Which welding style do you all prefer, MIG/STICK or TIG?

When choosing a welding style, many people get stuck between MIG, STICK, and TIG. Each has loyal fans, but there’s a better way that often gets overlooked: fiber laser welding.

Fiber laser welding machines offer more precision, speed, and cleaner seams than MIG, STICK, or TIG. They are the future for anyone serious about top-quality welds, especially on stainless steel and aluminum.

If you’ve ever battled messy welds or slow production using MIG or TIG, you’ll want to keep reading. Let me explain why fiber laser welding is the game-changer I trust, and why Kirin Laser clients are making the switch.

fiber laser welding machine at work
fiber laser welding machine welding stainless steel

What is the best welding style?

Many fabricators swear by what they know. But sticking to old methods can slow you down. If you need speed, accuracy, and a clean finish, you should reconsider your options.

The best welding style depends on your materials and goals, but fiber laser welding outperforms MIG, STICK, and TIG on stainless steel and aluminum in both speed and quality.

Why fiber laser welding leads the pack

At Kirin Laser, we see customers switch from MIG, STICK, or TIG to fiber laser every day. Let’s break it down.

Precision

Fiber laser welding delivers pinpoint accuracy. This is crucial when working with thin metals or tight tolerances. MIG and STICK create more spatter. TIG is cleaner, but slower. Fiber laser gives smooth, consistent seams without the cleanup.

Style Spatter Finish Quality Precision
MIG High Medium Low
STICK High Low Low
TIG Low High Medium-High
Fiber Laser None Very High Very High

Speed

Time is money. MIG and STICK are fast, but the welds often need grinding or polishing1. TIG is slow but cleaner2. Fiber laser welding3 combines speed with a polished seam, cutting post-processing time.

Cost-efficiency

Fiber laser welding saves labor costs on cleanup and rework. While the machine investment is higher up front, the long-term savings add up. No more hours wasted polishing welds or fixing mistakes.

comparison of MIG, TIG, and fiber laser welds
comparison welds close-up

Why choose MIG over TIG?

Many people lean toward MIG for ease and speed. I used to do the same. But sticking with what’s familiar can hold back your production.

People choose MIG over TIG because it is faster and easier to learn. But fiber laser welding provides both speed and quality without the trade-offs.

Why fiber laser beats MIG in real life

MIG works great for thicker materials. But when you want clean, precise welds on stainless or aluminum, fiber laser wins. One of our customers made custom stainless frames with MIG4. Their welds needed grinding and polishing to look right. Once they upgraded to fiber laser, they doubled output with no extra polishing.

Seam quality

MIG produces more spatter. That means cleanup. Fiber laser welds are so clean they often need no post-processing.

Style Weld Cleanup Needed Output Speed Best For
MIG High Fast Thicker steel, quick jobs
Fiber Laser Very Low Very Fast Stainless, aluminum, precision work

Learning curve

MIG is easy to pick up. That’s why many shops start there. Fiber laser is also easy with the right training. At Kirin Laser, we help clients get started fast with fiber laser5 machines.

MIG welder in action
MIG welder

Why is TIG welding preferred?

TIG has been the go-to for clean, precise welds. I relied on TIG for years. But it’s slow, and the learning curve is steep. There’s a smarter option today.

TIG welding is preferred for precision and clean seams. But fiber laser welding gives even better precision, with faster speed and less skill needed.

TIG vs. fiber laser: the facts

TIG welding6 lets you control the arc and filler well. But it’s slow, and keeping consistent quality takes serious skill. Fiber laser machines are consistent and fast, with precision baked in. They make even complex joints easier.

Control and consistency

TIG gives the welder control, but that also means room for error. Fiber laser machines offer repeatable quality. Every weld is as clean as the last.

Style Speed Operator Skill Required Consistency
TIG Slow High Medium
Fiber Laser Very Fast Medium High

Finish quality

With TIG, the finish is good but still may need light polishing. Fiber laser welds often don’t need polishing at all. The seams look great right off the machine.

TIG welder at work
TIG welding process

Is MIG or TIG welding better for cars?

When working on cars, people argue over MIG and TIG. Both have their place. But let me share why fiber laser is changing the game.

MIG is better for thick steel on cars, TIG is better for aluminum and precision. But fiber laser welding outshines both for body panels and precision work on auto parts.

Auto welding: why fiber laser wins

Cars today use many materials. Aluminum is common for weight savings. Stainless is used for custom parts. MIG7 handles thick steel well. TIG8 does finer work, but slowly. Fiber laser combines speed, precision, and clean seams for modern car builds.

Applications

Style Best For Car Use
MIG Thick steel Frames, brackets
TIG Thin metals Exhausts, custom parts
Fiber Laser Thin to medium metals Body panels, custom parts, trim

Real-world success

We helped a custom auto shop switch from TIG to fiber laser9 for aluminum body work. Their welds looked better, and they finished jobs faster. No more hours spent on seam cleanup.

fiber laser welding car parts
laser welding auto parts

Conclusion

When people ask if MIG, STICK, or TIG is better, I tell them to look beyond the old options. Fiber laser welding10 brings speed, precision, and clean seams together. At Kirin Laser, we’ve seen customers transform their output and quality overnight. If you want to work smarter, not harder, fiber laser welding is the answer. Let’s talk about how it can help your business too.


  1. Learn about the reasons behind the need for post-weld finishing and how it affects the overall quality of welds. 

  2. Discover the trade-offs of TIG welding to make informed decisions for your welding projects. 

  3. Explore the advantages of Fiber laser welding to understand how it can enhance efficiency and quality in your projects. 

  4. Discover the drawbacks of MIG welding and why fiber laser might be a better choice for certain applications. 

  5. Explore this link to understand how fiber laser technology can enhance welding efficiency and quality, especially for precision work. 

  6. Learn about TIG welding's unique control and skill requirements, and how it stacks up against other methods like fiber laser. 

  7. Learn about MIG welding's strengths and weaknesses compared to other methods, essential for understanding its role in car production. 

  8. Discover the challenges of TIG welding, especially in speed and efficiency, to better appreciate alternative methods like fiber laser. 

  9. Explore the benefits of fiber laser welding, including speed and precision, which are crucial for modern automotive manufacturing. 

  10. Find the best laser welding machine and welding solutions from Kirin Laser, clicking this link to get your needs. 

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Mark at Kirin Laser

Hey! I’m the author of this post. With over 16 years in the laser machinery field, we’ve supported businesses in 28 countries, partnering with 280+ clients to deliver bespoke laser solutions.  Contact us for a free quote and discover how our tailor-made, cost-effective solutions can elevate your business. 

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