Well.......I can only speak from the MIG side since that's all I use. It sounds like you are getting a really fine machine. For what it sounds like you are going to be doing, I can't imagine the duty cycle being a problem. If you are planning on using the gas co2/argon mixture, you will get beautiful welds! (Flux-cored wire isn't as pretty.) You might want to have both machines eventually anyway so I can't imagine anyone who is into working with metal not getting their money's worth out of a mig machine. Just my thoughts although response from others who also do TIG might be more helpful.

If I had to get one welder for art work, I would get TIG. Multiple metals, very clean welds, metal does NOT have to be added to weld tight fitting pieces together. Mig and stick, and gas for that matter, have their places, but TIG is the most versatile welder. If I had my choice I would have all of them as they each have their own qualities and abilities. I have TIG, stick and gas and use Tig 98% of the time, but I am dealing with cast bronzes. The stick comes out for heavy steel welding and the gas for heating, bending and silver soldering. Tig will give you the cleanest, most even (lots of practice), spatter free welds of any. Gas is right in there on this but it is slower and one needs a great deal of proficiency to make good, solid, nice looking welds. Mig is quick, can be clean (right gas, wire and metal,,,,, and experience), OK penetration, many metals capability.

I could go on but then I repeat myself. Hope this helps a bit

John Dach

For your first welder in the shop I think you made the right choice. You can easily weld steel and stainless steel, and with the right sleeve maybe even aluminum(although you might have to buy a spool gun if the wire keeps jamming up). TIG welds are, for the most part, superior in both quality and looks(if done correctly), and the TIG machine can weld any metal with the right gas. However, TIG welding can be fairly temperamental and it is much slower than MIG. Cleaning and joint fit up become much more important. Also, out of position welding is much more difficult, especially if the piece is too large or heavy to flip around. Crawling over a large piece with torch, filler rod, and pedal can be very frustrating(but amusing to watch). In the end you'll want both welders in your shop. Sometimes the speed and ease of the MIG will outweigh the better looks and quality of the TIG.

Jake

For the work you say you're most likely to be doing, the MIG is a very good choice. Yes, TIG is cleaner, more versatile at different metals and more capable of producing high-quality welds, but it is not a quick method, either form the standpoint of the learning curve or production speed.

With MIG, you just pick up the glue gun and get right to it. Unless you start regularly working with stock heavier than 3/8", the duty cycle shouldn't be an issue. You'll be spending time grinding, fitting, cleaning and so on, while the machine cools. A MIG gun won't get too hot to hold, either. Unless you get a water-cooled TIG torch, you'll find that extended welding times leave you with a torch that you can't hold comfortably.

You can use the MIG for steel, stainless and silicon bronze with no changes other than maybe gas, and it works fine for out-of-position welding. For aluminum you may need a spool gun, or you may be able to get away with just a Teflon feeder liner, depending on the size and alloy of the aluminum. If you need to weld pretty heavy steel stock, you can do multiple passes and/or use dual-shield wire. The dual-shield gives really pretty welds with very little spatter, but it ain't cheap.

I have O/A, stick, MIG and TIG welders in my shop and the MIG gets the most use by far. For building jigs, fixtures, sculptures and repairs, it is the ticket. For the fussy stuff, the tiny stuff, and the exotic metals, TIG is the way to go. TIG is no fun at all when used out-of-position, though. For on-site instalation/repair work where spatter and smoke would be an issue, TIG simply cannot be beat. You can work right next to milady's damask draperies without fear, something you can't do with any other type of welding. Little or no clean-up, either. Each method has its place.

I'll note here that for working with steel and some stainless, you can do a lot with an O/A torch. The skills required for good O/A welding are much the same as for good TIG welding, and the results can be similar, particularly on mild steel. You would likely want the O/A torch for heating and cutting, as well.

In short, I'd advise sticking with the MIG unit. You'll be happy with it and you can get a TIG unit later if/when you have a real *need* for it.

Great advice from all. I now have less buyers remorse :)

Sounds like for the first shop machine I went the right route. I guess I was just figuring one $2000+ purchase would suffice but it looks like when the time is right and it is needed, a TIG system will be in my future. Doesn't seem like anyone "hates" my choice in the make/model of the MIG I ordered...so I guess I'm good there.

Thanks again for all the advice and input!

Not to repeat what all these accomplished artisans have already said, but I just want to chime in as a relative tenderfoot. As a beginner, you will probably produce prettier welds sooner on a MIG as opposed to a TIG. They're just that simple to use. I also bought a Millermatic, and I am in love with it. In addition to using CO2/Argon (don't use flux core), I also use anti-splatter spray. Instead of buying a TIG, use the same money for your MIG and a torch (you'll need it). If you want to see what a relative beginner can create, using a MIG, look up my "Dancer." The whole thing was made by building up MIG weld beads on a 1/4" rod armature.

Good luck and welcome!

J.R.

i've got the millermatic 135 and i like it the best of everything i've used. it runs on 110 and i use flux core wire, so it's very portable. i think mig is just the better all around welder for those of us putzing around with it whereas tig is for the production welder.

i teach high school kids a bit of artistic welding and this is the machine i use. the comment that keeps popping up over and over.... "it's like a glue gun"

Reading through the comments from everyone on the mig vs tig question shows the depth of knowledge in this group. I have mig and o/a in my shop and use tig at the local college. For most of my pieces, I use mig because I don't have to clamp pieces in place to weld them. I use o/a mostly for heating and cutting and am considering getting a Henrob to attach to it for fine work and copper. Lin