If you are considering purchasing welding equipment, then it is important that you choose a welding kit which is right for your needs. TIG welding kits are a popular choice, but are they always best? TIG welding is commonly thought to provide the best welds, but there are plenty of times when MIG welding or some other type of welding such as stick welding might be able to complete the job faster or to a higher level of precision. Think about the types of metal that you will be welding, the thickness of the metal, the size of the job and the speed with which the task must be completed. To find out whether TIG welding is the best choice for your situation, there are a few questions that you will need to answer.

How much precision do you need?

TIG welding is often preferred when working on welds which are going to be highly visible since it offers a better appearance than MIG welding, but this is not always the case. Before you go out to buy your TIG welding kit, it is worth checking your specifications. In many cases, MIG joints are perfectly acceptable and could be a better choice if the circumstances are right. Some industries will request that the first weld on a pipe be completed with a TIG welder while the others can be done with a MIG welder. It is always worth checking what is required.

How thick is your metal?

As a general rule, the thinner the metal being welded the more likely it is that a TIG welding kit is the right choice for the weld. With thinner metal, there is always a risk that stick or MIG welding could put too much heat on the metal, so TIG welding should be used. With thicker metals, usually those more than half of an inch thick, then MIG or stick welding will be able to complete the welding process much more quickly and would, therefore, be a more efficient choice.

AC or DC?

If you are working with magnesium or aluminium, then you will want to locate AC TIG welding kits. If you plan to mainly work with steel or stainless steel then a DC machine would be a more appropriate choice. If you want to work with a combination of metals then a combination machine would be a great investment. Try to think about not just any jobs you have on hand at the moment but what work you may want to undertake in the future, and purchase your welding gear accordingly.

For more information, contact a welding kit supplier.