MIG Welding Tips & Tricks

Because knowing is half the purchase

Tips for choosing supplies

• For thin metals, use a smaller diameter wire. For thicker metals, use larger wire and a larger machine.
• Your wire and base metal should generally be the same. Use stainless steel wire when welding stainless steel, aluminum wire when welding aluminum, etc.
• Use ER70S-6 wire to help deoxidize your base metal when welding dirty or rusty steel.
• Match your contact tube, gun liner and drive rolls to the wire diameter you’re using.

Tricks for a better technique

• Keep a ¼ - ⅜ in. electrode extending from the contact tube (commonly known as stickout). See Diagram ➊ for a visual example.
• For best control of your weld bead, keep the wire directed at the leading edge of the weld pool.
• When welding out of position (vertical, horizontal or overhead), keep the weld pool small and use the smallest diameter wire you can.
• Keep the drive rolls, gun liner and nozzle clean and spatter-free.
• Replace the contact tip if it’s blocked or feeding poorly.
• Keep the gun as straight as possible when welding to avoid poor wire feeding.
• Use both hands to steady the gun whenever possible.
• Keep wire feeder hub tension and drive roll pressure tight enough to feed wire, but don’t overtighten.
• Keep wire in a clean, dry place to avoid contaminants that lead to poor welds.
• Use a drag or pull gun technique for more penetration and a narrower bead. Use a push gun technique for less penetration and a wider bead. See Diagram ➌ for a visual example.

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