Pulsed MIG v. TIG

[PlasmaGuy]

I have a potential job that is a water tank,

The longest weld is 17" in length. Shortest weld is 7".
95" of weld length in total.

Material is 3003 AL .125" thick.

This tank will be hidden too. And possibly powder coated.

From A speed standpoint MIG will be much faster IMO. TIG will produce a better
looking weld.

My power sources are
Synchrowave 250
Invision 456 with Optima Pulser pendant

With this all said what process would you guys use?

Thanks guys.

Tom

[looking]

My personal opinion, pulse is for people that can't weld correctly and want to cheat in order to make it look good.

[cruizer]

My personal opinion, pulse is for people that can't weld correctly and want to cheat in order to make it look good.

Most tank shops have gone from low speed tig to high speed pulse. Identical welds, identical penetration, actually better with the pulse Mig. I'm quite certain the welders know how to weld procedure pulse.

[PlasmaGuy]

I am all about time. Looks are a factor but when the appearance is close to identical then pulse wins.

Thanks guys!

Tom

[jpence38]

My personal opinion, pulse is for people that can't weld correctly and want to cheat in order to make it look good.

As for that comment, when you think about it for a minute it makes absolutely no sense as pointed out previously.

Now for the question at hand. I fab hydraulic tanks out of the same material and the same thickness. The name of the game is obviously the right combination between speed and quality (looks). With the pulsed mig, when done properly, you can get that "stack of dimes look" and still double your speed over TIG. Pulsed MIG is definately the way to go. IMO

[PlasmaGuy]

Thanks Jim!

[Broccoli1]

My personal opinion, pulse is for people that can't weld correctly and want to cheat in order to make it look good.

Bunch of cheaters

http://www.millerwelds.com/resources...&submit=Search

[looking]

Bunch of cheaters

http://www.millerwelds.com/resources...&submit=Search

Just reading the first article from the link you shared. It clearly states the welders are lame and the company hires people who don't know how to control their heat and blow thru's I've several times welded .020 aluminum with not one issue. The idea behind this pulse welding is so that the employer can hire people that don't know much about welding thin metals and pay a low wage. The metal in that article was no thinner than .080. If one can't weld that crap and not have a blowout maybe they should look for a new career. Jmo

I was only stating my opinion not bashing the OP. Sorry to offend any of you guys that was not my intent.

[jpence38]

You just gotta laugh when you get a "Professional" welder on here that has to give his opinion on something he knows nothing about.

[gnforge]

Not sure I understand?
If u can't weld and can make ur weld look good with pulse then if u can weld u can make a weld look great.
But it's about Quality 1st. & foremost then speed, need to make profit or u wolnt be in business long. As for me I weld stick, O/A, mig, tig. Personally tig is my last choice just takes to long but sometimes it's the best or only choice.
Likewise pulse is not always the best choice but it has its qualities also, u get great penetration with less heat & distortion. Also it is very fast. If its hidden & painted my choice is pulse mig. Take ur girl out for dinner with extra profit.