Welding is without a doubt one of the most popular hobbies out there, and you might be ready to jump right in, but before you do so there are a few things you will need to know regarding MIG welding and its basic applications. The first and most important thing to understand is the concept of MIG welding and how it is different from any other type of welding:
MIG Welding: The acronym breaks down to Metal Inert Gas, and until very recently the gas would have been far too expensive for the standard individual to actually purchase and use. These days however MIG welding is much cheaper, and there are several other things that you will need to concern yourself with.
Rust: Rust is a natural occurrence and when you open your box of MIG wire you will need to inspect it thoroughly for this anomaly. A quick look over the surface of the spool should tell all, and you will want to ensure all of the intruding rust is gone, even if that requires pulling a section of the MIG wire. Leaving the rust intact can serve to be rather detrimental to your welding project.
Placing the Spool: As you prepare to place the spool, take a good note of where the MIG wire starts. The start will be relatively obvious as a piece of the MIG wire will be sticking through the side of the spool. Keep this in mind as you are setting up the spool as if you will need to remove this bent end from the spool and clip it off using a pair of wire cutters.
Feeding the Wire: We cannot say this enough, do NOT feed the wire from the bottom of the spool! Make sure you feed from the top of the spool as this will reduce tension on the wire.
Safety: There are a number of different safety precautions that you must take in the interest of protecting yourself during your MIG welding experience. First of all, this is a welding method, and with that being the case it will be important for you to actually wear a welding helmet, and you can purchase a decent one for under $50 so long as you aren’t looking for all the bells and whistles. In addition to that you should always point the welding nozzle away from you even if you are only feeding the wire. This is a mistake that many people will make, and it should be understood that the MIG wire can pass through a human hand or other body part if allowed.
These are just a few of the basics of course, and you will undoubtedly run into a number of different steps and precautions that you must take in order to develop a decent weld. Remember that MIG welding can be utilized in the repair of automobiles, the construction of sculptures, and even functional items such as fences. Understanding the safety aspect is important, and as you delve deeper, you will discover an entirely new world.