Stick Welding Vs Mig

Well mig welding was originally designed to provide less penetration which works best on metals like sheet while conversely stick welding features way more deep penetration than that of mig welding and tend to work perfectly on metals that are way thicker in size and width.

Stick welding vs mig.

Hence there s no need for an external source of gas. The downfall with stick welders is welding thin metal. Generally mig is easier to learn compared to stick welding. In stick welding the arc vaporizes the flux covering which in turn produces self shielding gas.

While mig welding can produce optimum results with thin metals stick welding can be used for welding thicker metals. Mig welding requires an external supply of inert gas to protect the molten metal from atmospheric contamination. Mig is useful but very costly. For vertical uphill welding mig will penetrate just as well as stick if it is set hot enough and the wire stickout is kept short.

Another comparing factor is the use of dc power. The larger spools of mig wire can last a long time. Tig welding has a technique that is an art form on its own. Since you don t have to replace your electrode as often you can lay down bead after bead without having to worry.

However this is not to say stick welding is difficult. For speed it s really a toss up between mig and stick. Stick welding produces lots of slag and this can be troublesome for trying to fabricate and save time. To join similar material mig welding is used.

Stick welding is comparatively less effective but it is cheap. Conventional a c stick welders tend to burn through when welding metals thinner than 1 8 while mig welders can weld metal as thin as 24. Mig is also a faster process than stick welding. On the other hand arc welding is used to merge different material.

However the proper technique correct settings the type electrode wire used along with your experience and skill can even things out with mig welding and stick welding. But that s the thing with stick welding there is a built in safety net in that you have to set the machine at least hot enough to keep the rod lit.