MIG welding, as most of us know, is a semi-automatic arc welding process in which a continuous consumable wire electrode and shielding gas are fed through a welding gun. At the end of the gun, there is a contact tip that passes electricity to the wire. Both the wire and shielding gas are activated to create the weld when the operator presses the gun trigger.
Advantages of MIG welding
This welding is quite popular as it is easy to learn and requires no special skills. Even a novice operator will be able to achieve a good weld with minimal practice.
People prefer MIG welding as it is much faster than stick welding and saves time. Therefore, the operating cost of this welding is less than stick welding due to this time saving. MIG adjusts to a limited electrode length and this allows for longer welds with fewer interruptions.
In addition, there is also no waste of filler metals and, in general, thinner materials can be welded much more easily with MIG than with stick welding. One more reason people favor MIG welding is because MIG welding is an orderly process and does not require slag chips like stick welding. Certainly, MIG makes spot welding and part fitting very convenient and there is very little bead loss due to the continuous spool of filler metal.
This welder is versatile and capable for a variety of applications, including: trailer hitches, auto body repair and restoration, farm / livestock equipment, home projects, forklift repair, bicycle repair, etc. This type of welding requires less time compared to other types of welding processes.
Cons of MIG welding
The initial cost of MIG installation is high in view of the regulators and shielding gas, although some MIG welding can be done with a self-shielding flux core and without gas or regulator.
In fact, it is a fact that all kinds of material can be welded with a MIG machine. But, in the MIG process, different materials require different cables and gases. For example, mild steel can be welded with self-shielded wire or with CO2 or a mixture of CO2 gases, but aluminum material requires the use of argon gas.
It is not advisable to weld through dirty materials with MIG machines.
It is said that you should always weld on the cleanest material possible, so for best results, scrape off paint, rust, or other debris where welding is taking place.
There is no denying that MIG welding equipment is more complex, expensive and less portable and that the welding gun is difficult to maneuver. Filler metal can get tangled inside the wire feeder, making the operator uncomfortable and also increasing downtime. The operator must patiently hold cables and liners in a straight position to allow adequate filler metal feeding.
summarizing
When the electrically charged wire enters the welding arc, then it is MIG welding. MIG is commonly preferred because welding cables are very easy to make. In fact, it is said that robots can even be used to perform mechanical work. The MIG welder is capable of working with almost all types of metals, although aluminum and mild steel are the most popular.