i took welding class when i was in high school. teacher was so cool. i know how to weld with mig pretty good. all A's and B's on every project. but since tig machine was all broken. we ever get chance to use them or know about it. i know mig have to use gas able to weld. does tig's use gas too?? whats more easy to use? for me mig was easy i welded pretty good on pipe, butt join, lap join, t join ect. so pleace tell me about tig weld.

are they use lots of volt? i mean ya..the electronic bill will just $$$$??
what are good compact welding machine?? cheap and works just fine. just enough to weld pipe's..no major big work. we used Miller machine in high school. teacher said pretty pricy machin..

thanks for reading.

 

yeah tig uses gas, except it uses 100% argon

tig takes way more practice, mig is point and shoot for the most part

can't tell you about the bills, never had one at home

for a good tig its gonna cost ya some money...i recommend miller, but they are pricey, but you get what you pay for....there's not really a compact tig, if you use one, its probably junk anyhow...just use mig...i know you say just some pipe, but for what, does it need to look nice, are you going to finish the welds

 

My electric bill really didn't go up that much to be honest.....maybe about 20-30 bucks a month welding pretty regularly.

There are budget TIG machines out there that are DC only just as long as you don't need to weld aluminum (need AC for that). TIG's require alot more practice, alot more patience, and a hell of alot more cleaning of the work. The great result though is an awesome controlled weld that in my opinion is just way more satisfying.

I used my MIG like a champ...til I got my TIG. Now the MIG pulls tack welding duty and that's about it. I personally bought the most affordable yet full duty (AC/DC) TIG I could find new. I of course tossed the Miller versus Lincoln machines in the 1500-2000 dollar range and came out with a Lincoln 185. For automotive applications I have yet to come up short with this machine. It lays awesome welds and also has a pulser like more expensive machines which helps tremendously in my opinion (the Miller machine of comparable price didn't have that). I bought the machine then basically self taught myself, and the pulser just helped a ton with the bead profile as well as my rhythm, not to mention it kept the work cooler.

TIG is a great tool if you can spare up the cash to buy one.