Thread: Mig Welding

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I consider myself a novice stick welder but sometimes i've found stick welding is not conducive for me when it comes to thin metal. I have a new Hobart Handler 140 and have very little time on it. Its capable of Mig welding which is what i'd like to get into. i've actually heard mig welding is easier than stick welding but guess perhaps that comes down to opinion. Anyhoo, i'd like to start out using wire that does not using shielding gas and then eventually get into the 75/25 gas. Couple of questions. using flux core wire without gas--what are people's experience with that or what can i expect provided my voltage and wire feed speed are in the ballpark? Also, anyone know of some good youtube videos or websites for Mig Welding beginners? Thanks,

I've found that no matter which machine you use, it's all about the practice.
I grew up on stick machines and when MIG came along I had to have one. Everything I own is Lincoln - it's our closest dealer - so that's where I go for parts / pieces / help. Sometimes they have an in store class where you can meet the pros and ask questions / get help.

What I usually do is before the actual weld is practice on a similar size/thickness piece. But, My only real piece of knowledge that I share with everyone is you gotta be comfortable, by that I mean your body position, things like the weight of the cables can hamper your movement(s) and wear you down making you work harder trying to keep that puddle flowing the way you want it. I always toss the lead over my shoulder so my arm doesn't have to carry that weight.

On youtube there's way to many videos that'll add some helpful knowledge, but you still will need to spend the time fusing metal and getting the experience.

The flux core makes a sloppy ugly weld full of splatter. I have a small flux core welder but I only use it for convenience: it's 110V and light so great for field repairs.

If you want to weld sheet metal, take the full plunge and get the gas.

yes .. dont even start with the flux core stuff .. you have the gauges and and gas capable cables ( say capable cables real fast 3 times ) .. and i would step down to .025 wire if you`re gunna be doing much sheet metal work .. it will let you burn a little less hot and feed a little bit faster and will still handle thicker stuff .. just my 2$ ...

All great advice. My biggest reason for wanting to start out without shielding gas was to just get used to the machine, tinker with it, etc. Then make me a frame on wheels to put welder on. Afterwards, perhaps get into trying the shielding gas.

Did have one other question: Do guys typical hold the nozzle down on the metal at a slant, or do they typically hold the nozzle just a hair off the metal? Thanks,

As close as I can and still see what I'm doing, and at the appropriate angle for the task (usually about 45)

nashville is not so far from huntsville >. i`ll be right up .. HA ! .. outside of coming and showing you first hand we can not tell you how to begin .. and in all truth i say dont use flux core wire when iv`e never used flux core wire .. i hold the nozzle about 1/8 th off the material and lean it about 40 degrees to the right as i like to pull the weld towards me so i can see it fill the joint .. you can weld in either direction though .. if you pull too far away `feed to slow or have it set too hot it will simply feed back and melt the wire into your nozzle and weld itself to your tip ...buy some exta tips before you start practicing ..

Excellent advice on the extra tips and I would also advice you to purchase a can of Anti-splatter which either comes in aerosol or as a gel type of dip. I like keeping the inside of the nozzle clean and splatter free as it aids in a better weld if using gas.

I started with a stick machine about50 yr. ago. My sons went into body work some 30 yr ago and they bought a Mig machine. First time I used it I swor it would never do the job BUT practice is what ti took so for 30 yr. I have used Mig the stick machine was sold awhile back. I don't think anyone can tell you how to really use it just USE it. Its very hard to hurt it and I WOULD NOT use flux core wire. Tried it hated it. went back to gas. As was mentioned untill you get used to it try metals of same gauge but weld overlap just practice. Good Luck and most of all HAVE FUN.

The one instance I've found where flux core wire is preferable to solid core and gas is when welding outside when there is any kind of breeze. It doesn't take much air movement to blow the shielding gas away from the weld resulting in a very ugly porous weld.

Gas choice will normally depend on what your welding, but if the majority of the work is mild steel you can probably get by with straight CO2. The Lincoln site has a pretty good explanation.

MIG Welding FAQs


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Opinions about welding are like belly buttons - everyone has one. I learned to weld 50 years ago on a Miller stick welder. Later went to welding school and learned how to weld with oxy-acetylene torch. That actually improved my overall skill. Back then MIG was a fairly new concept and the machines were big and expensive; we only got to have limited experience because we had to take turns using the one MIG machine in the class lab... Ancient history. MIG machines now are inexpensive (compared to then) and plentiful.

The one thing no one has addressed so far is cost. If you haven't already bought a MIG welder, get one that can be used either way, flux core or gas shield. If you want to go with gas shielding, plan on an extra $250 - $300 or so for the Argon/CO2 tank. After you have the tank it will cost about $45 - $50 to refill it (once or twice a year depending on use). If you start out with flux core you can delay that expenditure for a while. The wire costs twice as much, but that may be easier to swallow for a while. Comparatively, over time they will cost about the same.

Flux core weld is similar to stick weld as there is slag and spatter to be chipped/wire brushed away and there will be smoke residue around the weld. MIG produces a cleaner weld. Either is effective at fusing steel together. As Mike P said, the flux core actually works better in breezy conditions. When I got my MIG welder a neighbor of mine (an experienced welder) told me that flux core isn't worth crap and ya can't do anything good with it, so I built the two cars in my avatar with it just to prove a point. I have since converted it back to gas shielding except on those rare occasions when I have to weld something that is galvanized (have to keep a fan blowing across when welding galvanized, so can't use gas).