Several Types of Welders [Explained]

Can you imagine your life without having any airplanes, trains, space travels or buildings? It's so tough to think right? From cars to the office building, aerospace to automotive, pipelines to roads, none of it would exist if there is no welding.

Welding is a technique of repairing or building metal structures by uniting the pieces of metal or plastic through various fusion procedures. Generally, heat is utilized to weld the workpieces. Welding equipment can utilize open flames, laser light or electric arc.

When we think about welder, we often don't realize how this technology impacts the real world around us. Do you know 70% of all structural products around us are made with the technology of welding? Yes, the world we live in is full of the welding process.

Due to welding, you are enjoying many luxuries in your life as most of the materials your life includes come from welding technology.

Do you know that there are about 30 different types of welders exist? Some of them are oxy-fuel and some are high-tech processes. MIG, TIG, Stick, and flux-cored arc welder are most commonly used. Each of them arrives with its techniques and capabilities.  All you need to learn the proper selection method of the welder process.

Types of Welders and Uses

Can you imagine that If you just get some couple of any workpieces in your hand, you can give it any shape or design with the help of welder technology? However, in order to master the art of welding, you need to know about different types of welders and uses.

The main types of welder used in industry and by home engineers are Mig welder, TIG welder, Gas welder, and flux-cored arc welder.

This article will provide you information with additional tips for all of the different types of welders and uses.

MIG - Gas Metal Arc Welders (GMAW)

MIG welder is a tool that uses the continuous flow of welder electrode to join two pieces of metal. It uses a gun and a trigger to adjust the flowing speed of the consumable electrode. The electrode heats the metal until it becomes hot enough to weld and join the metals.

MIG welder requires external shielding gas and it is important to choose gases depending on the metals. Usually, a mixture of 75% argon and 25% CO2 works better on steel, aluminum, and alloy metals. Helium gas is great for any type of metals such as carbon steel, aluminum, silicon bronze, nickel, copper, carbon steel and stainless steel.

Uses of MIG welder

Why use MIG welder? Well, if you want a welding process that is very effective and even easier to get your job done, a MIG welder is the ultimate tool you need.

Whether you are a DIY projects lover or an industrial guy, MIG welder will fulfill all your requirements for welder work. Automotive and aerospace industries often require complicated and versatile work and this type of welder fitted to this purpose very well.

TIG - Gas Tungsten Arc welder (GTAW)

TIG welder is a machine that uses a non-consumable tungsten electrode. It heats the base metal and builds a molten weld pool but the electrode is not consumable. The heat melts the metals and is used as a sandwiched glue to clasp two workpieces together.

TIG welder requires an inert shielding gas to protect the weld area and electrode from oxidation or any other atmospheric contamination. Argon and helium gas is mostly used to weld with this type of welder. When helium is used, it is called heliarc welder.

Uses of TIG welder

TIG welder is commonly used to weld thin parts of stainless steel such as aluminum, magnesium, and copper alloys.

The main advantage of using this welder is that it can weld very thin materials with very accurate cuts, unlike others. So when it comes to making seamless, high-quality, clean and highly aesthetic works, this type of welder comes pretty handily.

Want to get very clean and spatter free welds for your work? Then TIG welder can be your best friend in your job. The reason behind this is the fact that it offers a clean weld that is almost impossible with other welder methods. So, TIG welder is one of the most popular welder techniques used nowadays.

TIG welder is an essential component of many industries such as the automotive industry and the construction industry, plastic or steel industry and many more. TIG welder can be used in many forms of metalwork like houses, gates, walls, small kitchen appliances, vehicles, and even air travel.

Stick - Shielded Metal Arc welder (SMAW)

Stick welder is a tool that uses a flux-coated electrode to carry electric current so that it can heal itself to weld metal. The electric current that passes through the coated electrode creates heat and it begins to melt. Thus the molten melt helps to clasp two metals.

The Stick welder requires no shielding gas as it is already coated with a cloud of gases that guards the molten metal and prevents it from oxidizing.

This is the fact for which it is also called shielded metal arc welder.

Uses of Stick Welder

Want an effective yet inexpensive welder? You’ll love the fact that stick welder is quite cheap as it doesn't require any external gas. Moreover, it's coated shield allows it's welder process to work in the pipeline, heavy construction and even in steel erection. The best part is you can even use it in windy or rainy weather.

Apart from industrial fabrication, it gains popularity in many common daily uses such as home appliances, electronic equipment, machinery, automobiles, watercraft, aerospace, etc.

Stick welder is great for personal use as it is very easy to learn and portable.

Flux-Cored Arc welder (FCAW)

FCAW welder is a machine that uses an electrode to feed continuously to create a molten metal that can join two workpieces together. This technique is similar to the MIG welder method but instead of a solid wire, it uses a tube-shaped wire with flux.

It will offer you two types of the flux core wire. One is socially and another one is double shield wire. The social flux wire works well for outdoor use as they can work even in windy weather. The other one is a double shield wire that uses an external shielding gas, used to protect the weld pool.

FCAW welder requires no external shielding gas as it has its own flux core arc. The flux core arc can reduce welder fumes from the workpiece.

Uses of FCAW Welder

If you want a career opportunity in welder then you can easily learn the FCAW welder process as it is extremely easy to learn and use.

Even if you want to use it at home to modify your accessories or to repair any home appliance, you can use it like a pro.

Moreover, the flux-cored arc is one of the most inexpensive welder processes. So if your task is in a budget you don't have to break your bank to weld.

Final Words

In the present day, welding is one of the significant parts that play a valuable role in various aspects of everyday life. However, it’s important to distinguish the differences between all the existing welder process in order to make a smart decision. This is why you should know about the different types of welders. Choosing the right Tig welder and welding technique will give you a perfect outcome of your task.