If you’re just starting out on your welding journey, you’ll want to learn how to MIG weld. Not only is it the easiest welding technique to learn, but you can also build your MIG welding setup on a fairly modest budget. Unlike stick welding or TIG welding, the MIG welding process takes more of a point-and-shoot approach – think of it as a high-voltage hot glue gun, with molten metal instead of glue. There’s a bit more to it than that, of course, but none of it is too technically advanced.
Understanding how to MIG weld
There’s a reason why MIG (Metal Inert Gas) welding is such a great technique for beginners – it doesn’t require you to use a foot pedal like TIG welding, or manually control an electrode holder like with stick welding. Knowing how to MIG weld doesn’t involve the use of both hands and a foot, or careful manipulation of multiple parts. As long as you have the correct setup and preparation, you just have to make sure that there’s enough wire in the welder, and enough gas in the can.
How to MIG weld for beginners
Anyone who wants to learn how to use a MIG welder doesn’t actually have too much to catch up on. As long as they know the right background information (which type of currents are used, best welding safety practices, what a strong weld looks like, etc.), it’s mostly a matter of knowing how to setup a MIG welder correctly, and then pulling the trigger.
Step 1: Select your MIG welder
Assuming you’re more of a DIY enthusiast than a professional, there’s no need to go for the most powerful MIG welder on the market. Unless you’ll be regularly welding 1”-thick steel plates, something in the 140- to 185-amp range will work just fine. Besides, even if you do end up working on thicker pieces of metal, you can always bevel them and weld several passes.
You should also avoid the other extreme: going for the cheapest MIG welder you can find. You’ll get what you pay for, and it won’t be much. If you don’t have a lot to spend on a welder, look for a used unit that’s made by a reputable brand. As long as you trust the buyer to sell you something that’s still in good condition, it’s hard to go wrong with this option.
No matter what projects you’re planning on completing, you should get a MIG welder that can be hooked up to a gas tank. Without this, you’ll be stuck with flux core wire, which limits the range of your MIG welder’s usefulness. You can’t weld aluminum with flux core wire, for example – not a great outcome if you want flexibility in the welding projects you choose.
Step 2: Buy your safety equipment
You know what people look like after falling asleep in a tanning booth? That (or worse) is also what can happen without the proper welding safety equipment. Consider this your safety starter pack for learning how to MIG weld:
- Welding gloves
- A welding helmet
- Heavy-duty shoes (such as leather boots)
- Long-sleeved cotton shirt and full-length pants (avoid synthetic materials)
- Welding sleeves for overhead welding projects
- Welding curtains if children will be present
If you use the right precautions when learning how to MIG weld, you’ll be dealing with a manageable level of risk. Start taking shortcuts on safety, though, and you’ll be setting yourself up for an accident that could have been prevented. When in doubt, err on the side of caution – and make sure you have everything on this list before you start welding.
Step 3: Tune the MIG welder
One of the most common problems when learning how to MIG weld is an incorrectly tuned welder. This may be the easiest welding technique, but it isn’t foolproof; you may have to adjust the settings before you get the weld you want.
In order to tune your MIG welder, you’ll either have to adjust the wire speed, or the voltage. If the wire is being fed out too quickly, it won’t have time to melt correctly; you just have to lower the wire speed. If the voltage is too high, the bead will flatten out, resulting in a weaker weld. There should be a chart inside the welding machine that tells you which settings to use; this should help resolve any issues.
Step 4: Use the right angle
Assuming you’re using gas while MIG welding, you’ll need to use a 15 ̊ angle. This lets you see the weld puddle, and it ensures adequate gas coverage. With too much of an angle, the gas won’t be able to cover the weld; this results in a porous weld, and a weak seam.
If you’re learning how to MIG weld without using gas, you can use flux core wire instead. The flux essentially does the same thing as the gas – protects the weld from rust. This is a great option for some metals, but not for all of them. Using gas while MIG welding gives you more versatility, as long as the gas flow doesn’t get disrupted by windy conditions.
Step 5: Start welding!
You know how to setup a MIG welder, you’ve learned about the MIG welding process, and you have all the right safety equipment. It’s time to pull the trigger! Literally – all that’s left is to plug in the machine, and pull the trigger to start welding.
You’ll see an arc coming from the nozzle, the wire will be automatically fed into the weld pool, and gas will start flowing from the nozzle. At this stage, it’s important to go at exactly the right speed. To slow, and you’ll burn a hole in the metal. Too fast, and the metal won’t melt properly, resulting in a weak weld. For most welding projects, you should aim for about 1 inch every 10 seconds.
It’s recommended to MIG weld steel at first, simply because it’s an easy metal to weld. Pick a piece that isn’t too thick, and see how it goes – pretty soon, you’ll know exactly how to MIG weld.
Have you made up your mind yet?
Getting into the world of welding may seem intimidating, but MIG welding makes it easier to start the process. You don’t need a huge budget, and you don’t have to master sophisticated techniques in order to get a decent end result. If you have your heart set on becoming a welder, you can’t go wrong with learning how to MIG weld.
