MIG Welder Operation
Filed Under MIG &TIG Welder Basics |
Metal Inert Gas or MIG welders use a consumable wire feed electrode that provides molten metal for the joint. Lincoln MIG welders and Miller MIG welders use this method.Heat is generated in the process between the electrode and the work metal. A spatter of hot particles is produced in this process which make it difficult for the operator to see the weld and also causes damage nearby parts of the work. Some gasless MIG welders use flux which also produces smoke and may contaminate the weld.
The process is much faster than a TIG weld, which is cleaner, but the chance of producing ‘Porosity’ is much higher. Porosity is the production of pockets of gases or other impurities in the weld. Inexperience operators may also fail to melt the base metal sufficiently for a good weld. Although the result may look good the weld will be weak due to the poor penetration and will only become apparent when the weld fails. This cannot occur in a TIG weld as the base metal is melted first before fillers are introduced, The wire employed in a MIG weld is harder when cooled than in TIG welding and can be difficult to work. Also build up of the melted wire needs to be ground off afterwards which can generate heat that can warp the base metal. This does not occur in a TIG weld as filler is added only when needed.so does not build up and reduces the neccessity of removing it afterwards. TIG welding produces much better results than other methods but does require a higher skill level.
In conclusion TIG welding is much cleaner than MIG welding. Avoid the use of MIG flux cored models as they produce smoke and are messy. They may not be powerful enough for many welding jobs. A small 110 volt welder will do a good job with some practice but choose a gas MIG model not a wire feed or flux cored model. Lincoln MIG welders and Miller MIG welders will serve you needs admirably.
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