Mig or Tig ?

[aquickv6]

Waht did you use for the frame notch midification, Mig or Tig? Either would be okay for the 1/4" steel addition in the cut section. What did you use to weld the roll bar to the frame, same?

 

[Jerryl]

Waht did you use for the frame notch midification, Mig or Tig? Either would be okay for the 1/4" steel addition in the cut section. What did you use to weld the roll bar to the frame, same?

Not trying to insult your intelligence but my vote is for MIG! (with shield gas)
Much easier to get a good weld and faster. :biggrin:

TIG is great for real thin metal in areas where aesthetics will be an issue.
The skill level for TIG is quite a bit higher than MIG.

 

[CTX-SLPR]

Depends on what you have or have access to. A TIG can give cleaner and stronger results but the skill required for it is higher and therefore shops charge more. MIG is good for non sealing applications and is easier and quicker to use so shops charge less. Both should work on this application if done right. Me... I'd go TIG if I had a buddy with one or could do it myself, otherwise I'd have a shop MIG it or do it myself.

 

[87we410877]

Deffinately go with the TIG if $ is no object. It takes alot of skill for thin 16 guage aluminum but 1/4 inch steel should be alot easier. Find someone who is good at it and you wont regret it. TIG is alot cleaner and stronger. As said above, both will work but ide rather not have another thing to worry about breaking. good luck hope this helps.

 

[VadersV6]

Just get the better welder and let your skills catch up.
Tig makes some awesome welds.

 

[Blown&Injected]

Flux Core actually has deeper penetration with wire feed MIG style welding.

A proper MIG weld will seal; consider the certification test.

TIG can be less effective considering the access to the part. In confined, tight areas, it can be impossible to get the TIG torch where it needs to be - not to mention the filler rod.

I would recommend MIG for this type of modification. I would also say the quality of the work will be more dependent on the cleanliness and fit of the work way more than the type of process used.

 

[Jerryl]

A proper MIG weld will seal; consider the certification test.
TIG can be less effective considering the access to the part. In confined, tight areas, it can be impossible to get the TIG torch where it needs to be - not to mention the filler rod.

I would recommend MIG for this type of modification. I would also say the quality of the work will be more dependent on the cleanliness and fit of the work way more than the type of process used.

Agree.
Guess that is some of my thought process in recommending MIG.

Anyway. either one will work fine, but in a confined space, you will be using TIG. If someone else has the TIG equipment and does the weld for free or at a flat rate, go for it. If you pay by the hour, go MIG. Make sure the parts are clean for each type of weld but you need a pretty good fit between mating parts for TIG.

FWIW and in agreement with Blown&Injected
I work in the oil filed related industry and we are able to make X-ray quality welds with MIG and, No, they don't leak. TIG is used for smaller accurately positioned parts as it is "S L O W".

 

[VadersV6]

I used to do alot of custom intake work for the 99-01 cobra guys, and in the process, I developed an intake that pulled off some amazing numbers. I beat the best in the business by a long shot. 60rwhp@ redline (N/A!) and lost only about 3 lb.ft. of torque. Most said it was impossible to shorten runners and still preserve bottom end cause with resonant tuning, its always a trade off between top end and bottom end. But given some tricks I did, I was able to pull it off after about 6 tries...anyway, I used to have this guy around the corner do all the welding, and he used Tig. The welds were amazing and totally leak free. I think his name was Leon Shaver in Anaheim. He goes way back in the hot rodding world. I ended up sending him some work for some projects we were doing, and my boss was really impressed. He could flow a bead like no man's business, and swore by Tig....Ive seen some decent Mig work, but they always seemed like really pourous welds. I would grind into the weld and there were alot of small air pockets, and alot of slag and flux leftover. It was probably the guy doing the welding though.

 

[Tom Walker]

Tig

If the technician is good at what he does, then both types of welding are great. Knowing this, when I was working at Allison Gas Turbine (before the sale) everything was TIG welded for the gas turbine engines. Strength was never questioned. These engines turn RPMs at Temps you wouldn't believe. All sizes of welds in all types of places. Unbelieveable strength. Also costs much more to have done. So, best of luck, however you choose.

 

[EightSecV6]

If you use chromoly for the rollbar, you MUST use a TIG welder it order for it to certify. Definately use a MIG on the frame notch, it will be much easier to fill any gaps and cleanliness is not as crucial.

 

[BIG HEAD CHRIS]

tig schmig

It would be a total waste of time to tig a rail notch.Mig is perfectly adequite for the job.As for guys seeing mig welds which are full of porrosity and air pockets,thats operator error wether it be related to machine setup or technique.On occasion I've gotten a tank of bad gas,and that can ruin your whole day.Flux core welding sucks.I've Mig welded several cages(mild steel)with good results.The beads will almost certanly always be bigger than with Tig,but that doesn't mean they have to be ugly!Don't use Chromoly Tig rod while welding Chromoly tubing(unless you like grinding welds out).

 

[ITSAV6]

mig

Mig will be more than adequate. Every race car trailer from Haulmark and Pace have frames welded with a mig. Considering some of the loads they haul..... I know as I worked at Haulmark,just around the corner from Pace.

 

[Ormand]

If the technician is good at what he does, then both types of welding are great

Tom is correct. If you have a welder who is good with TIG, and can access the weld, that will work fine. But if the welder is more comfortable, and better qualified, with MIG, then use MIG. Either process will work with mild steel, alloy steel, or stainless. It's just a matter of using the right materials, and the right procedure. But either MIG or TIG can be qualified to produce "X-ray" quality welds.

 

[GNsnake]

Mig or Tig

Hey aquickv6, use the Mig process for your frame and definitely the Tig process for the roll bar. Process choice, Clean weld surface and good fit up are crucial, but the most important factor is skill level of the person doing the welding. A skilled welder can take care of any fit up issues and will know how to prep the work the right way to complete a good job. Both processes are good. Each one is easily capable of x-ray quality welds if done by a skilled welder. They both work great for specific applications. Find yourself a good welder and stick with him if you cannot do it yourself. 19 years in the welding trade, I'll be glad to help if I can. Any questions PM me.


Chris