How to Make a Perfect MIG Weld
The perfect MIG weld should not only look good, but it should also have good penetration into the base material to be structurally sound. Making a perfect MIG weld requires that all the elements that go into making a weld bead are properly set. This includes the voltage and wire speed of the welding machine, the flow rate of the shielding gas, a clean weld joint and use of the proper welding technique. Rushing through preparing the weld joint or setting up your MIG welder will not result in a perfect MIG weld.
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Things You'll Need
- Metal gauge
- MIG welder
- Safety glasses
- Welding gloves
- Grinder
- Flapper wheel
- Scrap piece of metal
- Welding helmet
Instructions
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1
Determine the thickness of the metal by placing the metal gauge onto one edge of the metal. Rotate and reapply the metal gauge to the metal until the edge of the sheet fits snug into one of the slits in the metal gauge.
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2
Select the appropriate wire to match the thickness of the metal you gauged in Step 1. For metals thinner than 10ga, use .023 wire; larger than 10ga, use .030 or .035 wire.
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3
Spool your MIG welder with the appropriate wire for the metal you are preparing to weld.
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4
Set the shielding gas flow rate between 25 and 30 PSI on the flow meter if you are welding in still conditions; increase the flow rate if there is a breeze.
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5
Put on your safety glasses, welding gloves and welding helmet.
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6
Lay the scrap piece of metal on a welding table, lower your welding helmet and run a test pass with the MIG welder. Adjust you heat and wire speed until the welder has a sound similar to eggs frying.
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7
Attach the flapper wheel to the grinder and gently clean the edges of the metal you intend to weld.
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8
Place the pieces of metal that need to be welded together, leaving a 1/16-inch gap between the two pieces to allow for the metal to contract.
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9
Point the wire protruding from the MIG gun at one side of the weld joint and lower your welding helmet.
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10
Start the weld by depressing the trigger of the MIG gun and pulling the tip of the gun over to the other piece of metal that comprises the weld joint.
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11
Move the MIG gun down an 1/8 of an inch and move the MIG gun back toward the other piece of metal. Continue the process of rotating the gun over, up and down until you have the entire metal joint welded.
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12
Allow the weld joint to cool thoroughly before you handle the metal.
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