Re: MIG Welding From Absolute Zero Experience (From Zero to MIG)

MY FIRST ENCOUNTER:

Metal Preparation:

Some scrap metals from the local junk shop.

Wire brushed.

Cup brushed using an angle grinder (my first time also in using an angle grinder)
Parang hindi tama ang kulay ng metal. Mukhang painted yung metal surface.

Metal was further cleaned using an angle grinder. This time with a grinding disk.

I remember, in one of the post, it was pointed out that metal preparation is very important in MIG welding.

Re: MIG Welding From Absolute Zero Experience (From Zero to MIG)

That's more like it.

Grid lines as guide.

To be continued. . . .

Re: MIG Welding From Absolute Zero Experience (From Zero to MIG)

Looking good bro ... fire it up.

Jay

Re: MIG Welding From Absolute Zero Experience (From Zero to MIG)

Hey chrsraz,

Yeah, we're looking forward to your journey and ever first weld bead applications and mind you bro we do not
criticize, we encourage more, good or bad weld applications. We are here all to be inspired and learn
from every members specially in metal working.

So GO GO GO!! Hit that Mig gun trigger and start applying those weld beads.
Reminder bro to properly protect your self, don't forget your PPEs !!

GOOD LUCK and stay safe !! :2thumbsup::whistle:

Re: MIG Welding From Absolute Zero Experience (From Zero to MIG)

Thanks sir Rosy for the encouragement.

Hi sir JayL. I've read your MIG welding threads from beginning to end at least three times already and learned a lot from it. Very informative. I'm actually using it as my guide.

Thanks so much guys.

Re: MIG Welding From Absolute Zero Experience (From Zero to MIG)

MY FIRST WELD BEADS

MIG wire: 0.9mm flux core wire for mild steel (gasless)

Settings was based the set-up chart on the MIG welder:
Material thickness: 3.0mm
Output voltage: 3 on the selector switch
Wire speed: 8 on the continuously variable selector knob
Polarity: Torch negative

I don't know what the voltage and wire speed equivalent. Nothing is written on the manual. Next time I'll check the output voltage on each of the 4 settings on the selector switch and the wire speed on the variable wire speed knob (1-10). Based on the materials I read, it's the voltage that is being adjusted on MIG machines, as opposed to Arc welding where adjustment is based on the amperage.

1st Round

After being wire brushed

Here's a closer look

Ouch... this looks terrible...

Re: MIG Welding From Absolute Zero Experience (From Zero to MIG)

2nd Round

Here's a closer look

3rd Round

Hmmmm. . . lets see. . . some more please. . .

Re: MIG Welding From Absolute Zero Experience (From Zero to MIG)

4th Round

After the 4th run, excitement sets in and I completely forgot to take pictures.

The next thing I know, the metal plate was riddled with welds. He he he. . .

Please forgive me guys. Next time I'll try to control myself.:)

Re: MIG Welding From Absolute Zero Experience (From Zero to MIG)

Here's a closer look

I think I got myself a new hobby.

It's been a while since I felt that feeling. It was like a child getting his dream toy from Santa on Christmas day. Come to think of it, malapit na pala ang Christmas. Hmmmm.... pwede pa kaya ako mag wish kay Santa? Diba Red and kulay ng Pasko? Pero mas favorite ko yatang color Power of Blue... este blue pala. 😀

Stop muna shooting steel. Burning steel naman.

Till next practice session...

Re: MIG Welding From Absolute Zero Experience (From Zero to MIG)

I noticed there was too much spatter.

Probable Cause:

1. Settings
a. High voltage setting.
b. Too much wire speed

2. Flux core wire

3. Metal Prep

According to one of the videos I watched and some articles I read, spatter cannot really be avoided when using Flux Core Wire on MIG welding process. However, it may be minimized by finding the sweet spot on the settings.

Quality of the welding wire is also a major factor.

Or maybe the metal being welded was not properly cleaned. There may still be oil or rust on the metal being welded.

At this point I cannot really tell. Maybe with more practice, it will come.

Right now, I'm still trying to acquaint myself with the process and just stick with the recommended settings based on the setup chart on the machine.

🙂

On the next practice session, I will do some tack welds and try running some continuous welds.

Re: MIG Welding From Absolute Zero Experience (From Zero to MIG)

Not bad for a beginner bro..normal lang naman ang spatter sa FCAW process actually mas marami pang mag produce ng spatter ang flux core kesa stick welding..regarding sa wire feed speed..watch this..

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=msjRV-DVRQo

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Re: MIG Welding From Absolute Zero Experience (From Zero to MIG)

Thanks sir bugel. I watched the video that you recommend. I will definitely do it on the next practice session. Great info. It really feels nice to get inputs from one of our gurus. Thanks again. Hope to meet you guys soon.

Re: MIG Welding From Absolute Zero Experience (From Zero to MIG)

Hey chrsraz,

In addition to bro bugel's suggested video, here are two more vidz that may be helpful on your
Mig welding journey though there are a hundred more or so you can watch on YouTube to aide or help you in learning the welding process.

links:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7r437J7EO5A

and

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_f54YG08CC4

CHEERS and enjoy your practice sessions !! 😉

Re: MIG Welding From Absolute Zero Experience (From Zero to MIG)

@rosy
Thanks for the video link sir rosy. Very informative materials indeed.

It's been a while since I had my first practice session. After the very long wait, I finally had the time for a second round.

So here it is.

My second practice session:

Practice metals prepped up.

Hmmm... nice and clean...

Edges tack welded

Ready for welding