Stick vs TIG for Pipe Root Pass: Which Is Better?

What a pipe root pass asks of a machine

A root pass is the first pass that welds the two edges of a pipe joint together. Fill and cap passes come later. For a buyer, the root pass is the reason to compare two kinds of machines: a stick welder and a TIG welder. Many listings offer both processes in one machine.

The answer shows up in the words on a listing title. Stick welding appears as SMAW, ARC or simply stick; TIG appears as GTAW or TIG. A title that says Lift TIG on a stick welder tells you the machine also lists DC TIG. A title that says AC/DC TIG names both alternating and direct current for TIG. Those words are the first thing to read, and the learn article on a welder for pipe welding goes deeper into what pipe work asks of a machine.

Stick welders: what the title names

Stick welding, also called ARC or SMAW, uses a consumable electrode with a flux covering. The Everlast page notes that stick welding is very common among first-time welders because no shielding gas is needed, which is why compact stick machines show up so often on listings.

On a listing title, a stick welder often names the top amperage and the input voltage. Maker pages state figures such as 85 amps on the Forney 100 STx, 160 amps on the Forney 160 STx and 205 amps on the YesWelder ARC-205DS PRO. Some pages also name the electrode classes the machine is said to handle, as the Forney 160 STx page does with the phrase 6010 capability.

A buyer also meets the phrase Lift TIG on stick welder titles, usually meaning the machine lists DC TIG started by lifting the torch. Stick machine choices are compared in the stick welder guide, and the beginner comparison is in TIG vs stick for beginners.

TIG welders: what the title names

TIG welding, also called GTAW, uses a non-consumable tungsten electrode and a separate filler rod. The Weldpro page describes TIG as a high-precision method used for various metals, including stainless steel and aluminum.

On a TIG title, the words to read are the start method, the current type and the amperage range. Miller's Maxstar 161 is described on its page as a TIG/Stick package; the Everlast PowerTIG 185 page names AC/DC TIG; the YesWelder TIG-200P ACDC PRO title names AC/DC TIG and pulse control. For steel pipe, DC TIG is the mode a listing names; AC appears on titles for aluminum work.

The difference between AC and DC TIG is explained in the learn article on AC and DC TIG, and TIG machine choices are in the TIG welder guide.

How the two compare as listing words

Cleanup shows up in the listing contents, not in claims. Stick welding uses a flux-covered electrode, and the flux forms a slag that is removed after the pass, so a stick kit may include a chipping hammer and brush. TIG uses a tungsten electrode and a separate filler rod with no flux covering to remove. Both are plain descriptions of what each process is; neither is a claim that one is better.

One machine for both processes

Many listings combine stick and DC TIG in one machine. The Forney 100 STx is described as a 120V stick and DC TIG welder; the YesWelder ARC-205DS PRO is a dual voltage 205A stick and Lift TIG welder; Miller's Maxstar 161 is a TIG/Stick package. For a buyer who wants both process groups without owning two machines, these titles do the job.

A combo title names one set of accessories. Read the box contents on the listing to see whether a TIG torch and foot pedal are included before you compare the combo with a machine-only listing. Multi-process machines are compared in the multi-process welder guide.

Reading amps and input voltage on the title

Two numbers matter most on a listing. The first is the top amperage, a figure the maker states on the product page. The second is the input voltage: 120V, 240V or dual voltage. A dual voltage title names both, which matters for a machine that moves between a shop and a site.

This site never maps amperage to a metal thickness, and it never says where a machine can be plugged in; those questions depend on the installation and the maker's manual. Amperage between processes is also not directly comparable, so compare a stick listing with stick listings and a TIG listing with TIG listings. Dual voltage choices are in the dual voltage guide, and compact 120V machines in the 120V welder guide.

Where codes and certification fit

Pipe welding in many settings falls under codes and certifications. The American Welding Society publishes standards such as the D1.1 structural welding code and runs certification programs, courses and training resources. A buyer who wants to weld pipe for a code project will need the procedure and qualification steps from those standards, the maker's manual and local rules.

This site lists welding machines and compares stated details; it does not cover code qualification or welding procedures. Carry one rule from this article: read the machine's manual and follow the local rules wherever you work.

What to pick for your situation

Questions

Can one machine do both stick and TIG for a pipe root pass?

Many listings combine the two: stick plus DC TIG. Examples on maker pages include the Forney 100 STx, the YesWelder ARC-205DS PRO and Miller's Maxstar 161. Read the process words on the title to confirm both are named.

What does Lift TIG on a stick welder title mean?

It means the listing also names DC TIG, started by lifting the torch head off the metal after touching it. It appears on stick-and-TIG combinations such as the YesWelder ARC-205DS PRO.

What does AC/DC on a TIG title mean for pipe work?

AC/DC means the machine lists both alternating and direct current for TIG. Steel pipe root passes are DC work; AC is the mode named for aluminum. The difference is covered in the learn article on AC and DC TIG.

What is 6010 capability on a stick title?

It is a phrase a maker uses for the electrode classes the machine is said to handle; the Forney 160 STx page lists it as a feature. The electrode comparison is in the learn article on 6010 and 7018.

Do pipe welding jobs follow codes?

Many do. The American Welding Society publishes standards and certification programs for welding. Which procedure applies to your job is a question for the maker's manual and local rules, not for a buying guide.

Which process is common for a first welder?

Stick welding is often the first process people learn. The Everlast page says stick welding is very common among first-time welders because no shielding gas is needed.