Converting a Saiga

There are two different kinds of welding techniques suitable for working on sheet metal receivers.  They are metal-inert gas welding (MIG) and tungsten-inert gas welding.  What they have in common is that an inert gas (like argon) displaces the ambient air during the metal filling process to prevent oxidation, which would consume both the donor metal and the base part(s).  TIG welding allows for the maximum flexibility because the heat source and the donor metal (usually tungsten) are different. MIG welding, on the other hand, uses the donor metal for the heat source (much akin to stick welding).  TIG equipment is expensive.  MIG equipment is much less expensive, and on the low end (known as 'wire feed welders'), offers the capability of a flux core wire without additional inert gas.  When flux core wire is used, the flux vaporizes and displaces the ambient air.