For those that weld, whether welding guru, or rank amateur...

All other factors being equal, which do you prefer? single choice
	stick
	wire feed
	it depends
Votes accepted starting: 05/03/20 04:14 AM
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What you're asking, with such a broad question is the same as asking "open/boxed in wrench, or ratchet and socket, which do you prefer?"

I've never used a wire welder but wouldn't mind having one....

Picked "It Depends". For most of the stuff I do around the house I go with the MIG wire feed. If out in the bottoms or deer lease I switch to Flux Core so I don't have to take a bottle with me. Depending on the thickness of the material I will use stick rod on the thicker material and TIG on the really thin stuff. My welder can do all 3 with the change of a few items and a different gas mix so it makes it easy to switch between methods.

I selected depends, it is a wide open question.

I use the process that best fits the job. If it is basic clean mild steel in the shop, I use mig with solid wire and 75/25 gas. It is quick and clean. If it is heavy work, and/or high carbon steel in the shop, I will use mig with duo shield wire and CO2 gas, and run it in spray, or I may opt for stick if it is a small job. I use stick exclusively outdoors, and on any oilfield pipe. I do not like flux core wire, and there is a rod for any application you may need. I do have a TIG, and use it for stainless and when welding drill rod or other tool steels usually when building a tool or some off the wall part for something. Occasionally I will weld aluminum with it, but not often. If I were limited to one process, it would be stick.

Yes, I guess it is a really open ended question. I've had a 110 wire feed welder for forever. It's been great for small jobs, but lately, I've had some thicker steel to weld, and it wasn't up to the task. My neighbor just got a new 220 stick welder and let me borrow it. Initially, I was thinking of getting a 220 wire feed welder, cause I haven't used a stick since I was a teenager, but I may change my mind and keep my 110 wire feed for thin metal, and get a 220 stick for the thicker stuff. Just seeing what others are doing.

Maybe I should have said, if you can only have one.

Does it have to go outside, in the wind, ever?

Yes. speaking of, what did you use to weld the steel beams of your house?

I would go with stick, I have a Miller cracker box that I got in 1970 for $50 at at pawn shop, that is still going strong.

I have had both. Learned to weld on a stick and that is what I am comfortable with. Sold the wire welder years ago.

If you have to go outside in the wind, you need a stick welder. I've never used flux core for MIG, and probably never will.

My trusses were built in the shop with a MIG. The columns were welded to the weld plates with a stick welder, and the trusses were welded to the colums with the same machine. All of the welding on the house was done with a Miller Bobcat stick welder, because the job is outside.

Im a self taught welder and I didn't teach myself much lol

All ive ever used was a stick welder considered buying a wire welder for smaller stuff in the shop, but just don't use it enough. Most of the stuff I work on now a days I find myself struggling to get power close enough to it. If I could go back in time I would have bought welder/generator instead of a plug in, but for the quantity I use it I would probably be better off renting one.

learned to weld in my dad's shop using only stick for electric welding, oxy/acetylene for brazing and lighter stuff 50+ years ago. A couple years back my wife/kids bought me a cheapo wire feed from Harbor Freight and I have somewhat struggled on getting a smooth and consistent weld. It sure is easier for using on light weight stuff like thin wall square tubing. If I had to narrow it down to just one, I would have to go with the stick just because I am 1000 times more familiar with using that.

Wire is the only way to go if it's not windy or inside a shop.

Flux Core isn’t bad and it serves a purpose. You will not be in a position where you can’t use flux core, I’m guessing, so I wouldn’t rule out a wire feed. I run flux almost exclusively unless doing body work on sheet metal, then I’ll hook up the gas because it’s cleaner and not generating any heat. Cheap flux core sucks, good flux core is expensive, but is the only way to weld outside with a wire feed or under a fan.

I can’t stick weld thin metal, and haven’t mastered TIG yet but there again you need gas and no wind.

Buy a multi process machine.

These are great machines and I have been very happy with my Plasma/TIG/Stick machine.

https://www.everlastgenerators.com/product/mig/powermts-251si-tig-package

I am a retired Ag science teacher. Taught a lot of welding classes.

I always taught "stick" (SMAW shielded metal arc welding) first. It takes some time and effort practicing. uTube is your friend. start with 7018 electrodes on good clean steel in flat position just run beads don't start off trying to weld joints. Pay attention to power settings, arc length , drag angle and watching the puddle. I have seen some kiddos with good hand eye coordination pick it up quickly.

If you don't see yourself welding a lot MIG is a bigger investment.

Stick most the time, I can power down or grab 3/32 rods. Now there is a threshold, fortunately most stuff I fix or build is structural not delicate tig type work

I have miller multimatic 110/220 stick/mig/tig machine. I recommend it for anything but heavy commercial daily fab work

https://bakersgas.com/products/mill...hU1MF6opqxANhYtWGb0KqlJWChBoCPPoQAvD_BwE

A friend worked at a local welding supplier, he called those the "welding idiot's sticker".

They pretty much are. They are multi position and super easy to strike plus they work in a drag instead of having to walk the cup.

I can't weld my way outa a paper bag, but our shop employed 70+/- welders/hydraulic mechanics. Some of them had to be ANSI certified for a manlift. I know a good weld when I see it. I finally took a continuing education class after I retired, just to say I tried. All I really learned (besides it's f'ing HOT!) was that some of my property taxes buy decent welding equipment to help kids get a decent job, and I'm all for that. (San Antonio Community College District).

Due to the recent oilfield debacle, I've hired the son of my fence contractor to build us a custom gate for the ranch. Impressive young man and the work is absolutely awesome. He and his childhood friend (also an oilfield welder) are doing an amazing job. I'll try to post a pic when it's hung.

Yep, that is why I recommend starting with them. Confidence builder, learn to read the puddle, etc. You probably wouldn't teach a kids how to shoot a gun by handing them a 30-06.

This is the same one I purchased and sold my AC/DC Stick Welder to a friend of mine. It is so much lighter and can do so many techniques. My 3 kids asked me what I wanted for Fathers day, I told them the Aluminum Wire Feeder Gun. Last year they got me the TIG setup for it. I have worked with some fantastic welders over the last 40 years and wish I had half of their skills. Worked with one guy who was building up the inside of a large pump case about 58" across. He TIG welded (Titanium) on it 8 hours a day for over a week with me holding a purge trailer on the outside of the case. Talk about a long week chasing a red glow. Over 15' of weld each pass by 1-1/2" wide with three passes to put on enough to machine back to size.