Helpfull Hints and tips for new/novice MIG/MAG welders

[pedrobedro]

Hold the torch with both hands or steady it with your opposite hand, it's easy to drift away from the metal or get the shakes as you get further away from your body.

 

[n1tr0_9luteloop]

If your doing a long run or complicated shape, with the power off run the torch along the planned path as if you were welding, to make sure you can reach comfortably and with control. Then when you actually start welding, your hands know where they are going.

 

[Seattle Smitty]

When you obtain metal for an project, get enough extra to make up test-coupons. Initially set the voltage and wirespeed with practice runs on junk metal, then start trying to make good welds on the test coupons, in any position you anticipate working in. Check weld penetration. MIG welding is the fastest way to make good-looking bad welds, that is, beads that look good from the outside but don't sufficiently penetrate the joint. Learn how to do your own destructive testing of your practice welds with a vise and a BFH. The best way to learn all of this is in a class with a professional welding instructor.

 

[Tino]

Keep your nozzle spatter free, clean it before starting, a heavy build up of spatter will cause turbulence in the gas flow, resulting in porosity.

 

[Tino]

If you are unfortunate and get a flash, arc eye or what ever you want to call it. A drop or two of eye dew (the stuff girls use to make their eyes whiter) in each eye will really help, feels like you have just put acid in your eye but then every thing settles down and is much better. Far better than cold tea bags which as far as I'm concerned do sod all. Costs about £4 and worth every penny when you need it. Try it you will be amazed how good it works.

 

[Welderpaul]

One other little tip. Make sure you are well covered up to prevent arc burn. I always wear overalls except for the last few days when it has been red hot. Today i have been wearing a thick, dark polo shirt, with seperate full length kevlar sleeves plus welding gauntlets. I have a lovely red patch on my left shoulder where the light has passed through and burnt.

Nice.

 

[Sparkey]

Keep your nozzle spatter free, clean it before starting, a heavy build up of spatter will cause turbulence in the gas flow, resulting in porosity.

Good point! or it causes porosity or the all the stuff falls out right in the middle of a weld! blooob!
Another thing that causes porosity is draft from a window or door when your shielding gas gets blown away, i have the problem a lot lately since it's tropical hot here in france and i can't do without my fan! it's nice and cool but it also blows my gas away!!!aaaaaargh!! so be careful how you point the thing!

 

[Welderpaul]

Another thing that causes porosity is draft from a window or door when your shielding gas gets blown away, i have the problem a lot lately since it's tropical hot here in france and i can't do without my fan! it's nice and cool but it also blows my gas away!!!aaaaaargh!! so be careful how you point the thing!

Or, as happens to me every so often...yer pal grinding or drilling close by - the draft from the powertool blows your shielding gas away!

 

[engybenjy]

Ive found that along with most things in life, the seven ' P 's hold true
I know I'm still pretty much a newbie when it comes to welding but the best bit of advice given to me so far is "preparation, preparation, preparation". And keep ya tip clean

Cheers, Ben

 

[Iain Westland]

"two coats of looking one coat of paint"

 

[mike os]

If, while you are welding something does not "feel" or "sound" right.... it probably isn't. So have a proper look at the weld.

 

[Iain Westland]

If, while you are welding something does not "feel" or "sound" right.... it probably isn't. So have a proper look at the weld.

funnily enough, even the first time you weld it will feel weired but if it feels wrong then yep, like as not it is.

Iain

 

[Delgado]

My 2 pence worth.....

After your first weld of the day remove the shroud and retighten the tip, as the heat from the weld often makes the thread that it screws into expand, making it come loose.

 

[STEELERJ-XL]

Hello all, my first post and my tip. Study, read, watch video on welding before touching a welder. I havn't touched one yet but when I do I want to have some knowledge on the inner workings of welding. I asked my boss at work if he could teach me to weld and he agreed but he wanted me to get online and learn about welding first. Thats his tip to me and me to you.

 

[Sparkey]

If, while you are welding something does not "feel" or "sound" right.... it probably isn't. So have a proper look at the weld.

Yup, when something goes wrong you'll hear or feel it when you're welding!

 

[Welderpaul]

Yeah, if you hear a bang while your welding, its usually a tack breaking elsewhere....stop and retack, cos if you keep on welding, chances are its quietly deforming!

 

[BChild]

I thought this thread was gonna fall on it's face but it's turning out quite nicely now

Keep it going people

 

[Nomad]

If welding outside or anywhere with draughts, turn the gas up
( I'm still learning, but I'm sure someone will let me know if I've got it too wrong )

 

[Iain Westland]

earth - look at your clamp and notice the earth lead is attached to one claw, make sure that claw is the primary earth. Took me a while to realise that it does make a difference, and spend as long making your earth point as your weld point. I tend to do mainly cars and use a decent part of the sill bottom as the earth, easy to underseal afterwards without attracting attention

Iain

its all one point so I havent broken any rules have I?

 

[Tino]

As you develop your welding skills practise welding in different directions. I am right handed so naturally weld right to left, this is fine most of the time, but on the job welds are often in difficult positions. If you have practised welding away from your self or left to right you will find it easier and less daunting to do when you have to (I've even had to weld left handed now and then, up ladders mostly).