MIG welding tips.

[heyutokyo]

So to start off I just want to put it out there I've never welded.

I have a MIG welding machine at my house that belongs to my dad and I am really interested in learning how to use it. Is there any tips or suggestions you'd give as far as learning how to use it on my own. I have nobody that I can ask for help so I would like to learn on my own. What are some of the things I should know about welding with this MIG. Any knowledge you can offer is much appreciated. Thanks!

 

[trvshonda]

Need some more info on what kind of mig welder it is. Is it setup for gas? Or is it setup for flux core wire? Once we have alittle more info on the welder its self then we can give you more info on what it would work best on. Also makes a differnce if it is a 220v or a 110v welder.

 

[ckpitt55]

check out weldingtipsandtricks.com. some really good info to get you started

 

[02RedWS6TA]

YouTube has a ton of informative videos when it comes to pretty much anything. Like the guy above said, wedlingtipsandtricks has lots of videos.

You can generally put in what make/model welder you have and people will have videos using it/setting it up.

 

[1967lemans]

Well for starters you may want to familiarize yourself with the hazards and safety practices of welding.
As stated there are a ton of videos and websites that can help you.
Learn to recognize a poor weld. Learn your weld defects, what causes them, and how to avoid them.
Once you have an idea on what your doing, practice your vertical, horizontal, and overhead welds.

 

[JerryC]

I'm new to mig. Just finished the 2lb spool that came with welder, that new.
Spend a couple of weeks to a month reading and watching videos before you plug in the welder.

Advice from newbie and maybe not worth what you paid for it.

Clean and prep the material, if you try to weld over rust you'll learn really quick that doesnt work well. Cleaner is better.

A good ground is essential.

Measure, measure and measure again before you either cut or weld.

You never have enough clamps or grinders.

Gas is so much better than flux core...

As a beginner, if you can't see it, you can't weld it. An auto dark helmet helped me tremendously, it's a cheap one from Northern Tools and the even cheaper one from Harbor Freight works about as well.

 

[BIG Eric]

Check your local community college. I am taking a MIG class right now I am sure that I will burn through more material ( at my cost and time) than what the class costs. $520 with books. You will learn the right way to prepare a joint for welding and many times they have open times that you can come in and practice more.

 

[NRDave]

Sit. Weld, weld, weld. And weld some more after that.

 

[Bar Ditch]

Do what ckpitt55 said and go to weldingtipsandtricks.com. I prefer YouTube for his videos rather than his site. Jody knows his stuff and very well produced videos that really give newbies to welding a proper idea of what good welding techniques and preparation can produce. Then practice and practice and when done with that practice some more. Good luck!

 

[R.Anderson]

Third welding tips and tricks .com

All the above.

-Safety First, hood, gloves, jacket, pants not shorts, preferably boots not shoes, aware of heat, electrical, compressed gas hazards

-Proper tools and setup, Grinder, wire brush, pliers, wire cutter, or welpers, clamps would help, shielding gas bottle and regulator, and proper wire

-material pretty much what you want to weld

-Time for practice and try not to get discouraged it takes time and practice to weld good
-The most important part -try to have fun with it-

Like trvshonda said.
We need to know what you have to help you with your setup.

With knowing if your doing it right or not get a camera and post pictures of your welds here and get them critiqued, can't figure something out, or to get pointers.