Need mig welding tips

[tspring1]

I have just started to reach myself to mig weld today and need some tips. What pressure should the gas be turned on to. When I touch the wire to the metal it sparks and all of the wire sticking out of the tip is gone and I have to run more wire out. Any tips will be helpful.

 

[Gary S]

Since I know almost nothing about welding, my advice is to find someone who is good at it and spend some time with them learning.
I bought my wire feed welder about 20 years ago. I weld when the jobs aren't critical. My welds look like I'm an amateur, and I am.
Luckily, my Brother is a welder by profession so when I have something critical, I get him to do it and let me watch and learn.

 

[Stpman]

I have just started to reach myself to mig weld today and need some tips. What pressure should the gas be turned on to. When I touch the wire to the metal it sparks and all of the wire sticking out of the tip is gone and I have to run more wire out. Any tips will be helpful.

What kind of welder is it, some of the old cheaper machines had a "live wire" and the wire is hot all the time not just when the trigger is pressed

 

[tspring1]

Its a 120 volt cambell husfield.

 

[Stpman]

Its a 120 volt cambell husfield.

if you don't have a manual with the machine go google one ane read through it, also go to the Millar website and you'll find lots of good info there.

http://www.millerwelds.com/

 

[RS1970]

Another option is a book sold at Lowes by the welders. I believe it's called The Welders Handbook. I've looked through it there and it seems to cover the basics at least.

 

[71flh]

Try spending some time on youtube . Its mostly BS, but after a few hours you might get an idea.

And practice... Think of the weldr as a toy. Weld, weld, etc...

 

[Rumpity_z28]

mine has recomended settings on the inside of the panel, i find that gets you pretty close then you can fine tune your wire speed from there.
In the scenerio you described there where your wire is being burned away that fast you'll have to turn up your wire speed and or turn down your heat.

 

[night rider]

Gas setting between 20 and 30 on your reg. I keep mine around 25

The cheaper machines has a live wire, so that jus means be ready to weld as soon as you touch the metal. Have finger on trigger and as soon as you arc it pull trigger and get your weld puddle going, then start running your bead.

 

[WA70SSRAT]

I took a one day class at my local community college, cost $175, I'm far from being any sort of expert, but I got enough info to get myself into trouble.....just an idea....