Stick welding, also known as shielded metal arc welding, was one of the earliest methods of welding. Stick welding is frequently used outdoors because rain and wind will not affect weld quality. Stick welding is used on piping and bridges as well as to fix tractors and create art. A workload does not even need to be clean for using this method of welding. However, many stick welding electrodes don't penetrate the material very deeply. Also, only a few inches of welds can be made before an electrode needs replacing. Stick welding requires a very high level of skill to produce quality welds.
MIG welding (gas metal arc welding) is most often used with steel. MIG welders do not have to start and stop too often while welding, which allows for long, uninterrupted welds. This method of welding is relatively clean, creating only a little spatter while welds are made. Drawbacks linked with MIG welding include the possibility of excessive melt-through and incomplete joint penetration or fusion. Sometimes, it can be difficult to create a starting arc in MIG welding. MIG welds are known to leave deposits that are heavily oxidized.
TIG welding (gas tungsten arc welding) is often employed to make welds on nickel alloys, magnesium, aluminum, titanium and copper alloys. TIG welds can be made with or without metal fillers, unlike MIG welding, which exclusively employs filler metals to create welds. TIG welding pinpoints heat better than MIG welding, allowing for smaller, more precise welding. However, TIG welds can take longer to complete than MIG welds. In addition, TIG welding is a very clean process, creating no spatter whatsoever while a weld is being made.
Despite the many benefits of TIG welding, there are a number of drawbacks similar to the drawbacks linked with MIG welding. They include excessive melt-through, incomplete fusion or joint penetration, and difficulty in producing a starting arc.