Mig Welder vs Tig Welder – Which One Is Better?

When purchasing goods, one of the most frequently asked question is ‘what is the difference between these two?’ The welding field is no exception as most people keep enquiring about the difference between the different welders in an attempt to find out which one fits them most.

Welding is crucial and it is important to know the best method to use. Mig and Tig Welding are both methods of welding. Just like in any other field, each of them has advantages and disadvantages.

Understanding them both methods empowers you to choose intelligently the method that better suits you.

As you choose, it is important to understand how the two methods work. Look on those things every method wants in order to be effective. But we are going to look at them basically to identify the main differences and similarities between the two.

Differences between Mig and Tig Welding

The following are some of the key factors that you will look at in order to understand the differences between the two.

1. Procedure

Procedure is actually the key feature. This is the main difference between Mig and Tig welding. In Metal Inert Gas Welding, a continuous feeding wire is fed through the spool gun.

This is what creates the weld. On the other hand, in Tungsten Inert Gas Welding, a long welding rod is fed into the weld wet patch. Here, the user must fill the distinct filler with one hand while operating the torch with the other. This brings about the difference in terms of difficulty.  

2. Difficulty and Control

As cited above, Tig and Mig welding vary in terms of operation. Needless to say, Mig welding is far much easier since the wire is fed continuously.

Contrariwise, Tig requires the welder to hold the torch on one hand while holding the filler material on the other hand at the same time. This makes Mig Welding an ideal technique for but not limited to beginners.

In terms of control, Mig is for that reason easier to control as one only does it with one time. Tig is oppositely difficult to control as it demands timing, coordination of both hands and balancing without which the welder will deliver a poor weld that will not last long.

3. The thickness of the metal

While both Mig and Tig welding operates with a variety of metal types and gauges, Mig is more accommodating. It works best with an assortment of metals such as aluminum, stainless steel and even mild steel.

In as much as Tig can weld these metals too, it does well in the thin metals. So the thickness of a metal bring a big differences between the two methods of welding.

4. Power required

The amount of power required to weld differ in this processes. It bring much difference because the two methods use power differently.

Mig welders have an option of choosing between alternating current (AC) and direct current (DC) this allows you to choose the preferred current depending on the metal that you are welding which is actually a plus.

On the other hand, Mig uses direct current using a constant voltage.

5. Cost

We cannot finish without looking at the cost used for the two processes to work. In terms of cost Tig is much more expensive. First, the welding equipment is almost twice the price of a Mig welder in the same category.

The ideal arc characteristics and its ability to produce a very decent weld sacrifices its cost. The difference in price remains even as on moves to the machines with more power and more advanced features.

Secondly, as earlier mentioned, it is difficult to Tig Weld than to Mig weld. Subsequently, it is harder to train welders to Tig weld as it requires more time, skill and more expensive equipment.

6. Appearance of the weld

The appearance or body designs of the item welded can completely give a great picture on the process used in making the item.

Generally, Tig welding produces a cleaner weld. For this reason, it is used for welding ornaments since it is better-looking.

7. The shielding Gas

In Mig welding, the gas that is used to shield the arc from oxygen and the atmosphere is argon and Carbon (IV) Oxide (CO₂). As a matter of fact, Mig welders can use carbon (IV) Oxide and still deliver a perfect weld. Tig welding conversely uses mainly Argon.

8. Speed

From the foregoing discussion, it is clear that Mig is a faster method of welding compared to Tig welding. This makes Mig welding an ideal investment for the people that deal with large productions.

Tig, though highly detailed is slow and complex and there ideal for persons that are not dealing with very large productions.

Pros and Cons of Mig and Tig welding

Mig welding pros

Mig welding cons

Tig welding pros

Tig welding cons

Final Verdict

There are however myriad of differences between Metal Inert Gas welder and Tungsten Inert Gas Welding. They vary in a variety of parameters such as power, speed, thickness of the metal, cost, procedure, the appearance of the weld among others.

The two methods have their pros and cons and the success of the weld is dependent on so many factors including what you are welding, the quantity among others.

The decision on which one to purchase is consequently not an easy one. However, with the right understanding of the two methods, the decision on which method is better for you is an easier one.