There’s something special about taking matters into your own hands, repairing and buildings things, knowing you work on your DIY skills along the way. While you’ve probably had your share of tasks that demanded the use of hammers, levels, wrenches, or saws, you might not have been that in touch with connecting metals, but decided to take your DIY skills up a level by turning to welding. As a rookie, you might not know where to begin because of the many options there are, which is why it’s advisable to find out something more about the different types of welding to help you make your mind.

Mig welding requires the use of a mig welding machine, and is the process that relies on the use of an electrode, a wire, that melts when there’s electrical current between it and the base, and that’s when the wire joins the base, creating a seamless unison with no need for cleaning; this is what makes mig welding the easy clean welding variant, used for the connection of both thick and thin metal plates. This sort of welding is used for the creation of welds mainly with stainless steel, steel, and aluminium, and is the perfect starting point for beginners, providing good control in the process. It’s suitable for various home repair applications, and auto body.

Then there’s tig welding – the welding using a tungsten electrode. What’s specific about this welding, along with the specific electrode, is the use of a shielding gas that protects the weld from atmospheric influence. The arc conducts the power through ionised gas. Unlike mig, tig welding is mostly used for thin plates of metals such as stainless steel, and alloy steel, as well as copper alloys, and titanium. Though this process provides an even greater control than mig, it’s more complex to master and takes up more time. Tig welding is ideal for home repair also, sheet metal, metal art, and chassis. If you want to make the most of your machine purchase, however, and try out your skills over time, buy mig welding machine that doubles as tig welder also.

And lastly, stick welding. This is the type of welding that relies on the process of current transmission through a gap in between the welding stick and a metal. This is the older welding version and is the preferred one when it comes to working with rusty metals, but bear in mind the weld result requires some cleaning. It’s not exactly a rookie’s starting point because it’s more difficult than mastering mig welding, but as soon as you feel sure of your skills, you can start learning this welding as it’s suitable for maintenance and repairs around home. And you needn’t be reminded on the use of proper protective clothing and equipment whenever handling welds, no matter the welding type you opt for.