Fix This MIG Welding Problem

Lumpy welds are a bummer...Let's fix it!

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Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW), also known as Metal Inert Gas (MIG) welding is the best welding process for many different applications. This tutorial provides the solution to a very common MIG welding problem beginners face.

[hannahsdadpietro]

I am 62, and when I grow up I want my welds to look as good as yours.

[melgross]

Great advice Tim. Vertical welding is the most difficult thing most non pros are going to encounter. Overhead is something else altogether.

[speedpedals]

Amazing, I know I watched this video last year but totally forgot the main uphill tip - turn down the wire speed for up to two thicknesses thinner and weld with manipulation. It doesn't sink in until you have a problem and I did welding on my Jeep frame repairs putting the repair channels over the frame and welding the perimeter. I am embarrassed how the welds look but it seems to be holding OK. Seeing, laying on my back or side, having the body raised about 5", working around the axle housing and light being in all the wrong places, I had a tough time just seeing where I should be depositing weld beads. I used the recommended settings and it was too fast and caused me to grind a lot. This would have been something that would have been helpful. I am thankful I went back and watched again. Thank you very much.

[don]

Thanks for including metric for the wire speed. A little thing that I think the rest of the world would appreciate.

[dogleg]

Been stick and oxy/acetylene welding for 30+ years. I just picked up a Flux core wire feed a few months back to learn on your videos have been very helpful, thanks bro.

[dougsheron]

Hi Tim, I must say all your vids and tips are great for me, having learnt way back in the early 70's.... as an apprentice, done lots then but now getting back into it All... MIG, TIG en Stick in my garage for classic great reminders for me, retied Brit engineer, cheers Doug

[creeplife]

I finally got back into welding after 7 years! I did a trailer repair. I had to replace 3 hinges. It was going slow but perfectly, up until the weld lol. I preheated the pieces with map gas, and used my autoset feature. The metal was 5/16 but in 110v I could only get up to "3/16", man it was super hot. The top welds were fine, but the vertical, and bottom welds were dripping. I got so frustrated, I've forgotten so much welding info over the years. Well, maybe not forgotten, but mixed up.

[ayrtonezzy]

@TimWelds love that you're adding metric wfs in the captions for us aussie welders

[bruced]

Tim there is one or two other things that can be done. Use dual shield wire with 75/25 works quite well and no torch manipulation. Next pulse spray with 90/10 works well too.
The reason I mentioned this is that I also struggled at times with ropey uphill and droopy down hill welds, just at the wrong time, so now I use the above methods and have better welds. You are very correct on the wire speed especially with the newer welders were you can adjust exactly what you need. The older welders with just numbers for wire speed and voltage are way more difficult to adjust. Keep up the good work you a very good instructor.

[rsgjaay]

Love how you summarize at the end of your videos

[leedunne]

Thanks, you're awesome. Getting back in the game. Thank you for your help. And not wasting my time!😂

[maxnine]

I have learned too watch your videos to understand the concepts of adjustment of a welding machine some day I will try and be as good as you Tim thanks

[davidebevilacqua]

Thank you, i enjoy welding and i learn a lot from your video. Both stick and MiG.

[justintasht]

Fantastic video and excellent explanation I’m not very good at welding up or down hill so will be going out tomorrow and trying this. Big thanks 👍👍

[vladtepes]

1:50 what causes the crowning? what do the settings you used in the horizontal position have to do with lumps in the vertical position?
2:05 turn what down 10%, amperage? feed rate?

[trymoregeorge]

Thanks for the good lecture. More time, I want to know the vertical up welding patterns

[fastbusiness]

Thanks for making the vertical up welds.

[jessicaandthorstenrichards]

I work for cummins. We only do verticle down welds. It's crazy hard here, but as a female welder, 5 are truly a great welding factory .

[ANTZPoundPound]

Tim, I have a Question?
If you have a *Millermatic 252* (Digital Mig Welding Machine) with *035 (9 mm) wire, * and you wanted to *weld 3/8 Thick Plate* what *Voltage Number and Wire Speed Number* would you Use?
For *Vertical Uphill and horizontal, Downhil, etc*

Trying the find the Right Numbers on a New Machine I'm not Familiar with is a Battle.❤😂

[bamboozlist]

Have loved your videos and have been binge watching this past month to learn the basics before buying a machine. I am just starting to practice MIG (mostly for auto use since i’m a mechanic). I know you made the comment in the past about practicing straight beads before worrying about any type of pattern. In my practicing I have found that a pattern helps me stick to a more consistent speed. Is this alright or would it benefit me to just focus on the straight beads for a bit?