Should you weld up or down with a MIG?

Typically the Vertical Up will provide deeper pen. Gravity is one factor. The upward movement allows the welder to provide a higher heat input into the weld. Whereas in a downward movement, the pool tends to follow gravity.

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Should I go uphill or downhill with MIG?

By welding uphill you'll be able to penetrate deeper into the metal, stacking the weld up and giving it time to penetrate into the joint. For thin metal, such as on automotive welds, you can weld downhill and even do a stringer. The big difference comes with the metal thickness.

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Is it better to MIG weld vertically up or down?

The upside down V is one of the most effective techniques for vertical mig welding of lap and tee fillet welds. Sure there are other ways of making a good looking vertical uphill weld, but for ensuring penetration as well as making a good looking uniform weld, the upside down V is a very good way to go.

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What direction should a MIG weld go?

In most cases, the gun should be angled slightly in the direction of motion. This is called the travel angle, and 15 degrees is a good place to start. Looking at the gun from the end of a seam, the angle of the gun to the work is called the work angle. For a butt joint, 90 degrees is ideal.

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Is it better to weld up or down?

For material thicker than sheet metal, vertical welding generally should be performed uphill. Welding thinner sheet metal can be performed downhill because less penetration is needed, and the faster travel speed produces cooler temperatures that prevent burn-through.

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SHOULD YOU PUSH OR PULL A MIG WELD? FLAT OR RIPPLE BEAD?

16 related questions found

What is the number 1 rule in welding?

Weld from the bottom up.

Like building a house, you cannot start the bricks at the top. Weld metal is a liquid. When it goes in it needs support, that is why we need to always start at the bottom.

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Do you push or pull for welding?

You Should Pull When Stick Welding

Put in simpler terms, you should be pulling the rod towards you when using any welding process that produces slag. This includes submerged arc welding, electroslag welding, flux-cored arc welding and shielded metal arc welding (SMAW), more commonly known as stick welding.

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Is downhill MIG welding good?

MIG also is excellent for welding downhill. Downhill welding is when you start at the top of a vertical weld joint and weld downward to the bottom. Although not a good process for structural welding, it is great for projects.

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What is the rule of thumb for MIG welding?

A general rule of thumb is you need 1 amp of power for every 0.001 inches of steel. Stainless needs 10-15 percent less current, and aluminum needs around 25 percent more. So, how many amps does it take to weld 3/8 steel? For 1/8-inch mild steel, which is 0.125-inch thick, 125 amps would be a good place to start.

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Which position of welding is too difficult in MIG welding?

Horizontal Welding Position

It is more challenging to perform than vertical and overhead positions and requires higher skill. In the horizontal position, the weld axis is roughly horizontal. The position is executed based on the type of weld. For a groove weld, the weld face is along a vertical line.

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Why do my MIG welds look so bad?

A: Excessive weld spatter can result from voltage that's too low or from welding on material that is dirty or has mill scale. Be sure to clean the base material and remove mill scale (or avoid it altogether when possible) and make certain that shielding gas flow is adequate.

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What is the strongest weld pattern?

TIG welding is often considered the strongest weld since it produces extreme heat, and the slow cooling rate results in high tensile strength and ductility. MIG is also an excellent candidate for the strongest type of weld because it can create a strong joint.

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Why are my MIG welds so tall?

A bead that is too tall and skinny indicates a lack of heat into the weld joint or too fast of travel speed. Conversely, if the bead is flat and wide, the weld parameters are too hot or you are welding too slowly. Ideally, the weld should have a slight crown that just touches the metal around it.

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Why do you weld uphill instead of downhill?

Ultimately, uphill welding will produce stronger welds thanks to the deeper penetration and better sidewall fusion.

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What angle do you push a MIG weld?

When welding a butt joint (a 180-degree joint), the welding operator should hold the MIG welding gun at a 90-degree work angle (in relation to the work piece). Depending on the thickness of the base material, push the gun at a torch angle between 5 and 15 degrees.

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What are the disadvantages of downhill welding?

However, downhill welding can inhibit penetration and generate slag inclusions unless a welder can control the arc to track correctly on the welding line at fast speeds (e.g. 60 cm/min or higher with a l. 2-mmØ wire). The following measures can prevent defects in vertical fillet downhill welding.

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What are 7 common mistakes people make when they start MIG welding?

Welding operation mistakes
  • Repurposing old equipment.
  • Using the wrong MIG gun size.
  • Purchasing filler metals based on cost only.
  • Improper weld preparation.
  • Improper preheat or interpass temperature control.
  • Shielding gas inconsistencies.
  • Improper filler metal storage and handling.
  • Disregarding MIG gun consumables.

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What size gap for MIG welding?

In 20 to 22-gage sheet metal, your fit-up gap for MIG butt welding should be no less than the thickness of an unworn dime, but it doesn't hurt to be stingy with your money and generous with your fit-up gap.

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What is the hardest welding to learn?

TIG welding is the hardest form of welding to learn for a variety of reasons. The process of TIG welding is slow and takes time to get used to as a beginner. A TIG welder requires a foot pedal to feed the electrode and control the variable amperage while maintaining a steady hand at the welding torch.

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What is the hardest welding job?

Average Nuclear Industry Welder Salary: $67,000 per year

Welders in the nuclear industry might work on pipelines, underwater, or in the military. They must pass a demanding screening process, including FBI clearance, to become nuclear certified, making it one of the most difficult welding positions to obtain.

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What not to do when welding?

5 Things Not To Do When Welding
  1. #1) Welding In a Poorly Ventilated Area. ...
  2. #2) Not Preheating. ...
  3. #3) Not Wearing The Appropriate Safety Gear. ...
  4. #4) Welding On Unstable Surfaces. ...
  5. #5) Not Cleaning or Maintaining The Arc Welder.

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Do you drag or push a MIG welder?

To get a good MIG weld, all you need to do is push the torch in a straight line, which is the proper method. However, the end product isn't always the most aesthetically pleasing weld you've ever seen.

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What is the easiest position to weld?

Flat Welding Position

Also known as the downhand position, the flat position is the easiest of all the welding positions. A flat position is the common type of weld. It is the first weld that beginners learn. In this position, you are not welding against gravity.

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