What Is the Difference Between TIG & MIG Welders?
Video transcription
Hi I'm Steve Anthony. I'm a handyman here in New York City. The difference between TIG and MIG welding is essentially the way that the material is handled. They both involve gas and metal. MIG is an acronym for Metal Inner Gas, TIG for Tungsten Inert Gas. In TIG welding the electrode is very specifically Tungsten, hence the name Tungsten Inert Gas so you are using a Tungsten electrode and the Inert gas provides a shield so that oxygen is not introduce into the weld. The biggest difference in the actual composition of the weld between TIG and MIG, TIG the Tungsten electrode while it creates the heat between the two materials that are being welded the Tungsten electrode does not melt into the weld. The material itself is fused together and the Tungsten electrode is burned off. In MIG welding the wire that is fed through the nozzle actually becomes part of the welded material so beginning welders find it a lot easier to work with MIG welds because it is just basically one gun you hold in your hand, you push the button and it joins the two pieces of material. In TIG welding you have to have a torch with your gas and your electrode and a foot switch usually that creates the arch. It is much more artistic when it is finished. It is a much more attractive weld but it requires a lot more skill as a welder to get a good TIG weld. It is certainly something that if you are a welder you would want to try to strive for it and become proficient at it but for the average home owner if you are doing a metal project around the house. You are building a bracket or something you would probably want to stick with MIG welding and you can even rent a MIG welder for just a day to practice on and develop your proficiency.