new mig owner
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Supreme Member
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,162
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From: California
Car: Z28
Engine: L98
Transmission: T56
new mig owner
I recently acquired a millermatic 185 mig welder. I have the argon/co2 gas bottle.
i "justified" the expense of this welder, by telling myself that I can weld my exhaust, subframe connectors myself and also do some sheetmetal work on my 71 camaro, and "pay" for the welder by doing work myself i'd other wise farm out.
which means now I need to learn how to use it.
previous experience is only with AC stick welding, which i was pretty decent at back in high school, but that was 8 years ago...
what ist he best way to learn? get a book and read? (what's the best book?). take a night class? is there any "how to weld" videos?
I have played a little bit with the welder. it seems I can butt-weld two pieces of exhaust pipe together ok, if there is little to no gap. I then tried welding a piece of 1 x 3/32" to the exhaust pipe (not flat to it, but rather sticking off of it) and it seemed good but then when i busted the weld apart, the weld was totally on the surface and did not appear to penetrate either the pipe or the 1 x 3/32" at all, so I know I'm not doing something quite right.
i "justified" the expense of this welder, by telling myself that I can weld my exhaust, subframe connectors myself and also do some sheetmetal work on my 71 camaro, and "pay" for the welder by doing work myself i'd other wise farm out.
which means now I need to learn how to use it.
previous experience is only with AC stick welding, which i was pretty decent at back in high school, but that was 8 years ago...what ist he best way to learn? get a book and read? (what's the best book?). take a night class? is there any "how to weld" videos?
I have played a little bit with the welder. it seems I can butt-weld two pieces of exhaust pipe together ok, if there is little to no gap. I then tried welding a piece of 1 x 3/32" to the exhaust pipe (not flat to it, but rather sticking off of it) and it seemed good but then when i busted the weld apart, the weld was totally on the surface and did not appear to penetrate either the pipe or the 1 x 3/32" at all, so I know I'm not doing something quite right.
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Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 14,811
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From: Jackson County
pratice, big thing with mig is you push it and not drag, that is angle the wire ahead of the puddle, or keep the wire at the front enge of the puddle. another thing with mig, or mor correctly GMAW, is that it can make a very nice looking weld and not penetrate.
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Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 365
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From: Augusta Georgia
Car: 89 IROC
Engine: 95 350 LT1
Transmission: 4L60E
make sure you have the polarity right, + is ground. Also, when you weld, you'll see a little bright ball of light on the end of the wire, that's where the heat and penetration will be. Just keep trying and test your results, if you could stick weld you'll get the hang of it in no time.
Supreme Member
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 1,668
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From: Houston
Car: 86 Berlinetta 84 MonteCL
Engine: 3.4 MPFI 3.8 229
Transmission: 700r4 T350
Can you draw a curly Q ?
MIG is one of the easiest welding methods. Kinda a point and click feel. All you have to do is make sure you tie your welds together good, and be consistent. use two hands when possible, hold the muzzle (copper end) of the gun with one hand, and "steer" with the other. Practice 90* welds, just make sure it holds well and looks nice (easier than you think, just practice)
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