Who still prefers "stick" welding?

[goodfellow]

I have a nice MIG and TIG machine, but for joining large hunks of metal I'm still reaching for my old stick machine. It's easy, cheap and just perfect for a quick repair with a minimum of preparation and setup.

 

[garfunkle24]

I have a nice MIG and TIG machine, but for joining large hunks of metal I'm still reaching for my old stick machine. It's easy, cheap and just perfect for a quick repair with a minimum of preparation and setup.

I never touch my stick welder unless I have to. The MIG is much more convenient to me. Generally only use the stick if I have weld outside in the wind etc. This way I don't have to mess with changing the MIG to flux core.

 

[KraftwerkMk1Jetta]

I've been welding some really thick pieces of metal lately, and the stick welder is what I go to. Sure it's dirty and messy and you have to chip the slag away, but it is convenient and will weld heavy pieces of metal my MIG wouldn't be able to touch.

 

[a390st]

This shouldn't even be up for debate. For the big stuff you drag out the arc welder and leave the fancy stuff at home.

 

[Merkava_4]

The flux core wire process is not (MIG) ... it's (FCAW).

To answer your question, my two favorite processes are (SMAW) with the 1/8 E7018 and (FCAW) with 7/64 NR311 flux core wire.

 

[CAT_serviceman927]

We use MIG at work. Our welders are all 300+ amps if I am not mistaken. I don't have to weld that often so I have never paid attention to the models. I know we have Miller and Lincoln. The only time I have ever seen the "stick" come out is when our welder is trying to remove a broken bolt down in a hole.

Edit: Looking around online, the Lincoln DC 400 mulit-function welder seen here is what our welder uses: http://www.mitchellmetalshop.com/dc400.JPG

The wire feed unit on that site is also the same as what is on the welders. Not sure about the Millers we have though.

 

[KustomZ]

I use the "stick" when I want a strong weld and save the mig for the lightweight jobs.

 

[trainer]

The old Lincoln Tombstone AC stick for the heavier stuff.

Oxy-acetylene for small jobs.

My kids took welding in highschool and they dont teach either process there anymore.

 

[bushhawg73]

I love a mig welder for thinner items. The stick welder for thicker metals. Both have there place in a garage. I would not want to give either up.

 

[Paladin]

Stick for 1/4" and thicker. MIG or flux-core for less thick. I'm too poor to have a TIG machine...

 

[bayou985]

Stick Welding is still the preferred method in the field for construction, U.A Pipefitters,Union Boilermakers.Union Ironworkers,all use smaw, along with agtaw.gtaw,fcaw,agw, Procedures are taught in test booths,to members by each Union with no cost to members....39yr member U.A

 

[paramudduck]

Stick is more simple in the middle of a field.

 

[kartracer55]

Tig is my stuff. Its challenging, and commands some respect when you tell people your half decent at it, not to mention how versatile it is.

Stick doesn't help me too much doing automotive/FSAE stuff, but I must admit, its what I began welding on.

Mig is like using a hot glue gun. I can do it, and its quick and easy, but in my mind, it doesn't bring the satisfaction that GTAW,SMAW or gas welding brings.

 

[Merkava_4]

Stick Welding is still the preferred method in the field for construction, U.A Pipefitters,Union Boilermakers.Union Ironworkers,all use smaw, along with agtaw.gtaw,fcaw,agw, Procedures are taught in test booths,to members by each Union with no cost to members....39yr member U.A

I enjoyed going to the Union Ironworker school more than I did going to the job site. I passed six cert tests, but they only let me keep papers to one of them.

 

[trackwelder]

I enjoy making money...FCAW makes the most, hot and fast. Stick is great for little jobs and will never go away, if giving the choice I will always spool up.

 

[bayou985]

I enjoyed going to the Union Ironworker school more than I did going to the job site. I passed six cert tests, but they only let me keep papers to one of them.

Ironworker School! ok that explains why Ya knew about 7018/lohy now get that belt back on....and spud a hole...Ya heard me ??

 

[nismomans13]

Stick Welding is still the preferred method in the field for construction, U.A Pipefitters,Union Boilermakers.Union Ironworkers,all use smaw, along with agtaw.gtaw,fcaw,agw, Procedures are taught in test booths,to members by each Union with no cost to members....39yr member U.A

pipefitter?


boilermaker here, local 154. The knowledge gained in those test booths is priceless.

 

[bayou985]

I enjoyed going to the Union Ironworker school more than I did going to the job site. I passed six cert tests, but they only let me keep papers to one of them.

pipefitter?


boilermaker here, local 154. The knowledge gained in those test booths is priceless.

Yer right Brother....both times

 

[toadjammer]

Merkava_4 Why they let you only keep one paper?

 

[a390st]

Ironworker School! ok that explains why Ya knew about 7018/lohy now get that belt back on....and spud a hole...Ya heard me ??

I didn't realize 7018 was uncommon. So long as it's kept dry it is by far one of my favorites.

 

[nismomans13]

Yer right Brother....both times

I remember walking into school for the first time and having no clue how to use a torch, I thought stick was dead and didn't know anything. Now is a whole different story. I catch myself poking fun at the new guys, and have to remind myself that I was there once. Welding is easy, ONCE you learn, and learning is the hard part.

 

[Kona Cruisers]

my problem is 90% of the welding I do is stainless anodized 316 or aquamet 22 tig is a MUST... gotta be perfect, Tuna Towers on 1/2 mil plus boats...

 

[jhn9840]

I'm old school. Learned with O/A and stick & still use a Jackson hood with a flip down visor. I own a Hobart Handler 187 & a Lincoln 225a.
Trying to compare the two processes is like apples to oranges though, if whatever your welding on is much over 1/4" thick it's time to break out the old stick welder.

jhn9840
John

 

[W-Cummins]

I like the full spray with .035 or .045 mig and I also really like dual shield 1/16" wire. The DS 1/16" will blow holes in 3/8" plate if your not care full. The flux either just pops off or curls up like 7024 rod.

William...

 

[nissan_crawler]

I usually mig. The mig on the farm went up to 275 amps, so rarely we had to use the stick welder.

I have a 175, so if it's bigger than 1/4", I usually do triple pass, or break out the o/a.

 

[79schaefer]

7018 is about all I use with my old Lincoln head stone. I have built many things there. I only have a 110 mig, so it is reserved for the small stuff.

Steve S.
To many to list.

 

[MarkH]

Just like there is the ratchet, wrench, etc that works best for the job the same thing goes for welders. Unless you go for a much more spendy MIG,TIG for thick metal it was easier and usually cheaper to stick the heavy stuff and MIG or TIG the lighter stuff.

 

[speed bump]

Generally I use a stick because I did a lot of my learning with an old school boilermaker and he said stick. I like 6013 AC which probably makes me seem somewhat weird but for some reason I do better with it than 6010/11 or 7018.

For production work its hard to beat FCAW: fewer starts and stops and you can lay down material faster. Most of the big equipment repair guys I see use this anymore in mining.

GMAW isn't bad for inside stuff and it leaves nice looking beads with minimul work and for thin stuff its generally what I try to use.

I want to learn TIG mostly for the heat control on future projects I plan on undertaking but for production work unless you need it its not very economical.

I spent a lot of time brazing together copper for refrigeration systems so when I move to an oxy-acetylene system that was a pretty easy move but other than for bigger stuff I'm not that big of a fan.

 

[bugdust]

I work for CAT as a Manufacturing Specialist (3D design (fixtures), tech manuals, process improvement, etc). I was also a welder for 15 years (nine yrs with CAT, two as a trainer). I've carried a few certs. over the years but it has been a while. I've welded some O/A, some TMAW (cast steel, steel & aluminum), GMAW (hard wire, metal-core, flux-core, spray transfer), SMAW and a little sub-arc. I am by no means an expert (far from it), just saying I have spent a little time under a hood. I know guys that have forgotten more than I'll ever know and can out weld me blindfolded.

I learned with a stick (1/8" 6011) and got my first certs with it. I used to be alright with a 7018 (used more than any other rod) and used a 7024 a few times. I've welded heavy equipment, logging trailers, drop-hammers, barges, trailers of all kinds...who knows what else. I use a Miller Bobcat on occasion still. Stick welding has it's place...in the field. There is no substitute out in the field. Period.

But, I'd prefer a mig any other time, any thickness. All this "stick for the thick stuff" is odd to me. I've welded 4" (101.6mm) plate with 1/16" metal-core wire numerous times. Now, that's not full-thickness penetration obviously. But, put a chamfer (bevel) on there and you're good to go. I used to run 1" (25mm) fillet welds to joind 2" thick cutting edges to corner bits on buckets. It's a 7-pass weld but it's also at a very high stress area. Oh, this at on top of a 1" groove weld. These were done with .052 solid wire then. Now, our plant uses 1/16" metal core. For this wire, I'd run about 275-320 ipm, 310-340 amps and 32 volts. The machine - Lincoln Idealarc DC-600 with LN-7 wire feeder. We weld 2" thick plate with a variety of weld sizes with this combination daily. Look at any heavy manufacturing facility in the world...I'd bet few use stick other than shipyards.

I like TIG, too...although MIG is sooo much quicker and easier for most applications.

I'd say environment and application are the two biggest factors in process choice. I think most racing sanctioning bodies specify TIG for rollcages?

I use what I have available at the time. I have a Lincoln PowerMig 255c out in my little garage.

I voted MIG.

 

[bugdust]

Here's a pic of some sub-arc I've done. This particular application uses two rolls of 1/8" ER70s wire feeding at the same time... right about 900 amps!!

The root pass and the end caps (shown below) were welded with .052 by hand.

in process (arc barely visible below flux)

wide!!

120" long

 

[speed bump]

Here's a pic of some sub-arc I've done. This particular application uses two rolls of 1/8" ER70s wire feeding at the same time.

Sub arc is ****, ever since my dad described the big one that was in the ACM co/ARCO machine shop I have always wanted to see one in operation.

 

[trackwelder]

Nice!!! I will snap some thermit welding pictures this spring

 

[67pete300]

I'm not a welder, but I work in the world of building submarines. While there is alot of automated welding, there is still tons (literally) of welding by hand. Stick welding still rules the day.

 

[WVU Tuba Dale]

Stick Welding is still the preferred method in the field for construction, U.A Pipefitters,Union Boilermakers.Union Ironworkers,all use smaw, along with agtaw.gtaw,fcaw,agw, Procedures are taught in test booths,to members by each Union with no cost to members....39yr member U.A

My dad is a 30 year Union 3 Ironworker.

 

[KraftwerkMk1Jetta]

But, I'd prefer a mig any other time, any thickness. All this "stick for the thick stuff" is odd to me. I've welded 4" (101.6mm) plate with 1/16" metal-core wire numerous times. Now, that's not full-thickness penetration obviously. But, put a chamfer (bevel) on there and you're good to go. I used to run 1" (25mm) fillet welds to joind 2" thick cutting edges to corner bits on buckets. It's a 7-pass weld but it's also at a very high stress area. Oh, this at on top of a 1" groove weld. These were done with .052 solid wire then. Now, our plant uses 1/16" metal core. For this wire, I'd run about 275-320 ipm, 310-340 amps and 32 volts. The machine - Lincoln Idealarc DC-600 with LN-7 wire feeder. We weld 2" thick plate with a variety of weld sizes with this combination daily. Look at any heavy manufacturing facility in the world...I'd bet few use stick other than shipyards.

I like TIG, too...although MIG is sooo much quicker and easier for most applications.

I'd say environment and application are the two biggest factors in process choice. I think most racing sanctioning bodies specify TIG for rollcages?

I use what I have available at the time. I have a Lincoln PowerMig 255c out in my little garage.

I voted MIG.

I think most people say MIG for thin stuff, stick for the thick stuff because a lot of people don't have huge high amp MIG welders to weld the thick stuff. More often than not I think lots of DIY guys have a little 110 or 220 v MIG, and a buzz box stick welder.

 

[eschoendorff]

I use flux core in my MIG. All because that's all I have... and it works for my needs.

 

[bugdust]

I think most people say MIG for thin stuff, stick for the thick stuff because a lot of people don't have huge high amp MIG welders to weld the thick stuff. More often than not I think lots of DIY guys have a little 110 or 220 v MIG, and a buzz box stick welder.

I think you are probably right. I did not think of it that way. I have welded 1" plate with my "little" Lincoln 255c before but even that is a "bigger" machine than most non-welders have. I would bet that most guys are comparing a 135 amp or so mig to a 200 amp stick machine. Has anyone compared apples-to-apples (equal amperage) and have any data? I'm curious now. I'll have to look into this when I get a little time.

 

[Kona Cruisers]

I'm not a welder, but I work in the world of building submarines. While there is alot of automated welding, there is still tons (literally) of welding by hand. Stick welding still rules the day.

Newport News Shipyard?

 

[CAT_serviceman927]

I think most people say MIG for thin stuff, stick for the thick stuff because a lot of people don't have huge high amp MIG welders to weld the thick stuff. More often than not I think lots of DIY guys have a little 110 or 220 v MIG, and a buzz box stick welder.

I didn't think about that either. After reading this thread I checked what we have at work. Lincoln DC-400 with LN-8 wire feeders and Miller CP-302 running on 460v 3 phase. Much larger I am sure than most have at home.

 

[dxdexter]

For home use, many will totally dismiss the smaller GMAW welders when thicker materials appear, but all they need to do is properly preheat the weldment and make multiple passes. I used a small Lincoln 100 amp wire machine for many years before getting my MM175 (wish I had gone with a 250amp) . While I would certainly recommend the larger machine, sometimes we have to work with what we have.

I did also have a SMAW machine (300 amp AIRCO) which was used for hard surfacing but after that work disappeared I for sold it and never looked back. The machine was a electricity hog and took up to much space.