Posted by Kevin in Ohio on Monday, January 26, 2004 at 11:30AM :
In Reply to: Plasma cutters ,TIG, MIG posted by Dave on Monday, January 26, 2004 at 10:06AM :
I'll try to explain the differences and I'm sure others will do better than me
MIG - Metal Inert Gas - These are wire feed welders, in other words you push a button and wire comes out the end at a preset heat range and wire speed. You can use with gas or with a flux core rod. Shielding gas is MUCH better and leaves little if any slag and a lot prettier weld. Easiest of all welders to use in my opinion. Nice on thin materials.
TIG - Tunsten Inert Gas - Cadillac of welders. Uses a Tungsten rod that doesn't melt(if used properly) Uses a shielding gas and no flux rod. You can either use fill rod or just fuse the 2 pieces together. You can weld mild and stainless steel, and aluminum and other metals with these. Torches are normally water cooled. Welding with filler rod is similar to torch welding other than you have control of the amperage(HEAT) of the arc. Max amperage is set on the machine and you can slowly bring it up or down via a foot pedal or thumb control. This fives you complete control of the heat which is real nice. In the right hands and with practice, you can do really nice stuff. Abusolute best on thin materials and a must for stainless work. :) Mine also Stick welds with a flip of a couple of switches.
Plasma cutter - No gas used, just hooked up to an air supply. Dry compreesed air from an air compressor is fine. Cuts any metal that can be grounded. Pricey but fast and on thinner metals you can't beat them. Warpage is basically non existant because it cuts so fast. Burning generally no more 1/8" out from cut if set properly. On thicker stuff I still use a normal torch as the Kerf( blow out on the back side of cut) on a plasma torch leaves a larger V on the cut. You do have consumables with a plasma as the tip parts wear and get damaged from the blowing metal as they are made out of copper.
Hope this helps, Kevin