how strong is tig welds, cause im thinking of just 4getting about mig and just start saving for tig, but if i wanna do stuff like welding on bodyparts,rollbars,seat rails,maybe fix a motor mount braket ect. would tig be sufficient for this kind of jobs?

 

strength isn't an issue, its the ease of use. Mig is way faster, both are stronger than you need.

 

Depends how well you can weld. If you've only done Mig before your Tig welds will be **** at first. If you know how to Tig correctly it is just as strong if not stronger than Mig. Tig welding is required by most racing bodies (ie. NHRA) for roll cages. Tig is just slower than Mig and it has more of a learning curve.

 

Generally speaking two pieces of metal joined together through welding(Mig, Tig, Arc, even brazing) have less sheer or tensile strength than the welded joint.

 

thanks guys, so basically they are both just as strong.

 

Actually no. I do both professionally. Some with argue they are the same, and in a small way they are. Tig welding is a more precise weld. It can be controlled by the heat selection using the foot controller during the weld. The tungsten tip is small and you can weld a very small weld which distorts less and heats up the surrounding metal less. It is very good for body work and light metal. Which is why most fabricators use TIG for welding up tanks, fenders, etc. Mig is very good for heavier material and it also lays a thicker bead.
Tig is also preferred for doing alloys also. If you are doing just regular mild steel welding and you can grind the excess off, MIG is better. It is 4 times fast, easier than TIG. In the end, it is your preference. Have fun!!

 

tig heat affect zone is smaller and welds don't have to be finished, i'm definlty picking up a tig when i get out of school...

 

300A here well, almost.

 

guess i ll keep saving for that holbart tig welder

 

regardless, if you plan on doing a roll cage, which i am assuming you are going to be doing, because welding body panels is very difficult and takes alot of skill at other things dealing with sheet metal fabrication, i would just get a MIG welder. mig is much faster, and much more user friendly. you can get the stock gun in most places, and the welds will be strong as long as you are taught correctly. and if you are looking to get a tig instead of mig welder, try oxy/acet welding or brazing a few things. That will open the door for what you will be getting into with a tig welder. similar hand eye coordination with both hands, though it is still slower than tig.

 

you know you have a good point i have seen peeps use tig,mig welders tons of time looks simple enough but i never tried it myself, so i think i will test it out before i invest so much money,thankz

 

The real truth is, if you are into fabrication even midly and are considering a TIG machine, you will want a MIG also, You'll end up using the MIG most often to Tack weld and the TIG to finish weld...