Which is better for bodywork repairs: Gasless MIG welder or Stick Welder?

Question

I was planning on investing in a small welding machine. On the future, I intend to use it for car bodywork repairs, but for now I'll probably be practicing making small tools.

For a number of reasons (i.e.: available money, lack of experience with welding and physical space), the two types of machines that seem to fit my current situation are regular stick welding machines (either transformer or inverter) and gasless MIG welding machine. I heard about the latter through a bodywork professional, and it seems to be just a welding machine that behaves like a MIG (wire being fed to a gun, adjustable wire feed speed and current) but uses no inert gas.

Apparently, the advantage of the gasless MIG is being easier to use on small metal sheets, just like some that are used in car body panels. It's a little more expensive than the stick welders though.

I was wondering if the gasless MIG is a good investment or if in my case I should just stick with the stick welder (no pun intended :p).

blacksmith37 · Accepted Answer

MIG is much easier to learn than stick , especially for thin steel/low amperage. Gasless requires flux cored wire to get an adequate weld . The ductility and toughness are not as good for flux cored as gas but good enough for sheet metal. I suggest getting a unit that can use gas or that gas can be added on later.

Correct answer by blacksmith37 on August 27, 2021

Solar Mike · Answer

For thin sheet aka car body panels I would go with the gasless mig (the wire produces its own gas via the flux it is treated with, so you have to get gasless mig wire which is more expensive...).

I have used both and made many things with stick - even dung forks using old broken lorry halfshafts and 8" angle with 6mm rods to get the runs down faster. Would not use stick on car body though...

Which is better for bodywork repairs: Gasless MIG welder or Stick Welder?

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