The Complexity of the Weld Depends on the Complexity of the Job

By Robert Lankford

Choosing between a tig welder and spot welder depends upon the type of job required. When the work is more detailed and requires a stronger, higher quality weld, a tig welder is the best choice. But while it creates a stronger segued weld, tig welding requires considerable skill to do correctly. For welds where strength is not as crucial, a spot welder may be more ideal because it's simpler and more cost effective.

Spot welding is simple enough to be automated, and it's more consistent and efficient as well. But the process can weaken the weld, so it should only be used for less precise jobs. For complex welds, use a tig welder, and spot welder when strength isn't the primary concern.

Using electrodes to create heat and high pressure to melt the weld, spot welding concentrates on a small spot. Its advantage is speed, as the weld can quickly be performed in a split second, making it easily repeatable.

Spot welding is ideal for sheet metal, and doesn't work well on thick metal. While it produces an adequate weld quickly and simply and can be done automatically with robotics, a spot weld tends to harden the metal and cause it to wrap, weakening its strength.

Tig welding is more complicated as the material must be kept absolutely clean and free of contaminants. It uses a shielding gas to protect against contaminants, as dirt and oil can weaken the quality of the weld.

Because it uses such a short arc, Tig welding is one of the hardest welds to do in the welding industry. Keeping the electrode and work piece from touching takes an experienced hand, and takes more time and care to be done correctly.

But when performed correctly, tig welding wields some of the strongest bonds possible. Because an unlimited amount of material can be applied to the weld in complex configurations, the weld can be as strong as whatever's necessary.

But whether you require tig welding or spot welding, you need portable equipment. Many jobs are just too big to haul to the shop. It's just easier to be able to weld on the move. Newer welding models are lighter and easily transportable, so you can always be on the go. Most job sites will require a variety of welds, stronger or basic, so having both spot welding and tig welding is essential. With the newer, lighter models, you can take everything you need with you, which is good news for work that simply doesn't fit in the shop. - 21392

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Want to learn more about how to become a welder but don't know what a mig welder or tig welders are, here are a couple places the author says can teach you everything you need to know.