Hacker News Reader

Welders: How does MIG compare to plain old Arc Welding? With 6013 arc welding electrodes, its possible to do sheet metal work too. Plus, no need to maintain a gas cylinder at hand.

View on HN

It might be possible to do sheet metal with 6013 (and I've tried it) but it's so miserable I wouldn't wish it on my worse enemy. The thick slag that forms makes it impossible to see the puddle. MIG is significantly faster, easier, and requires less cleanup with a grinder for thin metal.

For thicker stuff, I've always liked 6011, but MIG is still a little faster and easier. I know for large scale industrial use (IE ship building) flux core wire feed with a shielding gas is faster that stick, simply because the welder doesn't have to stop and get a fresh electrode.

I'm not gonna say stick is inferior, it's not. Just everyone's got a preference and for me it's tough to beat the convenience and ease of a MIG machine.

I am way too worried about gas cylinder accidents. Otherwise, I agree with you that MIG really is the most versatile.

Thanks a lot for sharing the immaturity of flux coated gasless MIG wires.

Reply on news.ycombinator.com