Doesn't anybody use arc welding any more?

[Enoch]

Just curious really. I always use arc on anything 1.5mm and over cos I think it gives better penetration and therefore more strength than mig. What are your thoughts?

[gingea1pom]

Don’t do it.

I do believe this can of worms has been opened before.

[HandyAndy]

Originally Posted by gingea1pom

Don’t do it.

I do believe this can of worms has been opened before.

Enoch....
has been discussed a few times & has created some "interesting" points of view
you can of course do the arc welding if thats what you prefer etc but most go for mig welding.

sits back & awaits responses

andy

[londonsean69]

TBH the penetration on both MIG and MMA is the same up to about 5mm (with the right kit). IMO of course. And certainly, for the majority of the chassis and plates (1.6mm and 3mm) I very much doubt there would be much to choose between them. I do stand to be corrected though.

It is easy to have a MIG weld that looks nice, but has no pen.

MIG is easier for people to learn.

Stick can be a bit 'fierce' for thinner stuff, although, it is possible in the right hands, with a decent MMA kit.

A cheap MMA kit can be had for a lot less than a MIG.

No gas rental with MMA

Horses for courses, but, on thin stuff like we use for 95% of the chassis and plates, MIG would be my first choice everytime.

I never really got on with stick in the past, and treated myself to a nice MIG, so that is what I use.
I am looking at a nice MMA set (possibly a Lorch), but TBH I don't really have a use for one, so it would just gather dust.

Both processes have their place, as does TIG (I want one of those too, but it's only to do the tank ) but I have almost always regarded MMA as a more 'industrial' process, structural steelwork, beefy gates, outdoor work.
Although, on a visit to a steel fabricators for work, they were MIG'ing everything upto about 20mm thick, just doing multipass.
I asked why, their answer;
Faster and cheaper

[Talonmotorsport]

Has any body seen series on discovery about 'mega factories' I remember the Catepillar plant where they cast the chassis in solid steel 24 inches plus thick in 4-6 bits then MIG the whole thing together with 9-10 inch weld preps bet that fella's not using 0.6 wire

[les g]

large rum and coke and xl popcorn please
let the debate begin
again
cheers les g

[HandyAndy]

Originally Posted by les g

large rum and coke and xl popcorn please
let the debate begin
again
cheers les g

just made a large coffee

cheers
andy

[Talonmotorsport]

TBH it does'nt matter what you use to weld the chassis together with as long as it ends up being strong, within a few mm of it's intended design and straight. Besides if you end up making a complete hash of it ( a few from here have, don't worry lads your secret is safe with me ) you can always buy one pre welded shamefull plug over......

[ACE HIGH]

Enoch,look up recent(last 2/3 months) discussions on this one.
If you are already a competent arc welder then arc welding is in my view the best and cheapest way to go.
Regarding Caterpillar tractors,I am a little out of date these days but there are at least 4 different MIG welding systems and they probably use "globular transfer" which is NOT the same as your ordinary MIG home system.
I used it over 40 years ago and thick plates melt like butter.but go back and look up past discussions on this,lots of good info and a few good laughs as well!!! David

[Bonzo]

Originally Posted by Talonmotorsport

Has any body seen series on discovery about 'mega factories' I remember the Catepillar plant where they cast the chassis in solid steel 24 inches plus thick in 4-6 bits then MIG the whole thing together with 9-10 inch weld preps bet that fella's not using 0.6 wire

He wouldn't be using .6mm wire..........But then, he ain't welding 1.6mm tube is he !!??

Honestly Tallon you can be a complet knob at times