MIG/MAG
Continuous wire feeding can suit general steel fabrication and repeated welds.
Match wire, shielding gas and transfer mode to the material and joint. Shielding needs protection from draughts.
Browse this processA practical starting pointMIG, TIG or stick?
MIG, TIG or stick?
Find a process for your project.
Start with your material and working environment. Explore relevant processes, understand the trade-offs and find equipment to compare.
Processes to investigate
Compare these routes against the exact material, joint and machine manual.
TIG
An alternative where local control matters more than deposition rate.
Compare the work rate and required skill for your project.
Browse this processBefore choosing equipment
- Identify the material grade and actual joint thickness.
- Confirm available electrical supply, machine input requirements and rated duty cycle.
- Include consumables, preparation, protection and fume control in your setup budget.
This tool suggests reading and equipment categories. A welding procedure needs the exact material, joint, position and acceptance requirements. Plan welding protection and fume controls.
How to use this welding process finder
Think of a small steel frame for a garden project. Repeated joints in a sheltered workshop may lead you to compare MIG/MAG equipment. A visible joint in thin material can make TIG worth investigating. If work moves outdoors, shielding becomes a separate question.
Thickness ranges organise the questions to ask. They do not determine current, wire speed, weld strength or the number of passes. Compare your exact joint with the equipment manual and a suitable welding procedure.
What changes when you weld aluminium?
Check process capability before comparing price. Aluminium TIG commonly uses AC, while a MIG setup needs suitable wire feeding. A machine marked “multiprocess” does not automatically provide both.
What does “gasless” mean?
Self-shielded flux-cored wire produces shielding without a cylinder. Other flux-cored wires require external gas. Confirm the wire type and compatible machine configuration.
Complete the equipment plan
Use the ownership cost calculator to add setup and running costs, then check protective equipment and compatible materials and consumables.
References
Information checked 2026-10-14.
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- TWI: MIG/MAG process and shieldingOpens the source in a new tabtwi-global.comLink checked · 31 Oct
- TWI: TIG characteristics and applicationsOpens the source in a new tabtwi-global.comLink checked · 31 Oct
- Miller: solid wire and self-shielded flux-cored wireOpens the source in a new tabmillerwelds.comLink checked · 31 Oct
- HSE: welding fume exposure controlsOpens the source in a new tabhse.gov.ukLink checked · 31 Oct