School me on MIG welding

[CastleBravo]

So I know nothing of welding but two things.
1. How to spell it.
2. It makes metal stick to metal.

A friend has lent me his Miller 140 Auto-Set, a roll of HB-28 .030/8mm Solid Wire and a partial tank of mixed gas. I'd like to take on some small projects to get a feel for how this whole thing works.

So, school me on MIG welding!

 

[slice]

YouTube. Great start !!!

 

[saceone]

^^ this

https://www.youtube.com/user/ChuckE2009


I like him.

 

[mburrus]

http://www.weldingtipsandtricks.com

excellent site as well...

my tips are slow it down, and manage the over all heat you have in what ever your welding...

 

[Steevo]

MIG is awesome, especially if you are coming from simple arc welding.
MIG with gas as opposed to flux core is yet another step up in quality of weld and ease of making good welds.
It is almost self-teaching, but with so many great videos on you tube, why not watch, then weld?

 

[cspcrx]

Welding tips and tricks was a big help for me. I also found a local welding shop that offered one on one classes by the hour. Brought my machine and gear in and burnt some wire.

 

[Richard Cranium]

I wish there was a place here that would teach welding. I also have a mig welder and would like to learn to use it.

 

[3 Gun Shooter]

I wish there was a place here that would teach welding. I also have a mig welder and would like to learn to use it.

Are there any community colleges or maybe adult high schools near you?

 

[jimgood]

You got good advice already. Just grab some scrap metal, clamp the ground to it and go to town. Play with it. Stick some metal together and then cut a cross section. Bash it with a hammer to see how it holds up. Post pics of your welds here so others can critique them.

You can find scraps at most welding shops or machine shops.

 

[jimgood]

Oh, and this is an instructor led primer on MIG that covers ALL the basics.

 

[SteveH-CO]

If you have a scrap metal yard in your area, ask to look through what others have dropped off. Often, I find 1/4" plate scraps (punch-out stuff from mfg.) and you buy it by the pound/ton. Start with some thick metal to build your confidence, before trying to weld sheet metal. Make simple stuff like a steel swinging target (for shooting) or some yard art, or something with horseshoes. Have fun and be positive - it's a handy skill. You neighbors will think you're a hero when you fix their trailer or riding mower with a simple weld.

 

[jimgood]

CastleBravo, if you're in the northern part of VA, I'd be happy for you to come over and try out my MIG welders. I have flux core and MIG set up. I can't say I'll teach you how to weld because I'm self taught and don't really have that much experience. But you can get a feel for both welders to see what they can do and what's involved.

In fact, I even have an oxy-acetylene setup and you can play with that too. I actually think that's a better way to learn about puddle control.

 

[SamBrown]

There's some great tips here guys, looking into learning more about welding myself so gonna check out some of these websites

 

[imagineer]

From my own experience, torch control is everything. Learning what wire, at what amps on what material in what position will happen over time, but if you don't have good hand coordination and torch control, none of it will matter. Get in the habit of making practice passes, focusing on smooth, consistent motion. Even practice weaving and back-stepping.

Do this with the welder off, so you can also get used to the trigger too. Also, don't hold the torch like its a snake you are trying to choke the life out of. You want to keep flexibility in your torch hand, so grip the torch only as tight as needed to control it.

As others have said, the web is a great resource for info, but it doesn't hurt to make a bunch of dry runs to develop a feel for torch control.

 

[DpSyChO]

CastleBravo, if you're in the northern part of VA, I'd be happy for you to come over and try out my MIG welders. I have flux core and MIG set up. I can't say I'll teach you how to weld because I'm self taught and don't really have that much experience. But you can get a feel for both welders to see what they can do and what's involved.

In fact, I even have an oxy-acetylene setup and you can play with that too. I actually think that's a better way to learn about puddle control.

I'll throw out the save offer as jimgood if your in southwestern VA.
My oxy-acetylene setup is one of the "totes" with the small tanks from my HVAC days though so there may not be a lot of hands on time with it.