There are many MIG welders to choose from on the market, and if you’re just learning MIG welding it can be frustrating if you can’t get your chosen MIG welder tuned correctly.
One of the most important things I can say about MIG welding is making sure you get your machines wire speed and voltage set correctly.
You Must Get Your Machine Tuned Correctly First
If you’re frustrated about how to MIG weld because when you go to lay a weld down with your wire feed welder you aren’t getting that smooth, consistent crackling that lets you know it’s tuned, then I think I can help you.
Most wire feed welders are going to have at least 2 knobs on the front of the machine.
One is the voltage knob, and the other is your wire speed feed. When you’re learning mig welding you want to get comfortable with these settings.
When you’re welding on thicker metal then you will want to turn up your voltage. You would also turn up your wire speed in addition.
Both settings work in unison. When you turn up one you turn up the other.
3 Steps To Learning MIG Welding Sounds…
Below I’ve outlined 3 steps for you to follow to get your mig welder tuned perfectly.
Step 1: Start by setting your voltage to the recommended setting for the thickness of metal you’re working on. Leave your wire speed turned all the way down.
Step 2: Hold the gun with one hand and start your weld. With the other hand slowly turn up the wire speed until you hear a crackling sound like frying bacon. Congratulations, it’s tuned!
Step 3 (optional): Go ahead and keep turning your wire speed up all the way so you can notice what happens when it’s set too high. The wire will actually start coming out at a rate too fast to melt away at a constant rate so you’ll get the wire stubbing into the weld puddle.
I hope that helps you tune your wire feed welder.
