MIG welding is one of the most popular welding processes used in the manufacturing industry. It’s also one of the easiest. If you have a basic understanding of soldering and arc welding, you will be able to get started with MIG welding. While it may seem like a lot of information to take in at once, trust us when we say it’s easier than you think. Let’s dive into our guide on mig welding basics For beginners and how to get started with mig welding.
Definition of Mig Welding
MIG welding is an arc welding process that uses a continuous wire feeder or MIG welder to pass a current of argon or other shielding gas through a metal welding cable. There are two different types of shielding gas used. Argon is a non-oxidizing gas that doesn’t react with the base metal. This means it protects the base metal from the weld pool’s oxidation. CO2 is a welding gas that reacts with the base metal. This means it protects the weld pool from oxidation.
If you are looking for a process that’s easy to learn, offers low costs, and produces high quality welds, MIG welding is the way to go. You are also likely to see a lot of other processes replaced by MIG welding. Welding on construction sites, manufacturing, and a variety of other industries have all seen a shift to MIG welding. And it’s no wonder why: MIG welding is a great process that’s easy to use and offers a high level of quality welding.
Use of Mig Welding?
Typically, welding processes are used because they produce strong welds. But mig welding is one of the few welding processes that produces strong welds at a much lower than usual cost. A consistent weldment quality, as well as low costs, are the main reasons why MIG welding has become so popular. Welding with MIG welding is also great for production environments. Welding in these environments is typically limited to the daytime, when the sun is out. This means you are limited in what you can do. Welding at night is typically not allowed. MIG welding is a great process for these conditions. You can weld anytime of the day. You can weld in low-light conditions.
Benefits of Mig Welding
Here are some benefits of mig welding basics For beginners:
Low cost – MIG welding has proven to be one of the cheapest ways to weld. Welding with mig welders can cost as little as $0.25 per foot or less. This price is often kept low thanks to the fact that purchasing a welding machine is not a major investment decision, unlike purchasing a new tool for higher end welding such as arc welding or oxy-acetylene.
Quality – When welding with mig welding, you can be sure that the weld will be strong. This is thanks to the fact that mig welding is a Both Gas Process (BWP) process. BWP processes produce a quality weld that’s keyed and fully welded. Arc welding, gas-less welding, and gas-welding processes produce welds that are bulged, undercut, and indented.
Welding in low light – Welding in low light conditions is made much easier with mig welding. It’s a BWP process, so it protects the weld pool for low light conditions. It’s also a low cost welding process, so you can weld at the lowest cost possible.
Welding in harsh environments – MIG welding can be used in a variety of conditions. It can be used in harsh environments such as outdoors, in construction sites, and in manufacturing. This means you can weld in all types of environments.
Easy to learn – MIG welding is easy to learn. All you need is a welder and welding cables. There are no complex settings or process to learn. You can get started welding the same day you get your machine.
Equipment for Mig welding Beginners
As we mentioned before, mig welding is a Both Gas Process (BWP) process. To weld, you need shielding gas and a welding machine. You may also need a power source, and an air supply. As far as shielding gas, argon is the most common shielding gas for mig welding. It’s cheap and easy to obtain. However, it doesn’t produce any weld pool protection. If you are welding outdoors or in harsh environments, CO2 shielding gas is preferred. Another thing that you will need is welding cables. Welding cables are used to transfer heat from your welder to the metal you are welding. They have a resistance to electric current and are used to transfer heat to metal.
Welding cables can be made of high-tensile steel, aluminum, copper, or carbon fiber. You will also need a ground cable to ground your welder. Ground cables are used to ground your welder and protect the environment. A welder wire feeder is used to feed the welding cable. You may also need a welding manual or tutorial.
Mig Welding Basics For Beginners – How to Use Welder
All welders work in pretty much the same way. They have a power source that heats up a metal rod, known as a electrode. As the electrode heats up, it melts the metal rod and creates a molten pool of metal. Your welder is used to transfer heat to the metal rod in your job piece. Depending on the type of welder you have, you may need an air hose or an air pressure hose. Once you have all of these things ready, and your machine is set to the correct voltage and amperage, let’s start welding.
Turn your power on, adjust your welding machine to the correct setting, and let it heat up. We recommend letting your machine heat up for at least a minute to make sure the voltage is correct and any issues with the machine are resolved.
Safety precautions for MIG welding
MIG welding produces a high number of sparks. It’s important to protect yourself and others from these sparks. There are a few ways to do this :
- Wear eye protection when welding.
- Wear a welding jacket or vest.
- Welding gloves are a great idea as well.
Mig Welding Basics – Things You will Need
Welding machine – To weld, you will need a welder. Your welder can be a gas-or gas-less welder. It can also be a stick welder or a flux-cored arc welder.
Shielding gas – You will need shielding gas to weld. It can be either argon or CO2.
Welding cables – You will need welding cables to weld. They can be made of high tensile steel, aluminum, copper, or carbon fiber.
Power source – You will need a power source to run your welder. Your power source can be a standard electrical outlet, a generator, or a portable power source.
Ground cable – You will need a ground cable to ground your welder. It can be made of steel, aluminum, copper, or carbon fiber.
Welder wire feeder – You will need a welder wire feeder to feed your welding cable. They can be made of steel, aluminum, copper, or carbon fiber.
Welding manual – You will need a welding manual for your welder. It can be either a manual provided by the manufacturer, or a manual provided by an expert.
Get set up and weld
Before you get your welding machine set up to weld, You will want to do a few things first. First, You will want to make sure your work piece is secured. This means it’s held down, or welded to the work piece below it.
- Check your work piece’s stability or bracing.
- Check your work piece’s alignment.
- Check the ground conditions.
Once you have done those things, you are ready to get your welding machine set up and ready to weld. What You will want to do is get the shielding gas flowing through your piping. Then, you will want to make sure your electrode is heated up, you have your ground cable connected to your ground post, and your power source is plugged in. Your next step is to check your welder’s shield gas setting. This will tell you what gas you’ll be using for the
