Advantages of MIG Welder

One of the most popular and extensively used welders is a MIG welder.  The procedure of welding used by a MIG welder is called gas metal arc welding, or GMAW. MIG welding machines work by feeding a wire, which is the electrode, through a welding gun while at the same time there is a constant flow of an inner shielding gas which protects the weld while it cools.

Carbon dioxide is the most common gas used by MIG welding machines during general purpose welding since is it the cheapest of all welding gases and still creates a very good weld. Sometimes, a mixture of argon and carbon dioxide is used to have a welding arc with less splatter, hence a clean weld. Pure argon is used to obtain the best welds, especially when welding aluminium.

A MIG welder has a lot of advantages over other common welding processes. MIG welding machines have a trigger to manage the electrode, this allows you to position it without striking and arc by mistake. When the MIG welder is in the correct place, you can simply flip down your helmet and pull the trigger.

The inert gas used for shielding helps keep the weld smooth and clean and there is no slag to chip off. MIG welding machines are also very well suited to weld sheet metal and other thin metals. This is because they can weld at a much lower temperature when compared to other welders. MIG welders always use DC current to create a welding arc because AC current doesn’t give a steady arc.

One can adjust the voltage, amperage, and the speed at which the wire is fed on a MIG welding machine. The tensioner on the welding wire is also adjustable along with a valve to control the flow of gas.

It is also possible to use a MIG welder without shielding gas. This is known as flux cored arc welding. In this welding process the welding wire has a hollow core which is filled with flux. Flux welding can be done outdoors since there is no need to worry about shielding gas being blown away. Flux welding can be used to weld thicker pieces of metal. The main disadvantage is that you will have to remove the slag with a stick welder and it cannot be used to weld thin sheets of metal.

MIG welders can be used to weld many types of metals. There are many wires with different compositions to choose from, this will give you the best combination for almost any welding situation.