Top 10 Welding mistakes
Posted: Fri Apr 13, 2007 4:07 am
Welding mistakes
Some of the most basic and frequent mistakes in (mainly MIG, since it is the most relevant for most readers) welding, after extensive research, are the following:
1. Not cleaning the parts and weld surfaces properly. As most experienced welders say, this is a very frequent beginner mistake. Any paint, dirt, and similar materials can lead to problems and a bad weld as a result.
2. Using the wrong kind of gas for gas welding. Many people will opt for cheap gas, which is however sometimes not a good idea. While simple CO2 is cheap, a mixed gas will often produce better results while MIG welding.
3. Wrong polarity. This can produce a bad-looking weld bead.
4. Wrong contact tip sizes.
5. Inadequate travel speed, i.e. going too fast or too slow.
6. Insufficient shielding - e.g. not blocking the wind while welding.
7. Welding too cool on a massive piece of material, which results in a lack of fusion.
8. Under buying, i.e. picking a too small welding machine for the material thickness required.
9. Not maintaining the wire feeder's wear components, like liners, contact tips, and other parts.
10. Mismatched filler material, i.e. not having the right tensile strength.
Some of the most basic and frequent mistakes in (mainly MIG, since it is the most relevant for most readers) welding, after extensive research, are the following:
1. Not cleaning the parts and weld surfaces properly. As most experienced welders say, this is a very frequent beginner mistake. Any paint, dirt, and similar materials can lead to problems and a bad weld as a result.
2. Using the wrong kind of gas for gas welding. Many people will opt for cheap gas, which is however sometimes not a good idea. While simple CO2 is cheap, a mixed gas will often produce better results while MIG welding.
3. Wrong polarity. This can produce a bad-looking weld bead.
4. Wrong contact tip sizes.
5. Inadequate travel speed, i.e. going too fast or too slow.
6. Insufficient shielding - e.g. not blocking the wind while welding.
7. Welding too cool on a massive piece of material, which results in a lack of fusion.
8. Under buying, i.e. picking a too small welding machine for the material thickness required.
9. Not maintaining the wire feeder's wear components, like liners, contact tips, and other parts.
10. Mismatched filler material, i.e. not having the right tensile strength.