by KCStudly » Wed Dec 28, 2016 7:51 am
Some welding techniques are "universal" across various types of welding (Stick, TIG, MIG and gas, to name the most common), so there would certainly be a benefit to taking a MIG course for the first time welder. However, stick welding is quite a bit different from MIG welding in several big ways, so a complete novice would probably want to study/practice both techniques.
The first couple of things that come to mind are:
1. MIG offers high visibility and is cleaner; whereas stick is flux shielded. With stick you weld more by feel and have to chip the flux "crust" off afterwards.
2. With MIG you don't have to advance the filler as you travel, the wire feeder does that for you; whereas with stick you have to feed the rod by hand as you travel. Again, this is sort of by feel.
3. MIG is much easier to initiate an arc, just pull the trigger and point; whereas with stick you need to learn how to do a scratch (or poke) start. Some varieties of filler rod are more finicky than others and can be a pain to start.
4. SAFETY! With MIG, once you let go of the trigger the current is shut off; whereas with stick the stinger is always live whenever the welder is turned on, so you have to be careful where you lay the stinger down, otherwise you can inadvertently strike an arc.
I'm sure there are many more differences, but these are the key difference in technique that I can think of off the top of my head.
KC
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