welding?!?!?! tig or mig???

santiablo · Full Member Joined: Apr 14, 2008 Posts: 98

i coulda sworn some one tole me awile back that mig was the best for bike frames but i keep seing all these hardtails that are tig am i goin crazy dos it mater what? i was guna take some welding classes but i can only take one ofr the other!!!

WayneMeuir · Posted: April 27, 2008, 8:56 pm Post subject: Re: welding?!?!?! tig or mig???

Tig Welding is generally thought to be stronger. Mig Welding is faster and easier. Tig is also better for aluminum, lots better. You can weld aluminum with a Mig, but unless you are really good, its gonna be difficult and usually really ugly welds.
ost welding classes introduce you to all three, stick, mig, & tig.

I have all three, and find I use the Mig 90% of the time. With practice, you can make nice welds with a Mig, but it does take practice because it is really easy to make cold weld joints that don't have good penetration if you go too fast.

If I only had one welder, it would be a Mig

Wayne

madj74 · 650Rider Supporter Joined: Apr 10, 2008 Posts: 18

Unless you are loaded mig is great.

projectcrawler · New Member Joined: Nov 28, 2007 Posts: 4

I am not a professional welder although i have made a few bucks welding things. My trusty mig has never let me down. You can make some very pretty welds with a tig. But, with a little practice, you can make some nice welds with a mig. My welder has a chart for setting heat and wire speed. i follow this chart, move slow in a c type pattern and the welds look pretty nice and i haven't had one break yet. Spend the extra money you save on a paint job! Idea

I Bought a hobart 140 from tractor supply. THE KEY= I ran a 10 gauge wire from a 30 amp breaker to my garage. This line runs nothing but my welder. It made a HUGE difference.

Cooltouch · Posted: April 28, 2008, 8:35 pm Post subject: Re: welding?!?!?! tig or mig???

I learned how to weld using a torch -- acetylene, that is. I still recommend that, if you're learning, you learn how to use a torch. No electricity required Smile

Mig is nice. Tig is even nicer, but man-o-man is it pricey!

Best,

ichael

santiablo · Full Member Joined: Apr 14, 2008 Posts: 98

thanks guys i apritiate it alot now i just gotta diside which one to take im taken a arc class monday wensday and eather a tig or a mig tue thur im already signed up for the mig so i might just do that im just worid im guna weld a frame together n it will break n ill kill my self or worse wont be able to ride any more n when u look at it that way the extra money for tig seams worth it

WayneMeuir~Most welding classes introduce you to all three, stick, mig, & tig. yah well the intro class dident fit my scedual there was no way i could take it so im just guna take the intro to each specific kind or what ever

WayneMeuir · Posted: April 28, 2008, 10:37 pm Post subject: Re: welding?!?!?! tig or mig???

You can't go wrong with a mig for most general welding, but since you are a novice, I would like to recommend that you get a professional to weld up your frame. It might save your life.
If you jig up the frame and tack weld it all together the way you want it, and then take it to a pro to have the final welding done, you will probably be miles ahead.
If the frame breaks at high speed, you stand a better than reasonable chance of it getting really ugly.

Wayne

royfisk · Posted: April 29, 2008, 11:24 am Post subject: Re: welding?!?!?! tig or mig???

well everyone try welding cast alluminum on your do it all mig machine, let us know how you make out. As for tig it is the ultimate electric machine but costly. mig almost anyone can do. mig does work for most motorcycle work, and definately easier,and cheaper. Personally I think the new up and comming way of home welding will be the henrod 2000 torch. It is cost affective, less distortion then the mig, welds like a tig, cuts like plasma, and is portable. One other note to mention mig welds splatter causeing clean up process, tig welds do not.

lerch124 · Posted: April 29, 2008, 12:37 pm Post subject: Re: welding?!?!?! tig or mig???

roy I used to weld with an oxyacetylene torch and a coat hanger on the farm when I was a kid. this is old tech with a new face. as for cutting I have seen people that can cut just as good with an oxyacetylene torch as thay can with a plasma torch. sorry if i burst anyones bubble but when you grow up on a farm you find out alot of cool stuff from the old timers.

royfisk · Posted: April 29, 2008, 3:50 pm Post subject: Re: welding?!?!?! tig or mig???

lerch old tech? check out henrod torches at www.cut-like-plasma.com/index.htm
This torch is ultimately cool. Entery Cost is less then any major brands suitcase mig. Does so much more. 100% portable. I have a 300 amp multi purpose machine and Tig. also have suitcase mig, and a set of torches. This one welding set up will do everything plus the cutting. What $375.00??? Could of saved myself what $3000.00.
I may sell off my electric stuff and have just one of these units. More space in storage.

lerch124 · Posted: April 29, 2008, 5:39 pm Post subject: Re: welding?!?!?! tig or mig???

Don't get me wrong this is cool but it's not realy that new. farmers have ben doing this for years. I'll be it with a bigger oxyacetylene rig but still... Have you been on a farm with an old timer that can set the torch just right so it cuts the cleanest lines you have ever seen? I have and befor the plasma torch. I was tought to weld body panals with oxyacetylene and a hanger or bale wire ect. let me reiterate this idea is cool but not new.

Plus this is only 4 or 5 head and some accessories you still have to buy the Oxygen and Acetylene tanks and haul them around. $375.00 for a torch heads seams about right to me but I havent priced them lately. If you get one let me know if it's all their cracked up to be. I'd be interisted to know.

What Happened to 650rider.com?

Yamaha xs650