Knowing the difference between MIG and TIG welding can be fairly daunting and confusing. And that isn’t even going anywhere near Stick welding and Ali welding. So unless you have used and understood each type of welding style, and how it functions, it is difficult to understand the differences.
A little piece of Advice before I continue: If you intend to weld any part of a car or vehicle, unplug the battery!…Also make sure you know the code for your radio and remove that too!
You must unplug the battery because the welder can earth itself through the car, causing a fuse shortens out. This flattens the battery. Also you must disconnect your radio because if you don’t you will need to re-code it. And if you’re like me and lost the number long ago, you’ll have a vehicle without a radio.
I’ll start with MIG Welding since it is probably the most easiest of the two.
MIG Welding has many names: MIG (Metal Inert Gas), MAG (Metal Active Gas), or GMAW (Gas Metal Arc Welding). MIG welding consists of a continuous flow of a consumable wire electrode, called MIG Wire, and a Shielding inert gas called ArgoShield (a mixture of Argon and Carbon Dioxide). Both the wire electrode and the gas flow out of a “gun” which is initiated by the user by the use of a trigger.
The MIG welding machine contains the control board and the MIG Wire itself which is supplied in a large coil. MIG Wire is normal steel wire coated in a copper finish to reduce the spatter (or splatter, as it sometimes called). Splatter comes from the gas and steel coming together whilst melting the joining two pieces of steel. Spatter is seen as a multitude of tiny glowing sparks.
It is important to remember not to look at the ultraviolet light that the welding creates when in progress. In order to work unaffected, a special helmet us used. The helmet is specially designed with blackened sides and a liquid-crystal face plate. This darkens when an arc is made. Without the use of a helmet (i.e. if nothing or even sunglasses are worn), prolonged exposure to the heat and light will burn the retina of the eye and cause inflammation of the cornea. This condition is known as arc eye.
Next is the TIG Welding. This is more of an art welding. It can take years of practice to become efficient at TIG Welding.
GTAW (Gas Tungsten Arc Welding), or more commonly known as TIG (Tungsten Inert Gas Welding) is a form of welding that consists of using a tungsten, a non-consumable electrode, to heat up two pieces of metal to bond them together. The principle is exactly the same as MIG Welding but does not need a constant continuous flow of metal. Sometimes it is required to “scratch” the surface of the material to create a little spark in order to proceed with the work. In newer machines, this is not necessary.
TIG welding is a very specialist form of welding since it produces a more neat welding of metals. Sometimes, if done professionally, a weld can seem invisible to the untrained eye since it leaves only a tiny seam.
The Gun used, for TIG welding, is made so it can grip the tungsten and can be kept steady during the welding process. The tip of the gun is covered by a shroud to allow the gas (called Argon) a direct line. The tip of the tungsten becomes very hot, at least 4000 degrees Celsius. Enough to melt to metals together.
When TIG welding, it is essential that the materials being used are clean, sound and free from dirt. If not, then the end result becomes a “black” mess. A bit like a “coked” look.
Ali TIG is very similar to standard TIG. But there are differences: the tungsten for standard TIG must be kept sharp – the end must be kept to a point. The tungsten for Ali TIG must have a ball on the end. This is made by melting the end a little before beginning a weld.
As with all welding, MIG and TIG both give of ultraviolet rays which can be harmful to skin if exposed. The same goes for the eyes. A helmet must be worn. The helmet is the most essential piece of protective clothing. But it is important to protect the skin and eyes from any form of exposure when welding.
