How to Weld With a MIG Welder
MIG stands for Metal Inert Gas. MIG welding is one of the easiest types of welders to use because it is simple to operate compared with other types of welders such as TIG welders (Tungsten inert gas) or Stick welders. MIG welders have a wide range of applications such as joining any two pieces of steel together, or repairing items that are made of metal such as a broken metal banister or railing. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
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Wear safety gear, including a welding helmet, thick leather welding gloves, and a densely woven natural-fiber jacket. All of these are required to help protect you from some of the heat and UV exposure caused by welding.
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Attach the electrode clamp to one of the pieces of metal you're working with. Attach it by clamping it to the piece of metal. The metal that you're going to weld must be free of paint, rust and oil, otherwise a good electrical contact will not be achieved.
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Set the "feed" setting on the welder to around 20 percent. Set the amperage to the middle setting. These are the only two settings that a MIG welder has, other than the power on/off switch. Adjusting these two settings is critical to having a successful weld. These are good settings to start with, and as you're working on your piece, you can adjust as you see fit.
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Squeeze the trigger of the wire feed gun until about one-quarter of an inch of wire is exposed.
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Place that tip of wire so that it is just barely touching the metal you're welding.
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Cover your face with your welding helmet.
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Squeeze the MIG trigger. This will start two things: one, the wire will start being fed out of your gun, and two, this will power the current that causes the metal to melt and create the weld.
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Adjust your settings based on this test. If the wire seems to be burning back or melting faster than it can be deposited, you probably need to increase the "feed" setting. If the wire is getting jammed into the weld or extra pieces of wire are sticking out, you probably need to decrease the "feed" setting. If you're creating holes in the metal you're welding, decrease your amperage. If the welds are not fully penetrating the metal and not creating a good joint or seam, increase your amperage.
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Continue to squeeze the MIG trigger and lay a steady bead of weld along the area of metal you're trying to join.
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Let the bead cool naturally, or quench it using water. The bead will take about 10 minutes to naturally cool, but it will be physically solid as soon as you lay the bead down.
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Tips & Warnings
Always use protective gear when welding.
Weld only in a well-ventilated area or outdoors to reduce your exposure to welding gases.
Never weld near flammable objects or fuel.
Welding exposes you to the risk of severe burns, UV damage, and radiation. Use extreme caution.
References
- Photo Credit Resting on the banisters image by Michael Emerson from Fotolia.com
