On 26.11.2012 05:51, Jan Andersson wrote:
>>>>ChrisKlinger wrote:
>>>>
>>>> What is best for replacing body panles?
>
> Since you have to ask.... I'd say MIG
>
> I would say definitely MIG, it's cheaper and easier to learn, I think.
> Then again I haven't owned a TIG yet, I see it as the tool of choice for
> aluminum work, where MIG would fall flat on it's face even with a spool
> gun, in comparison.

This said, having never welded any body panels using any method. My
welding experience is mostly welding 0.5 mm thick square pipes together
to form different kinds of household objects (to mount car tyres to
wall, store fire wood etc.). I have welded using both MIG and TIG.
Some of this might also sound obvious, but decided to write it anyway.

I would go MIG for that kind of work. A lot easier to tag pieces to
their assumed places first. A lot easier to weld in hard to access
places where you necessarily cannot see everything. Lot easier to weld
in short lenghts here and there to let things cool down and minimize
bending the objects.

You can make nicer weld with TIG and for example for pipe welding TIG
should be the tool. MIG weld usually needs more grinding and polishing,
if the object needs to look nice.

MIG is not handy, if you have different materials to weld. With TIG you
basically just change the filler material stick and you can weld
different stuff (aluminium, steel, stainless steel, ...). With MIG you
have to pull out the old wire, feed ahother reel and if I recall right,
the gas is also different for example for steel and stainless steel.
With TIG you can also weld without filler, just melt the two objects
together.

Someone with more skill with TIG might say, all can be done using it,
but in my experience, I would start with MIG.

MIG or TIG, I think most important is to practise, have a test piece of
similar material and thickness. Test and adjust the current and wire
feed (MIG) before starting the actual work.

My thoughts of it.

---
Olli