Stick welding vs MIG on a boiler patch job, which wins?

I had to patch a 3/8 inch plate on a boiler last Tuesday in Atlanta. I usually go with MIG because it's faster and cleaner, but the old-timer on site swore stick holds better when there's rust or moisture. I went with MIG since I had the settings dialed in, and it laid down fine, but I spent extra time grinding back slag from a few spots that didn't fuse right. Has anyone else had a patch job where stick would've saved you cleanup time even if it's slower to run?

2 comments

2 Comments

coleman.jamie6d ago

Oh man, I totally feel you on that. I had almost the same deal fixing a trailer frame last fall and fought with cold starts on MIG for way too long before I just switched to stick and it bit right in.

gavinhunt6d ago

Drove an hour for a job last winter. Old farmer wanted his gate welded back together. MIG wouldnt touch it. Cold wire just sat there sputtering. Grabbed the 7018 rods I keep in the truck. First pass laid down perfect. Guy handed me a check and a jar of homemade pickles.