TIG Welding is a process that is used for the purpose of welding aluminium, titanium, copper, etc., and even two metals which are not similar. It is ideal for handling tricky welds such as S-Shapes, corners, curves, or where the weld will be obvious and finish and accuracy are of the utmost importance for the final look. Simply put, a greater variety of metals can be welded with this process and with the use of a TIG welding machine than with other forms of welding.
Now let’s talk a bit history. TIG stands for Tungsten Inert Gas and it is called Gas Tungsten Arc Welding or GTAW. For this process a non-consumable tungsten electrode is used which delivers the current to the welding arc. The tungsten and weld puddle are protected and cooled with an inert gas, usually with argon. The process of TIG welding is very similar to the one of oxy-acetylene welding due to the fact that a filler material for reinforcement or build-up is used.
The TIG welding machine works with the heat that it produces as a result of the arc of electricity that goes from the electrode, more specifically tungsten metal, to the metal that you need to weld. The abbreviation TIG stands for Tungsten Inert Gas, and as you might have guessed, it comes from the electrode and the inert gas that surrounds it. TIG is suitable for several metals, such as aluminium, steel, titanium, copper, and is perfect for more demanding welds, like curves. But besides looking for affordable deals of TIG welding machines, it is important that you consider other aspects as well before making the purchase.
One very important thing to decide upfront is whether to buy a stationary or a portable welder. Of course, this should be based mainly on your needs. If you have a power source that you can move around the space, then you can opt for portable welders as these are also very lightweight. Furthermore, if you get one of the welders that is a blend of both TIG and MIG, you will not need to worry about the metal thickness. TIG is suitable for thinner metals, whereas MIG offers a faster welding of thicker material. Having in mind this, you will be able to decide which one is more appropriate to use in a certain situation based on the material you have to weld. The material is also connected with the type of power you require: aluminium welding is mainly done on AC power, while other metals on DC.
