Mig welding outside

[Adam Marshall]

Seen as I have been given a really good mig welder and have a full bottle of gas I would like to put it to use i have a few projects lined up but don't have any indoor room does anyone mig weld outside and in the same situation as me lol is it possible? Many thanks

 

[Omniata]

Is possible, you might need to (a) run more gas if only slightly windy, or erect a wind break of some description, (b) use gasless wire, messy, but copes well with wind, etc...
Note, you might need to find a way of warming the work piece if it's thicker material to stop cracking...

 

[Badger1bear]

95% of my mig work is outside. Generally I run at 15lpm and if it gets a tad breezy I up it to around 25. I also use the sniper technique........ If its a tad too windy and you only have a small amount to weld you wait for the wind to die down and then run your weld, stop when the wind picks up, wait motionless for your next opportunity to hit your target and then off you go again. I find wind breaks are more a nuisance than a help because the wind will either go under them or over them and still swamp your weld area and disturb your gas pool.

 

[Robotstar5]

As above, turn the gas up a bit and put up a wind break.

 

[gt6s]

Used to do it in work using a lump of cardboard and weld only when sheltered. But is a right PITA

Laurence

 

[arther dailey]

I only weld outside, just got to pick your days weather wise and use wind breaks,I generally use a small piece of folded tin which just gets moved around, dont bother when wind is up .Arther

 

[steveo3002]

i have to work outside , pick n choose your day if possible and /or make up a little 2 sided sheild to prop up near the work to deflect the worst of the wind

 

[Spark plug]

When I do it, doing repairs that can't be moved inside I usually find a happy helper to stand with an old blanket or coat to block the wind.

 

[Hood]

I mig Aluminium outside all the time and can be a right PITA at times. If you think wind is a pain for mig welding steel try Alu Gust of wind and watch the wire shoot right through the Alu you are welding
Often my work is on the slipway and that means I am often 10m or more above the seawall so really exposed. As has been mentioned the gas needs wound up and pick your moments (sniper technique, I like it ) also I often have to resort to trying to shield with my other hand, using cardboard or plywood etc rarely helps me, cupped gloved hand very close to where you are welding is better in my experience.

 

[gt6s]

I had enough problems MIG welding aluminium indoors. More time spent untangling birds nests than welding. That is why I now have an AC/DC TIG.

Laurence

 

[Hood]

I had enough problems MIG welding aluminium indoors. More time spent untangling birds nests than welding. That is why I now have an AC/DC TIG.

Laurence

Have Tig as well but a lot of my stuff is 6mm to 20mm so you would need one hell of a tig set and would be far too slow.

 

[Adam Marshall]

Thanks for all replies I am new to mig welding but I really enjoy doing it. When I adjust my wire speed I hear a buzzing sound and an occasional pop but not sizzling as explained on this site. Should I have turned wire speed up a tad or down? Thank you

 

[Spark plug]

Thanks for all replies I am new to mig welding but I really enjoy doing it. When I adjust my wire speed I hear a buzzing sound and an occasional pop but not sizzling as explained on this site. Should I have turned wire speed up a tad or down? Thank you

Really need to see some pics to give a proper diagnosis.

 

[angellonewolf]

depends on your weld as above post some pics theeree are some good people on here

i would try some scrap in the garage if it looks good then you need sheild on the same type stuff but there is more you can do

up the flow rate of gas when working out side / weld when wind is low time it

 

[Ed.]

Same as others pick your days, provide a small wind break if possible, increase the gas a bit. If the wind is still too strong wait for a better day.