What Is a Tig Welder and How to Become One
Table of Contents
What Does a TIG Welder Do?
A TIG (tungsten inert gas) welder is a welding professional who specializes in using TIG arc welding equipment. A welder is someone who is highly skilled at joining pieces of metal for construction and manufacturing purposes. These joints must be very strong and highly accurate. A TIG welder uses an arc welder fueled by tungsten inert gas to perform a process known as GTAW (gas tungsten arc welding). This is usually used to join thin, non-ferrous metals, like stainless steel.
How Do You Become a TIG Welder?
There are various ways to become a TIG (tungsten inert gas) welder. Many TIG welders complete a training program at a technical or vocational school or a community college to gain the skills and knowledge needed for this job. Others may find an apprenticeship program is available to them, either in addition to or in lieu of a formal training program. Some welders receive training in the military. Once you have the skills and knowledge necessary, you can take the certification exam required to be a certified TIG welder.
What Are TIG Welders Versus MIG Welders?
MIG (metal inert gas) welding is different from TIG (tungsten inert gas) welding and becoming proficient in each requires specialized training. MIG welding is a more common kind of welding, used in fabricating steel and aluminum products. TIG welding is much more of a specialized skill. TIG welding can provide certain benefits needed in some kinds of manufacturing, including greater precision, ability to join thinner metals, and a lower chance of corrosion.
What Do You Use a TIG Welder For?
There are significant advantages that TIG (tungsten inert gas) welding provides. With a TIG welder, you can work with very thin metals without fear of destroying them. TIG welding is also very precise, clean, and requires no grinding or buffing when complete. With TIG welding, you can weld most metals, even aluminum, copper, and stainless steel, with the same equipment and set up. It is more time consuming, but the benefits may be worth it for some jobs.
What Are the Benefits of a TIG Welder Job?
TIG (tungsten inert gas) welding careers provide many benefits to welders. TIG welding is considered a higher level skill and so TIG welders are often paid more than many other types of welders. They often work on finer detail projects and so there may be less heavy lifting and physical strain than that a typical MIG steel welder faces. TIG welders are in demand for a wide variety of manufacturing environments.
Tig Welder Job Description Sample
With this Tig Welder job description sample, you can get a good idea of what employers are looking for when hiring for this position. Remember, every employer is different and each will have unique qualifications when they hire for a Tig Welder role.
Job Summary
We are looking for an experienced TIG Welder to join our manufacturing team. Our ideal applicant has experience TIG welding stainless steel and aluminum, as well as experience with MIG welding processes and various grinding tools. You must be able to read blueprints or technical schematics. We expect our team members to have strong attention to detail in order to ensure the quality of each weld and the safety of the workplace.
Duties and Responsibilities
- Use gas tungsten arc equipment as part of the fabrication process
- Install or repair metal components
- Use grinding equipment in the cleaning process
- Follow blueprints or technical schematics
Requirements and Qualifications
- High school diploma or GED certificate
- Completion of technical training or apprenticeship
- Knowledge of both TIG and MIG welding preferred
- Welding certification preferred
- Attention to detail
