Quality bikes are not brazed, as some people seem to think, and TiG does not need wire - it uses an arc and a filler rod.
Actually, I think MIG works with aluminum and other metals such as stainless steel - not just TIG. TIG uses one kind of wire and then requires filler rod. MIG (metal in gas) requires stocking various kinds of wire and changing the machine over. Both require various gases for various metals being welded.
MIG is easier to use. TIG involves less change over time in a commercial shop and will go deeper into thicker metal - not a bike situation.
Quality bikes are brazed, not welded, but your plans probably work okay with welding.
Well you can get cheap arc and mig welders. However you can only weld on steel and iron with these. But they're great for a teaching tool. The tig welder is the best one to use for stress bearing points on a frame. You also need a tig welder for aluminum welds. There are instructional videos you can watch. But it would greatly benefit you to have a professional welder teach you. So if you have a welder friend get them to advice you on how to weld and what kind of welder to get.
If you are just starting out and concerned about cost, Get a small electric arc welder.
The Mig welder uses gas bottles, regulators and a lot of stuff you don't need to get yet. Start out cheap then upgrade as you learn.
I think you are just at the initial phase,so, in this in case you need a electric arc welder.But, you need to be careful while using it.
hello,
i would like to make custom bicycles at home, by choping used bicycles and recycling them by welding them to make a custom bicycle design .
i have no background in welding yet, and i want to learn by practicing ( don't want to follow a course here, it's too lengthy and costy, and this is just a hobby ).
i think i have 40 amps at home ; i don't know which welding type to use, i have googled it up ,and most say TIG would be the best option to weld bicycles..
what brand and type of welding machine do i purchase and the necessary tools, is there a tutorial where i can learn by welding random pieces of metal if it's not too much to ask?thank you in advance
