I want to start eventually welding starting out with Mig. just wondering if there's any helpful hints as to a first-timer. should I weld in a circular motion or another type motion? any more info would be greatly appreciated. TIA.

 

This motion tends to work...

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(straight line)

 

do a search on here, this topic has been discussed multiple times.

 

http://groups-beta.google.com/...hl=en

use the search box at the top right

 

thanks. sorry for the repost

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by backpurge &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">This motion tends to work...

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(straight line)</TD></TR></TABLE>

ditto on that...I'm a beginner MIG welder too and I tried the circular motion and it didn't look so good. I have a hard enough time making a straight bead, circular beads and zigzagging would require a lot more practice before I can make those work.

 

The technique you use would also be dependant on what kind of weld you are doing.

What position the base metal is in.

 

There is so much to welding that a class or a welding book would be a great investment. I would suggest reading a good welding book and then just weld weld weld.

 

learning to weld with a MIG isnt a very good idea i think. Its basically a molten steel squirt gun. You wont get as good a feel for how the puddle forms and how the metal moves. I started with an oxy acetylene setup and it really helped me figure out how to MIG weld easily. My first MIG welds looked great and have only improved from there and I attribute it to getting a good feel for melting metal with the oxy/acet rig.

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by StanBo &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">The technique you use would also be dependent on what kind of weld you are doing.

What position the base metal is in.

</TD></TR></TABLE>

exactly. you need to develop a repertoire of techniques to cover different joints and positions.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by BlueShadow &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

ditto on that...I'm a beginner MIG welder too and I tried the circular motion and it didn't look so good. I have a hard enough time making a straight bead, circular beads and zigzagging would require a lot more practice before I can make those work.</TD></TR></TABLE>

I was told from a professional welder, that they do not believe in the circular motion, they believe in the zig zag motion

 

There is more to the zigzag motion. There are spots where you pause and build the puddle.

Why don't you guys start with stick SMAW welding. I know TIG is the popular one out there as well as MIG but you can do work that will surprise people with stick welding.

Also maybe take a month or so of weekends and work with a welder as an apprentice. You would learn a lot.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by 90blackcrx &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

I was told from a professional welder, that they do not believe in the circular motion, they believe in the zig zag motion</TD></TR></TABLE>

Yeah if you move in a circular you risk trapping the slag in the middle of the weld if stick welding.

Tig there is still some ash/residue.

I have not started MIG in class yet but I think that is next week.

Two months in and one left to go!

 

id have to agree with bailhatch and say that oxy/ace. welding is what i would recommend starting out with.. when i took a class that was the first method taught because you get a better understanding if what welding is all about... i must have spent a full month straight working on gas until i had it perfect... mig i spent a day and i had it down good... i had good success making a zigzag pattern and listening for the correct sound the welding was making to determine the speed to set the welder... tig is just like gas... all about being comfortable and having the correct angles....