There’s nothing like the smell of fresh-cut metal to get your blood pumping. Cutting steel can make you feel alive, and if you work with MIG welders, there’s no greater feeling than making your custom pieces of steel. But be aware: MIG welding takes work. It’s one of those crafts that requires plenty of practice (and often some trial and error) to master. Fortunately for us aspiring welders/fabricators out there, we’ve compiled a list of mistakes we’d like you to avoid when using a MIG torch and how to avoid them.
Make sure to make welds that are the right size and shape.
We want to ensure that you don’t make welds of the wrong size or shape. There’s nothing worse than having a joint that doesn’t fit together properly, or worse still one that won’t stay together!
To avoid this pitfall, we recommend using a magnifier when working with your MIG welder so that you can see what is happening at any given time. The magnifier will help ensure that you’re making properly sized and shaped welds so there are no problems later down the line when it comes time for maintenance work or repairs on your car parts (or whatever else!).
Use a gas shield that’s just a little smaller.
If you’re using a gas shield that’s too big, the weld will have excess spatter and may even be uneven. Too large also increases the chance of hot spots in your welds. The right size fits around your work piece but does not cover it completely; this way, you can see what’s happening with each pass of the wire feeder and keep any imperfections from being hidden by extra shielding material. (Adderall)
Don’t use a gas shield that isn’t big enough.
- Don’t use a gas shield that isn’t big enough.
- Use the right size of a gas shield when welding with a mig welder.
- If you don’t have enough room around your work piece, consider using an extension rod to provide extra space for moving around and making sure everything is as clear as possible before starting up your machine.
Don’t let your MIG welding wire get too hot.
If you’ve ever been on the receiving end of a melted wire, it’s probably because your MIG welding wire was too hot. The heat from the torch can melt the tip of the wire, which will burn through your puddle and into your fingers if you’re not careful.
To avoid this problem:
- Keep an eye on the temperature of your MIG welding wire as it heats up during use. When used properly (and not too frequently), most brands have temperatures that are safe for use with no need to worry about melting them down into something unrecognizable within minutes after starting up again after breaking away from whatever project they were previously working on; however, sometimes things may get out of hand quickly when using higher temperatures such as those found in industrial machines or large welders so always be aware of how hot things are getting.
Don’t solder when you don’t need to.
Soldering is a good way to join metals but it can be time-consuming. Soldering isn’t necessary if you are joining two pieces of metal that are already the same size and shape. You may still want to solder if your parts differ from the same size or shape (for example, one part is larger than another).
If you’re using a mig welder instead of an arc welder, make sure your welding tip fits properly into both ends of each piece before starting up—this is especially important if you’re working with different types of metals like stainless steel and aluminum.
Never leave a stick-out wire unattended.
If you are going to leave the welder unattended, turn it off. If you are going to leave the welder unattended, unplug it. If you are going to leave the welder unattended, remove any wire sticking out of your machine that may trip up someone who doesn’t know what they’re doing (and if they do know what they’re doing).
You can avoid these mistakes and get the most out of your MIG welder.
MIG welding is a great way to weld. It’s safe, fast, and easy.
But while all this may sound like a no-brainer, there are some pitfalls that many people need help with when using their MIG welder. So the next time you’re thinking about getting started with a MIG welder, check out these tips:
Conclusion
The way to utilize a MIG welder is knowing how to utilize it appropriately, and following these tips will assist you with benefiting from your machine. Recollect that an inappropriate arrangement can prompt a terrible weld or, much more dreadful, a messed up instrument. If in doubt, check out your owner’s manual for more information on proper assembly and usage procedures. And if you have any questions about what might be causing your problem, don’t hesitate to contact us.
