MIG Welding Tips for Filling Gaps
MIG welding is the process of using inert gas to create a solid weld. During this process metal is fed through a trigger mechanism into the welding flame and bonded with metal. The process involves the use of filler bars to complete welds and fill in gaps. It is another facet of this style of welding and one that beginners need to master in order to be proficient. Does this Spark an idea?
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Choosing Filler Bars
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A filler bar is a stick of metal that is used with the MIG welding process to fill in a gap in a seam or welded joint. Selecting the right filler bar is the first step in mastering this process. Filler bars are numbered corresponding to their makeup and thickness. These numbers will correlate to specific types of welds and materials, for instance aluminum, steel and stainless steel just to name a few. Keep a number of filler bars on hand and select them based on the type of material and its thickness used in your weld.
Tools
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It always helps to have the right tools, and in welding these are varied. One useful tool to have on hand is a large file. This is used to file down the weld, seam and other parts of the material you are using. This is especially useful when you stop a weld and then pick it back up after the metal has cooled. Filing the welder tip will remove some of the flux metal and make it easier to get back to what you are doing.
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Using the Right Gas
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Another reason some welds fail is due to the type of gas used. When you start a project use the right type of gas for the material you are welding. This also is called shielding gas because it forms a protective barrier around the two metals allowing them to join together more firmly. For thicker metals and steel, use CO2 for instance. This gas burns hot so it gets into the weld faster. However, this gas is too hot for a thinner metal or material like aluminum siding. A mixture of Argon and CO2 (75 percent Argon and 25 percent CO2) is a better solution for thin metal.
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