG welding. The shield is less easily disturbed, so flux core can be used outside. Instead, the gas shield is formed by chemicals contained within the welding wire. The big difference is that flux core welding doesn’t need a separate gas supply. The equipment is very similar, and in fact many MIG welders offer both MIG and flux core capability. Strictly speaking, flux core arc welding (FCAW) is another MIG process. With practice it can make fairly neat welds, though some cleanup may be required if the weld is going to be visible. MIG is great for welding mild steel, and it’s also good with stainless steel or cast iron. Because the shield is easily disrupted, MIG welding is done indoors to reduce the chance of contamination. MIG welding achieves this using gas (usually a mix of argon and carbon dioxide) from a separate bottle. To avoid contamination, a protective shield is formed. Wire speed can be varied to suit the metal being joined and the skill of the welder.ĭuring any welding process, the molten metal could be contaminated by dust, dirt, or chemicals in the air. The welding wire and the metal melt together to form a weld. A welding wire feeds automatically through a handheld welding gun. The machines that perform MIG are usually simple to set up, and the process is quite forgiving. It is generally regarded as the easiest form of welding for beginners to learn. MIG stands for “metal inert gas.” It is also called gas metal arc welding (GMAW). The following explains how each arc welding process differs and the typical uses for each. This arc provides tremendous heat, melts the metal, and forms a weld. It’s not unusual, for example, to see questions such as “Is arc welding better than MIG welding?”Īll the welding processes we are looking at fall under the broad description of “arc welding.” They all create an arc of electrical current between the tool and the metal to be welded. People often use the term “arc welding” as if it is a specific process. Let’s start by clearing up a common point of confusion. We’ll then move on to the various features that will define how the welder performs and how practical it is for a particular range of tasks. We’ll look at the way they work, and what each is capable of achieving. We will start by explaining each of the four main welding processes. Photo: What to Consider When Choosing the Best Welders for Beginners ALSO CONSIDER: LOTOS MIG175 175AMP Mig Welder with Free Spool Gun.BEST MULTI-PROCESS: YESWELDER Digital MIG-205DS MIG Welder, 200Amp.BEST STICK: Hobart 500570 Stickmate 160i.BEST FLUX CORE: Forney Easy Weld 261, 140 FC-i Welder, 120V.BEST TIG: S7 Tig Welder, HF TIG/Stick/Arc TIG Welder, 200 Amp.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |