Basic MIG Welding
Good weld quality and weld profile
depends on gun angle, direction of travel, electrode
extension (stick out), travel speed, thickness of base
metal, wire feed speed and arc voltage. To follow are
some basic guides to assist with your setup.
Gun Position - Travel Direction, Work Angle:
Gun
position or technique usually refers to how the wire
is directed at the base metal, the angle and travel
direction chosen. Travel speed and work angle will
determine the characteristic of the weld bead profile
and degree of weld penetration Push Technique - The
wire is located at the leading edge of the weld pool
and pushed towards the un-melted work surface.
This technique offers a better view of the weld joint
and direction of the wire into the weld joint.
Push technique directs the heat away from the
weld puddle allowing faster travel speeds providing
a flatter weld profile with light penetration - useful
for welding thin materials. The welds are wider and
flatter allowing for minimal clean up / grinding time.
Perpendicular Technique -
The wire is fed directly
into the weld, this technique is used primarly for
automated situations or when conditions make it
necessary. The weld profile is generally higher
and a deeper penetration is achieved.
Drag Technique -
The gun and wire is dragged
away from the weld bead. The arc and heat is
concentrated on the weld pool, the base metal
receives more heat, deeper melting, more
penetration and the weld profile is higher with
more build up.
flat even weld profile
light penetration
narrower weld profile
even penetration
narrow higher
weld profile more
penetration
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