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Metal inert gas (MIG) and tungsten inert gas (TIG) are two common welding methods. The type that’s right for your needs depends on several factors, including your time frame for completion of the project, the welding site, and the welder. Nadler Welding & Repair Shop in Wentzville, MO, has been providing expert metal fabrication since 1951 and explains differences between MIG and TIG welding to help you decide which you need.

MIG Welding

MIG welding often is compared to using a hot glue gun due to the speed of the process. A welder uses a tool called a spool gun that features a wire attached to a direct electrical current that acts as an electrode to fuse pieces of metal together. As it forms a weld, the gun emits a gas that shields the work area from atmospheric gases like nitrogen and oxygen. This is necessary to prevent these gases from making contact with the electrode or welding material, which would produce a brittle and weak weld.

MIG welding creates strong, long-lasting joints with a neat appearance, so you won’t have to use a grinder or sandpaper to smooth them. The spool gun lets the welder work efficiently on a variety of surfaces — even sheet metal as thin as 26 gauge. However, the use of gases makes MIG welding equipment hard to use outdoors and the welder must understand what wire and gas work best with different metal surfaces.

TIG Welding

TIG weldingTIG welding is more precise and cleaner than other techniques, which makes it ideal for detailed work. The big difference between MIG and TIG welding is that while MIG uses a metal electrode, TIG uses a nonconsumable tungsten electrode. It needs an extremely high temperature to melt the tungsten, so the technician must feed filler into the welding area while operating the torch. The welder also must use a foot pedal to adjust the heat.

TIG welding forms clean, even welds and gives the operator excellent control of the process, allowing them to create high-quality bonds. However, the method requires exceptional coordination and technique because the welder must use both hands and one foot to operate the equipment and make adjustments. The complexity of TIG welding makes it slower than MIG welding, and it requires a completely clean surface to ensure the integrity of the bonds.

If you need precise and reliable welding for a project and don’t know which method to choose, consult Nadler Welding & Repair Shop in Wentzville, MO. They provide high-quality metal fabricating and repair welding for a variety of materials, including aluminum and stainless steel, and their mobile welding crew even will come to your job site. Call (636) 327-4404 to discuss your project and visit their website for more information about their work. Follow them on Twitter for additional insight from the metal shop.

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