Mig welding technique - Lateral-g Forums

SSLance · #1 12-29-2013, 08:54 AM

I'm about 5 or 6 videos in already Greg, thanks...

Back in high school I took welding in Voc-tech for a year where we learned gas welding, then cutting torch and lastly stepped up to stick arc welding. So I understand the theory, it's just adapting to the latest types of machines I have to pick up.

So far, I really like the new welder. Just need to get some scrap steel and start burning some wire. I've already picked up a few tricks from the videos.

**GregWeld** · #2 12-29-2013, 08:59 AM

Good! Watching the videos is very helpful to someone just beginning --- and there's an entire series discussing almost anything you need to know about. Personally I think "watching" is faster than trying to "read" and do.

SSLance · #3 12-29-2013, 12:14 PM

What I learned mainly by watching the videos was I needed to pick up my travel speed. Guess I was used to a lower powered welder where I had to wait on it all of the time. With this one as I picked the speed up it didn't pile up the weld nearly as much.

Spent about 15 minutes making passes across this lawnmower blade laying one bead on top of the next with the blade vertical in the vice. Felt a lot better. Actually made a nicer looking weld pushing instead of pulling the puddle for some reason.

Put the wire speed back on auto set and it felt great too.

I need to get some more and different sizes of scrap so I can practice welding two pieces together now.

I also dialed the helmet back one notch and I could see what I was welding on much better. I didn't weld too much, we'll see if I have any irritation in my eyes tonight because of this. I've had flashburn in my eyes before and it SUCKS. Don't want that happening again, ever...

With a stick welder, we were taught to flick the stick forward of where the puddle was to preheat the area ahead for better penetration. The videos I watched for MIG welding all talked about a cursive "e" pattern or even a "u" pattern, but it seemed like that was more for a better looking weld than better penetration.

With a MIG do you use the voltage increase to increase penetration or welding pattern or a combination of both?

**GregWeld** · #4 12-29-2013, 01:14 PM

A couple of things -- #1 -- that end of the blade can only take so much heat before it affects everything you do. You need more metal to practice on... otherwise you're trying to compensate for metal that is already hot as hell.

#2 --- penetration is controlled by amperage - voltage (which is your wire feed dial on that machine I think) -- and travel speed. Sorry -- but that's all called "learning to weld". HAHAHAHAHAHA because it's a little of everything combined.

#3 --- rarely do I move the torch in any pattern unless the weld area calls for it. If I'm welding vertical UP -- in a corner - Yeah... I'd have to travel to both sides of the job to make the weld. On two pieces of flat material - laying on a table - tight fit up --- no motion is required. Push or pull. I usually PULL when I'm welding thicker material as I think it carries more heat into the material --- or I'll go a little more upright on the torch and bury more wire... or..... Well -- again -- it all depends - depends on where your head is vs the piece... the gap -- the angle of the pieces or whatever. Sometimes a guy has to weld left handed to get into a spot. Sometimes the particular style of oscillation is the type of weld you're making. Vertical up on a flat seam is one thing --- an inside corner with a gap is another...

BTW - not being a smart ass here.... it just is so variable.

Roberts68 · #5 12-29-2013, 02:24 PM

For a pretty economical helmet with really great visibility check out htp weld USA, I bought their striker (I think that was the name) on sale last year and was flat out amazed compared to the auto darkening helmets I had used previously.

Here's a link : http://www.usaweld.com/Striker-Stealth-WG-Welding-Helmet-p/90130-wg.htm

SSLance · #6 12-29-2013, 04:03 PM

Thanks Robert, I'll keep that link if it looks like I need to upgrade.

Greg, it's all good, appreciate the help. It is really all about feel...and seat time so to speak. I don't plan on doing a bunch of fabrication but it is nice to be able to put down a good weld in a pinch without a bunch of trial and error.

I'm planning in my head some chassis strengthening and bracing options that may be a product of some practicing... Two birds one stone kinda deal.

**GregWeld** · #7 12-29-2013, 04:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SSLance

Thanks Robert, I'll keep that link if it looks like I need to upgrade.

Greg, it's all good, appreciate the help. It is really all about feel...and seat time so to speak. I don't plan on doing a bunch of fabrication but it is nice to be able to put down a good weld in a pinch without a bunch of trial and error.

I'm planning in my head some chassis strengthening and bracing options that may be a product of some practicing... Two birds one stone kinda deal.

Building stuff - or being able to do a job yourself is FUN! I don't care what anyone says. I love being able to just fix something!

**GregWeld** · #8 12-29-2013, 04:09 PM

I've said it in 50 different welding threads -- if you can't see -- you can't weld. Period. You have to be able to see what you're doing. But then again -- I'm kind of an equipment kind of guy.... the right stuff for the right job.

There's 4 different helmets - used for different things... A couple of them (the ones hanging on the TIG machine - are capable of lower settings -- so I can TIG at very low amperage and still see...

One of the helmets on the MIG machine is set up more for sheet metal tacks if I don't just want to close my eyes.