Very Basic MIG Question

Welding Techniques, Theory, Machines and Questions.

Moderator: Harold_V

Post Reply
mcman56
Posts: 264
Joined: Thu Apr 17, 2003 2:30 pm
Location: Roseville, CA

Very Basic MIG Question

Post by mcman56 »

I'm an occasional welder so pretty unskilled. After making a pass, I sometimes see that the wire is sticking out of the gun further than when I started, maybe up to 3/4". Does that suggest that the wire feed is too fast or maybe my travel speed too slow. Or does it just mean that I'm holding the gun too far away? Splatter comes with this.
User avatar
GlennW
Posts: 7284
Joined: Sun Apr 15, 2007 9:23 am
Location: Florida

Re: Very Basic MIG Question

Post by GlennW »

Some welders have a "burn back" adjustment to remedy that.

It varies the time between the feed stopping and the arc stopping.

It can also be that you are drifting farther away from the puddle as you weld.
Glenn

Operating machines is perfectly safe......until you forget how dangerous it really is!
STRR
Posts: 469
Joined: Thu May 24, 2007 9:01 pm
Location: Westminster, CO

Re: Very Basic MIG Question

Post by STRR »

Many welders started with stick welding. Many of us do both stick and MIG. For some, it's hard to remember to let go of the trigger instead of pulling back to end the arc. Speaking from personal experience there. I too find more wire out when I'm done than when I was actually welding. Being as I use flux core, it doesn't matter much. If you're using shielding gas, it does matter as your gas must shield the end of the weld for a few seconds after the arc ends.

Good Luck,
User avatar
Bill Shields
Posts: 10461
Joined: Fri Dec 21, 2007 4:57 am
Location: 39.367, -75.765
Contact:

Re: Very Basic MIG Question

Post by Bill Shields »

my idea of a MIG:
dave out for a spin.png
my neighbor out for an afternoon spin
Too many things going on to bother listing them.
User avatar
GlennW
Posts: 7284
Joined: Sun Apr 15, 2007 9:23 am
Location: Florida

Re: Very Basic MIG Question

Post by GlennW »

Bill Shields wrote: Fri Oct 21, 2022 3:14 pmmy neighbor out for an afternoon spin
Cannavo?
Glenn

Operating machines is perfectly safe......until you forget how dangerous it really is!
User avatar
Bill Shields
Posts: 10461
Joined: Fri Dec 21, 2007 4:57 am
Location: 39.367, -75.765
Contact:

Re: Very Basic MIG Question

Post by Bill Shields »

Yes

Miss him muchly.

Trusted him to take my wife up for a spin years ago
Too many things going on to bother listing them.
Post Reply