4 answers
Pedro
Student
New Iberia, Louisiana
1
Question
Asked
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What is used more in welding, Tig, Flux core or Stick?
I am in 11th grade and I'm taking welding classes and I want to see what I can practice to get better at.
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4 answers
Nauman Tahir Farooqi
10
Answers
Updated
Nauman Tahir’s Answer
It’s awesome that you’re taking welding classes in 11th grade—it’s a valuable skill that can open up many opportunities in industries like construction, manufacturing, ship construction and even marine engineering.
In order to answer, which welding is used most, we have to determine which industry you are aiming for.
Stick Welding (Shielded Metal Arc Welding - SMAW) is common in construction, maintenance, and repair jobs. It’s widely used in outdoor environments because it works well even in windy or dirty conditions. Stick welding is a foundational skill. Learning it will give you a solid base for other welding techniques.
Flux Core Arc Welding (FCAW) is more popular in heavy fabrication, shipbuilding, and structural projects. It’s similar to MIG but works better outdoors because the flux provides protection from contamination. If you’re interested in industrial welding or structural work, flux core welding is a great skill to master.
TIG Welding (Gas Tungsten Arc Welding - GTAW) is used for precision welding, especially with stainless steel, aluminum, and other non-ferrous metals. You’ll find it in industries like aerospace, automotive, and marine engineering. TIG welding requires more skill and patience, but it produces the highest quality welds. If you’re aiming for specialized or high-paying jobs, this is worth practicing.
I would suggest that you start with Stick Welding. It’s versatile and widely used. Mastering stick will help you develop control, which will make it easier to learn other techniques. Learn Flux Core if you’re Interested in Heavy Industries. Especially if you want to work in shipyards, construction, or similar fields. and then transition to TIG for precision work.
Focus on maintaining a steady hand and consistent motion. Good welds come from control and precision. Study what a good weld looks like—smooth, uniform beads with good penetration. Work on Metal Preparation. Cleaning and preparing the metal properly can make a big difference in weld quality. Practice horizontal, vertical, and overhead welding. Real-world jobs often require welding in awkward positions.
Best of Luck!
In order to answer, which welding is used most, we have to determine which industry you are aiming for.
Stick Welding (Shielded Metal Arc Welding - SMAW) is common in construction, maintenance, and repair jobs. It’s widely used in outdoor environments because it works well even in windy or dirty conditions. Stick welding is a foundational skill. Learning it will give you a solid base for other welding techniques.
Flux Core Arc Welding (FCAW) is more popular in heavy fabrication, shipbuilding, and structural projects. It’s similar to MIG but works better outdoors because the flux provides protection from contamination. If you’re interested in industrial welding or structural work, flux core welding is a great skill to master.
TIG Welding (Gas Tungsten Arc Welding - GTAW) is used for precision welding, especially with stainless steel, aluminum, and other non-ferrous metals. You’ll find it in industries like aerospace, automotive, and marine engineering. TIG welding requires more skill and patience, but it produces the highest quality welds. If you’re aiming for specialized or high-paying jobs, this is worth practicing.
I would suggest that you start with Stick Welding. It’s versatile and widely used. Mastering stick will help you develop control, which will make it easier to learn other techniques. Learn Flux Core if you’re Interested in Heavy Industries. Especially if you want to work in shipyards, construction, or similar fields. and then transition to TIG for precision work.
Focus on maintaining a steady hand and consistent motion. Good welds come from control and precision. Study what a good weld looks like—smooth, uniform beads with good penetration. Work on Metal Preparation. Cleaning and preparing the metal properly can make a big difference in weld quality. Practice horizontal, vertical, and overhead welding. Real-world jobs often require welding in awkward positions.
Best of Luck!
I concur with Nauman’s advice. In addition to this, I would recommend you also endeavor to learn the science behind the various welding processes and gain an understanding of the basic groups of materials being joined (steel, stainless steel, aluminum). This will help in troubleshooting problems and issues you encounter.
Wheatley Ed
Richard Vagnoni
First Sergeant
7
Answers
North Las Vegas, Nevada
Updated
Richard’s Answer
Flux core is great if you are welding outside as you don't have to worry about gas blowing away and the weld getting contaminated. Stick welding is good for that reason too. Flux core is also great for people learning to weld at home and they don't have the space or money to run a gas bottle.
I personally like TIG welding the best as it is the most versatile. You can get different filler rods for different materials. There is filler rod like Aluminum bronze or 309 Stainless that will allow you to join different types of metal. It also gives you the most control. You have control over your amperage in real time with a foot pedal so you could weld something paper thin or really thick.
To say what is used most is a very open ended question. It depends on the industry
Pipeline, structural, and field repair use Stick and Flux Core most as its deep penetrating and can be done outside.
Automotive, Aviation, and Artistic tend to use TIG more as those industries can deal with more exotic metals and is performed mostly indoors in a shop with very clean tight joint fit up.
I personally like TIG welding the best as it is the most versatile. You can get different filler rods for different materials. There is filler rod like Aluminum bronze or 309 Stainless that will allow you to join different types of metal. It also gives you the most control. You have control over your amperage in real time with a foot pedal so you could weld something paper thin or really thick.
To say what is used most is a very open ended question. It depends on the industry
Pipeline, structural, and field repair use Stick and Flux Core most as its deep penetrating and can be done outside.
Automotive, Aviation, and Artistic tend to use TIG more as those industries can deal with more exotic metals and is performed mostly indoors in a shop with very clean tight joint fit up.
randall crenshaw
Small Business owner Maintenace, Fabrication and Regulatory Compliance
2
Answers
Sedro-Woolley, Washington
Updated
randall’s Answer
Depends, Stick / Arc Welding is more structural like what you see being done on a construction site, it's pretty easy to get the hang of and the tolerances are more forgiving, the pay is good, but you are working outside a lot.
Tig welding is more precise and performed indoors on a bench the working conditions are pretty good, and the pay is ok.
The best is tig welding sanitary tubing, you work with the food, beverage, chemical and pharmaceutical industry, The pay is good and the working conditions are as well. Lot's of opportunity.
Tig welding is more precise and performed indoors on a bench the working conditions are pretty good, and the pay is ok.
The best is tig welding sanitary tubing, you work with the food, beverage, chemical and pharmaceutical industry, The pay is good and the working conditions are as well. Lot's of opportunity.
Roy Koch
welder
1
Answer
Saint Simons Island, Georgia
Updated
Roy’s Answer
FCAW is becoming a leading process but it all depends on the work being done. That being said stick welding is a very good way to learn all processes of welding.