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Step 1
Unplug your welder from the power source before conducting maintenance. Severe electrical shock or death can result from improper use of welding equipment.
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Step 2
Consider the most common problem with MIG welding to be weld porosity, which can occur when gas coverage isn't adequate to protect the weld. Oil, rust, paint or some other contaminant on the base metal often prevents suitable weld penetration. Some remedies to this problem are to clean the metal, change the welding wire, make sure the shielding gas flow is set correctly and shield your work from excessive air movement.
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Step 3
Determine whether the weld bead profile is wrong. If the bead is convex or concave shaped, there may be a problem with insufficient heat input, problems with your work cable or inadequate welding technique. Make sure you're using the proper voltage and amperage and that you work cable is the right size. This information should be available from the manufacturer of your equipment. To improve your welding technique, practice the push technique using a 5- to 10-degree angle to create a flatter bead.
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Step 4
Check your wire delivery system if you hear a chattering noise inside the wire cable or if you're not getting a smooth feed to wire to the gun. Most of these problems involve maintenance and set up. Use the correct feed tip and wire and keep your equipment clean and in good repair. Refer to your manual for suggestions on periodic cleaning and maintenance checks for your equipment.
