The four types of arc welding are gas tungsten arc (TIG), gas metal arc (MIG), shielded metal arc (stick), and flux-core arc. Gas metal arc welding (GMAW) or metal inert gas welding (MIG) welds two pieces of metal by melting a continuous piece of consumable wire electrode and the base metal to form a strong bond. Gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW) or tungsten inert gas welding (TIG) uses a non-consumable tungsten electrode to create an arc which then melts the metal base. Stick welding is a common and versatile type of arc welding that uses an electrode coated in flux material which protects the weld from air contaminants. Flux-core arc welding uses a tubular wire filled with flux to provide additional shielding to protect the weld from contaminants.

Arc welding relies on an electric arc to produce intense heat which melts base metals at their joints causing the metals to intermix and, once cooled and solidified, forms a strong, metallurgical bond. Ideal for creating large durable and heavy structures.

With the use of a soldering iron, soldering joins two pieces of metal together by melting a filler metal called solder to create a strong bond. Ideal for delicate projects like fusing small metal electronic components and circuitry.

Gas welding uses an oxy-acetylene torch to burn a mixture of oxygen and acetylene gas to weld metals like steel and aluminum. Used in TIG Welding, TIG Torches melt a non-consumable tungsten electrode to create a precise weld. MIG Torches feeds a consumable wire electrode to create a strong bond. Plasma Torches are used in Plasma Cutting applications to create a plasma arc that cuts or welds metals with high precision.

Soldering irons and butane torches are typically used to solder metals together.