The humans invented the first gas welding torch to locally melt metal with focused heat. These torches made way for arc soldering, which gave even more intense heat. The TIG welder is one of the most versatile welding machines that can pinpoint heat even more, which allows for smaller, precision welds. Another popular type of soldering machine used today is the MIG welder.
Arc welding
Industries use Arc welding or stick welding in a number of applications which includes construction and repair work. This type uses a welding power supply with either direct or alternating current to create an electric arc between an electrode and the base material to melt metals at the fusing point. It’s covered with flux to protect the weld area from oxidation and contamination. There are two types of arc welders which include air or oil cooled AC welders or DC welders that use an air cooling system. Arc welding is only limited to soldering ferrous metals.
MIG welding
MIG or metal inert gas soldering is a semi-automatic or automatic arc welding process that is also known as gas metal arc welding (GMAW). The process features a continuous and consumable wire electrode and shielding gas, fed through a MIG torch or the CO2 fusing gun. A direct current power source is usually used with a MIG welder, although alternating current is the second choice. One of the benefits of these soldering machines is that the voltage, amperage and the speed is adjustable. These machines also feature a variety tension and valve to control the flow of gas. A MIG welder used without shielding gas in a process is known as flux core arc welding. In this process the welding wire has a core filled with flux and has a hotter arc capable of welding thicker pieces of metal. A MIG welder used to weld copper, zinc, brass, steel, tin and aluminum. These machines are versatile and easy to learn, and is the ideal choice if you want to work on a variety of metals by purchasing only one welder.
TIG Welding
TIG soldering or tungsten inert gas soldering is a process that involves a non-consumable tungsten electrode which delivers current to the welding arc. Argon gas is commonly used as the shielding gas to protect the weld area from contamination. A TIG welder is typically used to weld thin sections of aluminum, magnesium, copper alloys, and stainless steel. One of the biggest advantages of the TIG welder over the MIG welder is that the operator has extensive control over the weld.