What are the differences between MIG welding and TIG welding?

MIG (Metal Inert Gas) welding and TIG (Tungsten Inert Gas) welding are two different types of welding processes that use different methods to join metals together. Here are some of the key differences between MIG welding and TIG welding:

1. Welding Technique: MIG welding uses a consumable wire electrode that is fed through a welding gun, whereas TIG welding uses a non-consumable tungsten electrode that requires the welder to manually feed the filler material into the weld puddle.
2. Welding Speed: MIG welding is generally faster than TIG welding due to its continuous wire feed, which allows for high deposition rates, whereas TIG welding is generally slower due to the manual feeding of filler material.
3. Welding Quality: TIG welding is considered to produce higher quality welds due to its precise control over the heat input and the filler material, resulting in clean, precise welds with minimal distortion and high strength. MIG welding can produce high-quality welds, but may require more post-weld finishing.
4. Welding Applications: MIG welding is commonly used in the automotive and manufacturing industries, as well as for DIY projects, due to its speed and versatility for welding a wide range of metals. TIG welding is commonly used in industries that require high-quality welds, such as aerospace, defense, and nuclear industries.
5. Skill Level: MIG welding is generally considered to be easier to learn and requires less skill than TIG welding, which requires a high level of skill and experience to produce high-quality welds.

Overall, both MIG welding and TIG welding have their own advantages and disadvantages, and the choice of welding process depends on the specific application and the welding requirements.