[TheForge] RE: Stick rod vs mig (Larry Brown)

[Andrew Vida]

tbrforge wrote:
>    Larry,
>     I  have  noticed  that  Mig  welded then hammered left an undercut or
>    inclusive  like  zone  around  the  outside  HAZ (heat affected zone).
>    However,  I  regularly  TIG  joints,  especially on small joints and a
>    little  hammer  work  blends  the weld almost invisibly. It rivals the
>    cosmetics of a good forge weld. That is my opinion.

	That is the only real complaint I have about electrical welds in 
decorative ironwork.  Short of CNC TIG, the beads are just so unsightly 
and add greatly to the CF (Cheese Factor) of a piece.  Sometimes this 
doesn't matter, but sometimes it REALLY matters.  All my MIG'd joints 
got the file or angle grinder treatment on anything that wasn't either 
completely hidden or on "cheap" work.  The only TIG joints I've seen 
that I like as-welded are on the titanium bike frames by Merlin.  Those 
beads are works of art in themselves.  If you ever run into a Merlin, 
take a moment to observe the work and you will know what I mean.  They 
are truly beautiful.

	_Andy