Stick vs MIG Welding

[Saltier]

I am an old stick welder but am considering purchasing a MIG machine. Looking for PROS and CONS on the subject. Is the difference really worth it? Which costs more/less to operate and etc...

[ajfoxy]

Mig is really nice in the fact that you have a really long electrode, the whole roll in fact. Mig with gas gives a clean bead with minimal splatter if set up right. However, you can only weld in minimal windy conditions to avoid blowing away the shielding gas. Unless you use flux core then you are back to splatter and having to chip the slag off. In my opinion (which does not count for much) for thinner materials Mig is better. For thicker materials stick is better UNLESS you have a huge ass high amp Mig costing mega $$$. For inside work, Mig is nicer... nicer bead, less splatter, less fumes and easier cleanup. Just my 2c worth

[Big T]

Also, MIG does not like rusty metal so you have to make sure that your joints are clean.

[k.a.m.]

I believe every shop should have as many options as a person can afford whether it be for welding or cutting. That being said I do prefer stick over wire but that is what I have always used and have found just short of aluminium welding I am pretty well set. If I ever happened on a sweet deal for a little wire feed I would jump on it just to have.

[Dirtytires]

I’m pretty spoiled and hardly ever weld outside. All my projects come to the shop so I can eliminate wind and climate issues associated with outside work. Just for the rare project/quick fix I keep a roll of flux core and a bottle of straight co2. With that said, I’ve got no reason to invest in a stick machine.

If outdoor work is in your future the usefulness of stick is worth investigating.

[JKalchik]

If outdoor work is in your future the usefulness of stick is worth investigating.

Or working on old rusty steel.... yes, I grew up on a farm.

[DMaxx]

I like mig welding the best . I got certified in all the process's but I like mig the best because it a faster process. Been looking forward to using my new Lincoln 260. My ole millermatic 200 took a dump on me. the miller is good for some (maybe) hard to find parts off of it. the transformer took a dump. I have the original gun for it and a 200amp gun available if someone is looking for parts.

[tinspark]

Both definitely have their place in my opinion. When I need to do a quick weld on the fence on the corner of the lot, or anywhere outside, I grab my stick welder because they are very portable. with almost no setup time. So in that sense it is my favorite welder for applications like this.
However for shop purposes, a mig (GMAW) welder is better for production, and when set up correctly can perform strength-wise as well as a stick welder. Plus there is not as much smoke to deal with indoors.
I purchased a Miller 211 a bit ago, with an incentive from Miller of either a free cart or a free spool gun with my purchase. I took the spool gun. I was amazed how well it works on aluminum! (220v). They are rated at 3/8" plate on mild steel, and the new inverter models weigh less than 20 lbs. To me the money was well spent.
regards,
Tinspark