Learn to MIG on a 110A machine

Here's a video for newbie mig welders. It shows you pretty much everything you need to know to start migging.

Miller - Welding Calculators

Miller - Welding Calculators

Glossary

Throughout the course of my blogging career I will be adding more and more to this glossary so if you have any ideas please feel free to comment and I will add them.

AC = Alternating Current


Amps = The measurement of the electrical (current) flow.


Arc Blow = A magnetic field that deflects the arc to one side caused by a DC circuit. 

AWS = American Welding Society


CFH = Cubic Feet per Hour


CGA = Compressed Gas Association

CSA = Canadian Standards Association 

CWB = Canadian Welding Bureau 


Constant Current (CC) =  a machine that varies its output voltage to maintain a steady current. 

Constant Potential/Voltage (CP/CV) = a machine that will fluctuate its output current to maintain a set voltage. 

DCEN = Direct Current Electrode Negative


DCEP = Direct Current Electrode Positive (Creates a cleaning action with TIG)

Down Slope = The control of the ending amperage at the moment the arc is extinguished opposed to the set amperage for welding.

GMAW = Gas Metal Arc Welding 


GTAW = Gas Tungsten Arc Welding 


High Frequency (HF) = The ionization of gas between the electrode and workpiece creating an arc.


Inductance = The rate of current rise.

Inert Gas = A gas that has little or no ability to react chemically.


L/min = Litres per minute.

MIG = Metal Inert Gas


Ohm = The measurement of resistance in an electrical conductor.


Ohm's Law = E = I x R (Voltage=Current in amps x Resistance in ohms) 


Pre-Purge (Pre-Flow) = The flow of gas before the arc is struck. 


Post-Purge (Post-Flow) = The flow of gas after the arc is extinguished. 


Resistance = The force that prevents the flow of electricity. (Wire size, electrical conductors, etc.)


Reverse Polarity = DCEP


SAW = Submerged Arc Welding

Single-Phase = An AC current different in phase by 180º

SMAW = Shielded Metal Arc Welding


Stick Welding = Sometimes called Arc welding. With a flux coated stick electrode. 

Straight Polarity = DCEN


Three-Phase = An AC current with 3 single-phase currents timed to start at regular intervals from each other.

TIG = Tungsten Inert Gas

Up Slope = The control of the starting amperage at the moment the arc is ignited opposed to the set amperage for welding.

Volts = Electrical pressure

Sick of seeing improper and unsafe welding procedures.

I watch a fair amount of TV and the majority of what I watch is shows that contain welding. Sometimes I find them hard to watch because of not only the terrible welds but also because of the lack of safety gear and sheer stupidity. I'm watching TV right now and they hired a new girl welder. I'm not saying there's anything wrong with girl welders but why would you weld without gloves and without a mask on? I also just saw them MIG welding aluminum downhand.

Tell me what you think!

This is a blog for all the welders and fabricators out there. Whether you need some help with something or are just curious about the metal trades, this is the place to be. For the welding portion of this blog I will be talking about everything from proper structural techniques to just simply making a weld look nice. I will also be talking about metallurgy, fabrication, safety.. etc.