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Welding Processes

Whether you’re just getting started or honing your skills, General Air has the welding program for you.

Which class should I take?

What material are you welding?

MIG

TIG

MIG

Also referred to as GMAW or Gas Metal Arc Welding, is the process by which an electric arc forms between a wire electrode and metal, causing fusion.

PROS

  • Easy to learn/low skill level
  • Most popular process
  • Little waste – filler metal
  • Produces clean welds – little post weld clean-up
  • Can handle a variety of material (steel, stainless, aluminum)
  • Fast welding process
  • Little fume generation
  • Low operating cost

CONS

  • Not well suited for outdoor welding
  • Requires a cylinder of shielding gas
  • Limited portability
  • Different gas used for steel, stainless, aluminum
  • Some small machines don’t have a gas solenoid to accommodate gas

TIG

Also referred to as GTAW or Gas Tungsten Arc Welding, is the process by which an electric arc forms between a tungsten electrode and metal, causing fusion.

PROS

  • Very clean welds
  • Best choice for aesthetics
  • Can weld a variety of material steel, stainless, aluminum, titanium, copper, brass
  • Very little fume generation(less than MIG)
  • Best for thinner material/precision welding

CONS

  • Difficult to learn/high skill level
  • Requires a cylinder of shielding gas
  • Limited portability
  • Not well suited for outdoor welding
  • Equipment can be expensive
  • Many choices for tungsten consumables
  • Slow welding process
  • High operating cost

Stick

Also referred to as SMAW or Shielded Metal Arc Welding, is the process by which an electric arc forms between an electrode shielded with flux and metal, causing fusion.

PROS

  • Works well outside
  • Equipment is relatively inexpensive
  • Some stick electrodes good for dirty, rusty material
  • No shielding gas required
  • Portable
  • Great choice for maintenance and repair

CONS

  • Not well suited for indoor welding
  • Smokey
  • Requires post weld clean-up
  • Moderate skill level/can be difficult to learn
  • High operating cost

Flux-Core

Also referred to as FCAW or Flux-Cored Arc Welding, is the process by which an electric arc forms between a continuously-fed flux-encased wire and metal, causing fusion.

PROS

  • Works well outdoors with the proper wire
  • No shielding gas cylinder required with the proper wire
  • Works well welding uphill or overhead
  • Easy to learn/low skill level
  • Low operating cost

CONS

  • Recommended for well ventilated areas
  • Smokey/not well suited for indoor welding
  • Requires post weld clean-up
  • Requires knurled drive rolls
  • Common wires may have thickness limitations

What machine should I buy?