Jim,
TIG (also known as Heli-Arc) is most often used for aluminum and other non-
ferrous metals such as magnesium and chrome alloys. They are
expensive and use helium as the shielding gas. I don't think he has a TIG
though I guess anything's possible. The TIG can also be used on other
metals, there's no splatter and little smoke. A MIG (Metal Inert Gas) has
wire feed, can be used with or without gas (Argon, Argon/CO2 mixture) is
about the easiest welding you'll ever learn (if you can use a caulking gun
chances are you can MIG weld). If it uses wire on a reel, it's a MIG. As
points of reference, Sears has MIG welders with everything except the
bottle for around $350, Home Depot type stores have the wire feed welder
for about $250 and the gas shielding (MIG) add on kit for about $100.
Andy
On 01/21/98 02:40 PM JAMES_S_WALLACE@HP-Canada-om1.om.hp.com
said...
> I have a neighbour who's upgrading his shop and has offered to sell me
> his TIG welder. I don't know the price yet. It's a 120 volt light duty
> model which appeals to me for now. I asked what the difference was
> between MIG and TIG, and he told me that MIG is for aluminum and TIG
> is for steel. May he have said that backwards?
> If it turns out that what he's got for sale is really for aluminum I
> don't want it, so could someone let me know the real scoop?
>
> Thanks,
> Jim Wallace
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