Mig Welding Tips

These seven mig welding tips are a bit basic, but you might find them helpful if you are new to mig melding or it may refresh your memory.

MIG (Metal Inert Gas) is the name given to a welding process in which a consumable electrode made of wire and a gas are fed constantly through the welding gun. MIG welding is an automatic for of arc welding and is suitable for a wide range of welding applications. Anyone new to MIG welding needs to spend time practicing, as well as get some proper training. Below are a series of tips designed to help the newcomer to MIG welding avoid common mistakes.

Mig Welding Tip #1: Prepare the welding surface properly. MIG welding will not work o areas of metal that are still covered with paint, oil, dirt or rust. Make sure you clean the two surfaces to be welded sufficiently before trying to weld them.

Always use protective goggles or better still a welding mask. If you choose to use a welding mask try and find one that will strap on to your face and avoid the kinds of masks that are hand held. Using a hand held masks ties up a free hand, meaning you will have less control over the structures you are attempting to MIG weld.

Mig Welding Trick (or Is it a Tip) #3: Make sure the metal spool that contains the consumable electrode has a clear feed through your MIG welding gun. Nothing is more painful than having to stop and untangle a snagged feed spool half way through a weld. This is especially true with complicated or difficult welding projects which require great concentration and dexterity.

To minimize the possibility of metal stock being warped due to heat stress try skip welding. MIG weld a small section at the start of the weld, and then another small section at the middle and end of the weld, this will stop the metal flexing as it heats.

Mig Welding Tip #5: Be careful of residual heat. If you are working on a project that requires welds being made close to a flammable piece of the target then be sure to let the metal cool down frequently. Although MIG welding keeps the heat fairly well concentrated in the target zone, prolonged welding will heat up the metal stock.

Make sure you are comfortably positioned before starting to MIG weld. You should make sure that your body is comfortable and relaxed, no muscle groups are stressed and that you are not leaning over too much. Being comfortable is the single most important factor when trying to make sure that MIG welding is done smoothly.

Mig Welding Tip #7: Check you earth clamp. You MIG welding unit need a very good earth to operate at its optimum performance. Check and clean your earth clamp regularly, replacing it if it becomes too dirty or worn.

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7 Mig Welding Tips

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