i will be setting myself up with a well equiped shop shortly and i have been looking at the price of "stuff". yet i cant make my mind up if i want a mig welder or tig welder. if money wasnt a concern at this point what is the best and easiest to use? any models that perform better than others? more reliable?
thanks for any/all advice

 

MIG welding is probably the easiest to learn, but a good TIG weld cannot be beat. TIG welding requires the use of both hands, takes time and patience to learn to control the puddle, but when using a gas shield, will make some of the prettiest (SHOW) and strongest welds around. TIG is the only weld that I know that will bond stainless or aluminum perfectly. Stainless is like aluminum, it is quite hard to weld.

MIG welding does has some limitations (actually depth). For actually everyday, around the shop, it is preferred, but if I was going to be doing extensive frame work, TIG would be the preference for me.

 

Its like pmasley said MIG is good for everyday stuff and get the job done quick type welds as long as u can control your heat enough not to melt thru what you are trying to weld. TIG is my personal favorite for welding but MIG is also very helpful. The smart thing to do is go the extra length and buy a machine that can do MIG and TIG all in the same machine. You'll just have to take your time and compare what brand to buy. I'm somewhat partial to Lincoln but Miller is also a very good brand. There are many brands and many styles of machines out so just compare what you want to what you will need.

 

thanks for that guys. had my eyes opened too. didn't know they made a mig/tig combo. anyone got one? views?

 

The only mig/tig combos are the seperate power supply/feeder machines. New, expect to pay about $5000 for the complete setup (Lincoln V350 Pro with LN25 feeder), plus extra for the tig torch.
I would get a Millermatic 210 for the mig, and a Miller Dynasty 200 for the tig and stick end of it. About $4500 altogether, but you can get these used for a lot cheaper.
The Dynasty will run on 110v single phase, but you need to run bigger fuses to keep from blowing them. The machine is much happier running on 220v single phase with 40amp mobile audio fuses.
The Millermatic needs 220v single phase.

 

great advice Ford_Six, thank you.

 

if you can only get one assuming its not a combo unit I would go tig its a little harder to learn but it will weld anything thats weldable with mabey a few exceptions like say plastic and the tig machine will stick weld for quick stuff thats not as critical

 

Most shops will have both MIG and TIG machines on hand. MIG will set up fast and useful to tack, you can tack with your TIG too though.
It all depends what kinds of jobs you are doing, and if you plan to make money by doing welding jobs. If you are doing this for income, buy good- affordable equipment(Miller, Lincoln, etc), then save to add to your needs.
Most TIGs will let you stick weld too, but wire welders are almost single task machines.
Have fun.