Depending on the method for soldering, it could be quite similar to TIG, but as for stick and MIG, not so much.
TIG has one hand using a "torch" that arcs off the material you're welding while the other hand manually dabs in a filler metal. Highly lucrative method due to the materials it can weld, but expensive and slow when compared to MIG and stick.
MIG uses a automated wire feed mechanism (think a spool of wire that has a motor hooked onto it) that runs out a MIG gun with a trigger on it. You point and shoot out the wire which is the easiest approach to welding a lot of metal in a short timeframe. However, MIG machines have more moving parts abd thus more potential to break, and are essentially limited to steel and Aluminum, and you'll be cussing the whole way through the aluminum.
Stick is kinda a happy medium IMO between TIG and MIG, where you have a filler rod like the TIG wire, but coated in a Flux that cooks off impurities on the metal you're welding. Kinda looks like a 4th of july sparkler, except you dont wanna look at the pretty colors without a hood. Some flavor of sticks are designed to cut right through paint coatings on metal, but 99% of the time best practice is to still grind off the mill scale/paint so it's a moot point. Regardless, stick can be done outside since you dont need shielding gas, and it can weld most any material you'll typically run across (aluminum too, but again, lots of cussing the fucking aluminum, because it's fucking aluminum). Stick makes a very hot weld, and it leaves behind a capping slag you have to chip off, so it's difficult to do right on thin material.
Also, fuck Aluminum, it's stupid and I hate welding it outside of a TIG rig.
Aluminum is the spirit of a modern woman in metal form. Aluminum oxidizes almost instantly at contact, and the oxidation layer requires something like 4 times the heat to break through, but the pure aluminum beneath will burn right out from underneath that kind of heat. This is why a lot of Aluminum welding is done in AC and not DC, AC helps to maintain a break in the oxidation layer to actually weld the base metals and filler metal together.
Add to that, aluminum does not like a proper weld puddle like you would see with steel flavors. Steel will have a bright, clearly defined drop of liquid metal that you can easily define and work. Aluminum likes to identify as a hazy area, not too dissimilar to how lava develops a darker skin overtop the glowing red liquid underneath. That skin is the aluminum that has oxidized even while you're welding it (i wasnt kidding about instantaneous oxidation).
On top of that, aluminum really likes to have the filler metal bulge out over the flush surfaces, which absolutely loves to make contact with your torch and clog a contact tip, or Tungsten Tip in the case of TIG, or to stick your Stick Electrode (the Forbidden Sparkler) which stops the arcing process necessary for welding.
In otherwords, Aluminum is clingy when you dont want her to be, expensive when she fucks you over, indecisive and never tells you what she really wants, and if you arent careful, you'll end up with a gaping hole like a Pornhub Special.
Absolutely, and of course you gotta cook the absolute shit out of it because it's a fantastic heat sink, and it has no visible indications of the heat coming off the material, so you grab a piece of Al bare handed and it's keeping the first few layers of skin as a snack.
Welding has many different characteristics and welding types compared to soldering. Things change based on materials, thicknesses, and type of welding. Soldering is kind of like gluing two pieces together. Welding is merging them to one.
Get a small mig with flux core wire and you can save some money on the tank to get started. I weld outside mostly so I don't bother with shielding gas. Used Hobart handler 140 was my first welder. Something about fusing your material together that is just fucking awesome.
Great Trade to know. Takes years without proper teaching starting out. Son and grandson do $4k+ a week plus $400 a day and all expenses. Grandson will be a Master fitter before age 25 just like his dad.
[ + ] lord_nougat
[ - ] lord_nougat 18 points 1.7 yearsAug 28, 2023 16:23:24 ago (+18/-0)
[ + ] Centaurus
[ - ] Centaurus [op] 4 points 1.7 yearsAug 28, 2023 16:40:18 ago (+4/-0)
[ + ] I_am_baal
[ - ] I_am_baal 7 points 1.7 yearsAug 28, 2023 16:44:52 ago (+7/-0)
[ + ] PotatoWhisperer2
[ - ] PotatoWhisperer2 2 points 1.7 yearsAug 28, 2023 19:18:17 ago (+2/-0)
[ + ] Clueless_Enigma
[ - ] Clueless_Enigma 6 points 1.7 yearsAug 28, 2023 20:55:17 ago (+6/-0)
TIG has one hand using a "torch" that arcs off the material you're welding while the other hand manually dabs in a filler metal. Highly lucrative method due to the materials it can weld, but expensive and slow when compared to MIG and stick.
MIG uses a automated wire feed mechanism (think a spool of wire that has a motor hooked onto it) that runs out a MIG gun with a trigger on it. You point and shoot out the wire which is the easiest approach to welding a lot of metal in a short timeframe. However, MIG machines have more moving parts abd thus more potential to break, and are essentially limited to steel and Aluminum, and you'll be cussing the whole way through the aluminum.
Stick is kinda a happy medium IMO between TIG and MIG, where you have a filler rod like the TIG wire, but coated in a Flux that cooks off impurities on the metal you're welding. Kinda looks like a 4th of july sparkler, except you dont wanna look at the pretty colors without a hood. Some flavor of sticks are designed to cut right through paint coatings on metal, but 99% of the time best practice is to still grind off the mill scale/paint so it's a moot point. Regardless, stick can be done outside since you dont need shielding gas, and it can weld most any material you'll typically run across (aluminum too, but again, lots of cussing the fucking aluminum, because it's fucking aluminum). Stick makes a very hot weld, and it leaves behind a capping slag you have to chip off, so it's difficult to do right on thin material.
Also, fuck Aluminum, it's stupid and I hate welding it outside of a TIG rig.
[ + ] bobdole9
[ - ] bobdole9 3 points 1.7 yearsAug 28, 2023 21:51:09 ago (+3/-0)
[ + ] Clueless_Enigma
[ - ] Clueless_Enigma 4 points 1.7 yearsAug 29, 2023 03:46:49 ago (+4/-0)
Add to that, aluminum does not like a proper weld puddle like you would see with steel flavors. Steel will have a bright, clearly defined drop of liquid metal that you can easily define and work. Aluminum likes to identify as a hazy area, not too dissimilar to how lava develops a darker skin overtop the glowing red liquid underneath. That skin is the aluminum that has oxidized even while you're welding it (i wasnt kidding about instantaneous oxidation).
On top of that, aluminum really likes to have the filler metal bulge out over the flush surfaces, which absolutely loves to make contact with your torch and clog a contact tip, or Tungsten Tip in the case of TIG, or to stick your Stick Electrode (the Forbidden Sparkler) which stops the arcing process necessary for welding.
In otherwords, Aluminum is clingy when you dont want her to be, expensive when she fucks you over, indecisive and never tells you what she really wants, and if you arent careful, you'll end up with a gaping hole like a Pornhub Special.
[ + ] JudyStroyer
[ - ] JudyStroyer 1 point 1.7 yearsAug 29, 2023 08:44:27 ago (+1/-0)
[ + ] Clueless_Enigma
[ - ] Clueless_Enigma 2 points 1.7 yearsAug 29, 2023 09:07:21 ago (+2/-0)
Did I mention that I hate aluminum?
[ + ] CasualObserver
[ - ] CasualObserver 0 points 1.7 yearsSep 3, 2023 23:01:13 ago (+0/-0)
[ + ] I_am_baal
[ - ] I_am_baal 3 points 1.7 yearsAug 28, 2023 23:47:03 ago (+3/-0)
[ + ] Inward
[ - ] Inward 4 points 1.7 yearsAug 28, 2023 20:50:15 ago (+4/-0)*
[ + ] Clueless_Enigma
[ - ] Clueless_Enigma 2 points 1.7 yearsAug 28, 2023 20:57:10 ago (+2/-0)
[ + ] CasualObserver
[ - ] CasualObserver 2 points 1.7 yearsAug 28, 2023 21:31:48 ago (+2/-0)
Used Hobart handler 140 was my first welder.
Something about fusing your material together that is just fucking awesome.
[ + ] kammmmak
[ - ] kammmmak 3 points 1.7 yearsAug 28, 2023 16:58:00 ago (+3/-0)
[ + ] killallkikes
[ - ] killallkikes 8 points 1.7 yearsAug 28, 2023 17:04:14 ago (+8/-0)
[ + ] Centaurus
[ - ] Centaurus [op] 0 points 1.7 yearsAug 28, 2023 19:03:45 ago (+1/-1)
https://files.catbox.moe/zp7knu.jpg
[ + ] x0x7
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[ - ] CasualObserver 4 points 1.7 yearsAug 28, 2023 18:01:30 ago (+4/-0)
[ + ] KeepPoal4fags
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[ + ] CasualObserver
[ - ] CasualObserver 3 points 1.7 yearsAug 28, 2023 19:27:19 ago (+3/-0)
[ + ] KeepPoal4fags
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[ - ] Clubberlang 3 points 1.7 yearsAug 28, 2023 20:48:09 ago (+3/-0)
[ + ] texasblood
[ - ] texasblood 1 point 1.7 yearsAug 28, 2023 18:58:04 ago (+2/-1)
Takes years without proper teaching starting out.
Son and grandson do $4k+ a week plus $400 a day and all expenses.
Grandson will be a Master fitter before age 25 just like his dad.
[ + ] Prairie
[ - ] Prairie 3 points 1.7 yearsAug 28, 2023 20:06:56 ago (+3/-0)
[ + ] Centaurus
[ - ] Centaurus [op] 4 points 1.7 yearsAug 28, 2023 20:45:49 ago (+4/-0)
~P.T. Barnum