The general guidelines for MIG welding are whip when welding thin metal or making the first pass in a joint, circles for a both thicker materials and wider welds. Weave for vertical up and down. My personal preference is to have the voltage at the maximum recommendation and just hold the MIG gun steady letting the MIG welder do the work.
Full Answer
When should you use a weaving pattern in MIG welding?
Like a shipyard, some places do not allow you to use a weaving pattern, but in general, you should use a weaving pattern when you are not working on a critical joint. If you want to learn more about weaving in MIG welding, continue reading.
What is a MIG welder used for?
MIG welding is a common welding process for beginners. Learn the basics for MIG welding mild steel with your Millermatic® MIG welder. MIG welding is an arc welding process in which a continuous solid wire electrode is fed through a welding gun and into the weld pool, joining the two base materials together.
What is the difference between whipping and weaving in welding?
If you want to use fillet welds or stringer beads, this technique works better than weaving. The whipping pattern contains the weld puddle in a small space. Beginners are often taught this technique because it saves the welder some time by heating the joint before it is filled with metal.
What is weave bead welding?
Weave Bead Welding! Weave bead welding is exactly as it sounds; you will make a weaving pattern in order to cover a larger area. You use this motion to make cover welds over stringer beads (multipass welding). In other words you use this when you are layering welds.
What are 7 common mistakes people make when they start MIG welding?
Facebook WatchThey don't prep their material.Volts too high or too low.Wire feed speed too high or too low.Electrical stick-out that is too long or short.Gas Flow too low or high.Travel speed too fast or slow.Gun angle to steep.
Should you whip when MIG welding?
The general guidelines for MIG welding are whip when welding thin metal or making the first pass in a joint, circles for a both thicker materials and wider welds. Weave for vertical up and down.
Can you weave MIG Weld?
2:254:323F 2 Pass Vertical MIG Weave - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipWe can do is something called a triangular weave. So for the first pass it's going to look kind ofMoreWe can do is something called a triangular weave. So for the first pass it's going to look kind of like. This. We go straight across then we go up into the root of the joint to get some penetration.
What is the purpose of a weave in welding?
Weave bead welding involves making a weaving pattern in order to cover a larger surface area. This motion allows you to make cover welds over stringer beads, otherwise known as multipass welding. This technique is used when you are layering welds among one another (making multiple welds on the same seam).
How do you MIG weld perfectly?
0:042:38Mig Welding Technique Taught by Old Timer - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipIn your mind's eye you just try to make the same distance loop every time. I'm gonna lap joint. YouMoreIn your mind's eye you just try to make the same distance loop every time. I'm gonna lap joint. You watch the top of the puddle.
Is it better to push or pull when MIG welding?
While pulling might create a deeper penetration, in most situations, pushing creates a flatter weld that covers more surface area. In some instances, this can create a stronger weld than what you might get with the pull technique. As mentioned, pulling allows you to watch your bead as its being produced.
Should you weave flux core?
When it comes to flux core, there's a correct technique to use when weaving is allowed, and there's an incorrect way also. In other words, always weave ahead of the solidified slag and never over it, otherwise you will end up with slag inclusions, and this should only be used in out of position deposits.
What is the strongest weld pattern?
TIG welding produces the strongest type of weld.
What MIG welding pattern to use?
0:217:18Simple MIG Welding Technique - Flat, Horizontal, Vertical & OverheadYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo for the flat the one F and the horizontal two F I'm gonna be using a slight pull angle a dragMoreSo for the flat the one F and the horizontal two F I'm gonna be using a slight pull angle a drag angle.
How do I keep my weld straight?
0:575:56Stick Welding - How to Keep Your Caps Straight - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThe left side of the portal with the left side of the bevel. And I just keep watching my foot on theMoreThe left side of the portal with the left side of the bevel. And I just keep watching my foot on the left side edge of my foot on I keep watching it all the way through all the way through.
How do you whip a MIG?
4:256:20HOW TO MIG LIKE TIG WELD (Stacking Dimes) W - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipRate fill up the joint. With filler wire. Once it's filled to make that. Nice. Clean looking bead.MoreRate fill up the joint. With filler wire. Once it's filled to make that. Nice. Clean looking bead. Then you pull back or whip. And then you pause. Again.
What is whipping in welding?
Whipping is a manipulative technique used by the experienced welder to help control the rate at which heat and filler metal are added to the weld puddle and provides the means by which he can control puddle size.
What is the whip and pause technique used for?
The whip and pause technique is used with high-cellulose electrodes, like E6010 and E6011. Move the electrode forward one electrode diameter and then backward one-half electrode diameter. This produces good penetration and a uniform ripple.
What does whipping mean welding?
Whips refer to a smaller diameter welding lead being attached to your regular sized welding lead. Often placed on the last 10 feet and then attached to your stinger, these whips come in handy for longer days on the job. They reduce weight and in turn will lessen fatigue on the arms.
What is a 7018 weld?
A good example is a grove weld. Start on one side, move quickly across the Gap, pause (1-2---) and move quickly back, advance, etc. SMAW: 7018 is a "contact" rod.
Can you drag a flux additive?
In most cases, not all, if there is a flux additive involved dragging is the best. It points the heat at the weld bead a little longer to allow the puddle to stay fluid long enough for all the slag to either float out or burn out.
What is weave welding?
Weaves are used for wider welds and range from a tight side to side motion that can be a stringer bead to welds that are wide and big for a single pass. Weaves are good for big joints that have no distortion issues. Just as a note in most shipyards weaving is not allowed. There is a formula that allows so much heat at a certain travel speed that excludes weaves from critical joints.
How to MIG weld?
There are two ways to MIG weld. The first and the most common is to push the MIG gun toward the direction of the weld, this is called forehand method. Forehand welding produces shallow penetration with a flat wide smooth surface. The second is backhand method where you drag the MIG gun like a Stick welder.
What is the best way to weld a MIG gun?
Flat Position MIG Welding Techniques. Flat welding is the easiest. Typically the MIG gun will be pushed, the angle of the MIG gun can be pointing straight down to leaning toward the direction of the weld up to 35 degrees. Use a high voltage setting that runs fast and hot.
How to weld a MIG gun vertically?
The MIG gun needs to be tilted up between 35 to 45 degrees. There is a trick to welding vertical down. You need to stay ahead of the puddle and keep the electrode moving from side to side. Otherwise the weld will not penetrate properly. Patterns don't really count as long as you stay ahead of the puddle.
What is the smallest factor in MIG welding?
Nothing works all of the time and it comes down to what works right for you. Weld techniques are the smallest factor in MIG welding!
What degree should a MIG gun be pointed?
Vertical up is the most difficult of the MIG welding positions. The MIG gun handle should be pointed up between 35 to 45 degrees. When welding vertical up you need to build a shelf of weld to work upward on. The vertical up weld in MIG is typically very convex.
What is steady motion welding?
A steady motion is the most basic technique and requires the MIG welder be set exactly as needed. It is what most robots use to weld and it can produce a perfect weld in any position. It comes down to machine settings, electrode angle and travel speed. The basics of a steady motion are the hotter the setting in most cases the better the weld. There is not much to this technique except get everything set right. I do want to mention this is the techniques used for most out of position aluminum MIG welding. Besides that it is all self explanatory.
What is MIG welding?
MIG welding is an arc welding process in which a continuous solid wire electrode is fed through a welding gun and into the weld pool, joining the two base materials together. A shielding gas is also sent through the welding gun and protects the weld pool from contamination. In fact, MIG stands for metal inert gas.
How to ensure strong welds on thicker metal?
Any electrical impedance will affect wire feeding performance. To ensure strong welds on thicker metal, bevel the joint to ensure the weld fully penetrates to the base metal. This is especially important for butt joints.
Why do welders use drag and push?
But because of gravity, travel speeds must be fast enough so that the weld metal does not fall out of the joint. Also for this reason, weave beads should not be too wide. Lowering the voltage and amperage help keep the weld puddle small and more controllable (which is why you might want to consider using a smaller diameter wire).
Why is there a hesitation at the top of the weld?
A slight hesitation at the top toe of the weld helps prevent undercut and ensure proper tie-in of the weld to the base metal. Voltage and amperage settings for welding in the horizontal position are usually the same or slightly less than settings for welding in the flat position.
What is the best way to weld mild steel?
When MIG welding mild steel, you can use either the push or pull technique, but note that pushing usually offers a better view and enables you to better direct wire into the joint.
How to weld a butt?
Butt weld (a 180-degree joint). Hold the gun at a 90-degree angle to the workpiece, directing the filler metal straight into the joint (but don't forget to include your travel angle of 5 to 15 degrees). A small, back-and-forth motion with the gun can help fill a large gap or when making multiple passes. A slight pausing at the side of a weave bead can help avoid undercut.
Why not stand directly under the weld bead?
Gravity is the enemy when making an overhead weld. Be careful not to stand directly under the weld bead to avoid molten metal that can fall from the joint.
What are the problems with poor weaving techniques?
The potential problems that can occur from poor weaving techniques is that you can undercut the weld bead edge as well as have bad fusion.
What are the basic welding techniques?
Basic Welding Techniques Explained! 1 Be Straight 2 Be uniform in width 3 Have fused edges and be smooth 4 Not have porosity 5 Not have undercutting 6 Not have any cracks 7 Not have any overlapping
What is multipass welding?
So we do what is called multipass welding. A multipass is when you lay several beads on the joint. And multipass requires you to use a weaving technique after you lay a stringer bead. Tip: Make a short pause when you weave to avoid undercutting and achieve quality fusion of your material.
What is stringer bead welding?
String Bead Welding: A stringer bead is the most common and the most basic welding you will learn. To make a stringer bead you drag your electrode straight across the seam. There is no weaving or motion other than dragging or pulling.
What is intermittent welding?
An intermittent weld is where you make a weld for two, three, or four inches, skip a the same distance you welded and then weld again or skip to the middle of your joint and weld.
Why do we use tack welds?
Tack Welding: Basically, a tack weld is used to maintain stability of your metal as you weld. But it's also a good technique for avoiding distortion. For example, if you are welding square tube you might be tempted to tack weld each corner one after the other. And you should.
What is figure 8 weaving?
The figure eight and zigzag weaving motion is a good technique for making a cover pass when you are in the vertical welding position of flat welding position.
How much weave should a GMAW be?
A slight weave is common when using GMAW in other positions, but it should be no more than 2.5 times the electrode (wire) diameter—for a 0.035-in.-dia.-wire, that comes to about 1/8 in. of movement. Exceeding that value can lead to overlap, undercut, and other undesired conditions.
What is a welding magazine?
The WELDER, formerly known as Practical Welding Today, is a showcase of the real people who make the products we use and work with every day. This magazine has served the welding community in North America well for more than 20 years.
Can whips cause weld spatter?
Excessive whip can undersize weld throats and increase weld spatter because each time you back the arc away from the leading edge, you are driving the wire into the molten metal.
Is whipping and weaving a part of GMAW?
A: As with many welding techniques, there is a time and place for everything, even whipping and weaving for GMAW. For example, most robotic applications use a constant weaving motion from side to side, and pipefitters use a distinct whipping action (fore and aft) when laying a 6010 root pass. These movements are perfectly acceptable for those applications—the robot uses the motion to find its way, and the pipefitter uses the fast-freeze characteristic to burn away the land and place the root perfectly at each whip.
Do groove plates have weave?
There are all kinds of variations. I almost always use some movement. A couple of positions use no weave but most all groove plates like cert test would have weave in it.
Can you weave with MIG?
You can weave with MIG (probably even SEW with it!!).