Originally Posted by
Celika
Hi
A good MIG cost about the same as a decent TIG (about 350-400€ new, there is even a nice Stahlwerk AC/DC TIG for 500€), and argon/Co² is not so much cheaper that 100% argon right here.
I guess the gas cusomption is lower as the welding speed is higher with the MIG, but I was mostly interested of MAG with Co2 because it's super cheap and easier to get (from pub, or even Co2 extinguisher). Apart from that, even if it's harder to learn, I'd prefer get a TIG (slower but more possibilities).
Plus, I'm looking for perhaps become professionnal framebuilder in some time (I need a looooot of learning and practice before), the TIG or brazing is more used.
I'd like to be able to build cromo frames too, I already have some old MTB cromo frames and a road Columbus Thron frame to modify/recycle. And thin tubes accessories like racks.
Agree much better to go with TIG than MIG. The argon lasts quite a long time. 5 or 6 litres per minute is plenty for practicing and making furniture, bbqs, etc (which is all also practicing
but I turn it up a bit higher than that on actual frames just to get shinier welds and to make sure.
The Stahlwerk machines are indeed very cheap and I guess AC might be useful if you want to make aluminium racks. But if you do get a TIG you should also budget for a foot-pedal and a number 9 CK torch with a flex hose. These are quite pricey but make life much easier for delicate work like bike tubes. A lot of people use pulse TIG for bikes but personally I prefer to just use the pedal. And you only need about 80A max so the cheaper machines that max out at 160A or so are fine.
I seem to have hijacked a brazing thread to go on about welding so apologies for that...