MIG, TIG or Mobile Welding? Choosing the Right Welder for the Job

Welding covers everything from a quick repair on a broken gate to a structural steel frame for a new extension. Knowing the main processes, and which one suits your job, makes it easier to explain what you need and to judge the quotes you receive.

MIG welding

MIG welding feeds a wire electrode through the torch under a shielding gas. It is fast, strong and suits most steel fabrication, from gate frames and brackets to general engineering work, and it is also the usual process for car bodywork and MOT repairs.

TIG welding

TIG welding uses a tungsten electrode and gives the welder very fine control of the heat. It produces neat, clean joints, which is why it is preferred for stainless steel and aluminium. Indoor stainless steel handrails, for example, are usually TIG welded so the joints stay discreet.

MMA or stick welding

MMA welding uses a flux-coated rod and copes well outdoors and in awkward positions. It is often used for structural steelwork, heavy repairs and site work.

Mobile welding

Not everything can come to the workshop. Mobile welders bring their equipment to the job for broken gates and railings, agricultural machinery, vehicles and installations that have to be fixed in place. Good welding services in Nottingham and other towns will offer both workshop and on-site work.

Repair or replace?

Before welding a crack, a good welder will work out why it failed in the first place. A gate that has dropped on its hinges, for example, may need new posts or hinges rather than just a weld. Where a repair is not worthwhile, specialists in metal gate fabrication can make a replacement to the exact size of the opening.

What to ask a welder

• Which process will you use, and why?
• Can the work be done on site, or does it need to go to the workshop?
• What finish will protect the repair from rust?
• Is the fixed price for the whole job, including any parts?

For more on manufacturing, welding and metalwork, see our manufacturing category.