What is the most forgiving process in welding alum???

StephanusThie · Sat Feb 04, 2012 5:09 am

Guys would you tell me what is the most forgiving/easier process in welding aluminum, TIG or MIG? The answer should be based on your experience.
Thanks,
Steve.

rahtreelimbs · Sat Feb 04, 2012 10:56 am

Should material thickness be considered???

I am very very new to TIG...........but at work have used a spool gun off and on for 10 yrs. or so. Having said that for me a MIG with a spool gun was easier!

mensamann · Tue Feb 14, 2012 11:23 pm

Hi all.. Okay, this is just my opinion, of course. Now, I have owned an aluminum fabrication shop for many years, building aluminum boat lifts and docks. I use Miller equipment. I have a Millermatic 185 with a spool gun that I used for some years on all sorts of aluminum applications. It works pretty good. I built a lot of equipment with that rig and have never had a problem with the welds. I bought a Miller 350P. That, my friends, is the sh*t! Now, I also use a Miller Syncrowave 200 TIG on certain applications. The TIG is slower, of course, but gives a prettier weld. The 350P is fast and my grandmother could learn to weld aluminum in about 15 minutes with that machine. It is a true production welder with all the bells and whistles you could ask for. So.. depending on what the application is, MIG is gonna be faster, TIG is usually prettier.. and if you are gonna weld A LOT of aluminum.. get that 350P...