How to Run Good MIG Welds

Some of the problems you can run into and what to do if you get in a snag.

Category:

Education

Tags:

• physical
• science
• engineering
• shielding
• gas
• argon
• co2

[TheLightningStalker]

swesnipe93 said:

I have just started welding in school and you have a lot of good information. But I think that you should get someone else to do the welding cause it (I am sorry but I have to be honest) looks like garbage. I dont know so much about the gas and stuff but my welds look a lot better.

[TheLightningStalker]

I replied:

When you're starting out, it builds confidence when everything is going well, and that's good. Once you begin to set up the equipment yourself, you'll eventually run into problems. Be sure to read the video description and author comments before posting your own. Thanks for being honest and sharing your opinion.

[TheLightningStalker]

Just a little update: I called ESAB and asked about this problem, and they recommend storing Dual Shield 7000 wire in a rod oven. You'll notice that it comes on a wire basket type spool instead of plastic, which would obviously melt in a rod oven.

Otherwise, the wire absorbs moisture from the atmosphere and it causes "bubbles" in the weld, aka, holes, voids, etc. Moisture also causes hydrogen embrittlement, which makes the weld crack easy.

[bicycleabused]

why do ou hit it witht that hammer there shouldnt be any slag only arc welding gives you slag

[TheLightningStalker]

Because there is slag.

[Dammmj]

ru running flux core wire with gas over that?? cause wtf tehre should be no slag if your running hard wire

[TheLightningStalker]

Yeah, it's ESAB Dual Shield wire and that particular wire requires shielding gas even though it's flux core. It's rare, most other flux core wires are gasless.

[Firepower357]

I do welding/fabrication for a major corporation that makes cryogenic tanks. I typically do 1/2-3/4 inch fillets on 1 3/4" thick I-beams to 2 inch pads or so. At my work station I have a Miller MIG setup with 1/16" ER70-6 Lincoln wire out of a Tweco torch. I've only been welding for about 90 days on the job. I tend to have issues with undercut and the fillet being too far down on the base metal on multi stack welds. Any ideas for wire speed or techniques that I could use to improve?

[Harleyman440]

lmao

[MXNASSASIIN]

I REMEMBER THIS CAME OUT ON 1000 WAYS TO DIE...LOL

[commando7144]

don`t chip on stainless.if you don`t have sheilding gas and just flux its all good. cone could be plugged up or most likly the wind.remeber when you fab to make the weld/work for you like tacking a strut or leg out of square so it walks to square and don`t tack on the low spot.like with tubing use a square to find the longest point to tack first.don`t ever bend sheet metal to make it square it will warp and collars must be tacked in a relaxed state if you use clamps for a better fit =wavey shit

[FREEHANDILLUSTRATOR]

LOL - if your garage is like mine... I think most people's garages are like yours - just because most people never purchase a garage door opener.

[MMilitia2006]

Wtf was that? Omg.Wow is all I can say

[SuperRedneck2000]

Shity welds! And how do you have slag when you are mig welding with gas!

[72533]

@bicycleabused mig welding is arc welding and so is "stick" welding. they are both forms of arc welding

[HotNewJoints101]

wind can be a huugggee factor in shitty welds. i know of a place who kept getting shitty welds. well a friend of mine who is a welding inspector went into the place and they were running fans... he turned them off and boom... perfect. you reallyyy need to be indoors with vetalation to get good welds

[Ampdriver]

Did'nt once see you clean your surface. Might've made a big difference