After more than a month of back reading on welding threads on this forum, watching tutorial videos on youtube, reading the manual and watching the DVD that comes with the MIG welder and reading a book or two about the topic, my MIG welder has not seen action yet.
Come to think of it. I haven’t ever laid a single bead of weld myself.
But honestly, your threads were very encouraging.
Hmmm. . . so why not do it now?
If our moderators would allow, I wish to share step by step my encounters while learning how to weld. Hopefully, with the help of our gurus, I’ll be able to do it right. If not, “Nothing is completely worthless, it can always serve as a bad example.” He he he. . . Feel free to criticize so that we can learn in the process.
So here it goes. . .
Equipment Check:
1. Cigweld MIG-135
2. CO2 Gas Regulator with Heater
3. 15lbs. CO2 Tank
4. 100mm Angle Grinder
5. Clamps
6. Vise-Grip
7. Hand tools
Consumables:
1. .8mm Flux Core Wire
2. .9mm Flux Core Wire
3. .8mm CO2 Gas Wire
4. Spare .8mm Contact Tip
5. Spare .9mm Contact Tip
6. Nozzle Cream
7. 100mm Grinding Disk
8. 100mm Cutting Disk
9. 70mm Cup Brush
10. Soap Stone
11. Scrap Metals for practice
Safety Gears:
1. ADH
2. Welding Gloves
3. Working Gloves
4. Face Shield
5. Ballistic Glasses
6. Respirator Mask
7. Ear Muff
8. Long Sleeves
9. Maong Pants
10. Leather Shoes
REALITY CHECK:
1. Experience - zero
2. Theoretical knowledge – minimal
3. Excitement – overflowing
4. Encouragement – maximum
5. Physical condition - Average
:banana1:
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
Millermatic 180 Autoset Mig Welder
Miller Spoolmate 100 Spool Gun
Victor Firepower 350 Oxy Ace Outfit
3M Speedglas 9002X AD Helmet
Makita LC1230 Dry Cut Saw
Ingersoll Rand Air Tools
Snap On Tools
Metabo Power Tools
Norseman Drill Cutting Tools
Bosch Power Tools
3M PPS
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:
CIGWELD Weldskill 250 amp Mig Welder
AHP Alpha-TIG 200X welder
HITRONIC 300 Amp DC Inverter IGBT Welder
YAMATO 300 amp AC Stick Welder
YAMATO 200 amp DC Inverter IGBT Welder
DeWALT Chopsaw
HOBART and ESAB Welding Helmets
cloned STIHLs
MS 044 chainsaw
MS 070 chainsaw
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 !! 😉
CIGWELD Weldskill 250 amp Mig Welder
AHP Alpha-TIG 200X welder
HITRONIC 300 Amp DC Inverter IGBT Welder
YAMATO 300 amp AC Stick Welder
YAMATO 200 amp DC Inverter IGBT Welder
DeWALT Chopsaw
HOBART and ESAB Welding Helmets
cloned STIHLs
MS 044 chainsaw
MS 070 chainsaw
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
