MIG Welding – Wire & Gas Selection

Reading Electric, a leading supplier of Electro-Mechanical Equipment, Services, & Problem Solving for Industrial and Commercial customers for over 50 years by providing technical information to the Region’s Residential, Commercial and Industrial Community. This Bulletin provides information on tips to improve your MIG Welding Wire and Gas Selection.

MIG Welding

Remember: Always read and follow the safety precautions and operational instructions in your owner’s manual.

1. For steel, there are two common wire types. Use an AWS classification ER70S-3 for all purpose, economical welding. Use ER70S-6 wire when more deoxidizers are needed for welding on dirty or rusty steel. See Diagram #6.
    
2. For best control of your weld bead, keep the wire directed at the leading edge of the weld pool.
    
3. When welding out of position (vertical, horizontal, or overhead welding), keep the weld pool small for best weld bead control, and use the smallest wire diameter size you can.
    
4. Be sure to match your contact tube, gun liner, and drive rolls to the wire size you are using.
    
5. Clean the gun liner and drive rolls occasionally, and keep the gun nozzle clean of spatter. Replace the contact tip if blocked or feeding poorly.
    
6. Keep the gun as straight as possible when welding, to avoid poor wire feeding.
    
7. Use both hands to steady the gun when you weld. Do this whenever possible. (This also applies to Stick and TIG welding, and plasma cutting.)
    
8. Keep wire feeder hub tension and drive roll pressure just tight enough to feed wire, but don’t over-tighten.
    
9. Keep wire in a clean, dry place when not welding, to avoid picking up contaminants that lead to poor welds.
    
10. Use DCEP (reverse polarity) on the power source.

Reading Electric is an Authorized Factory Repair Center for Miller, Lincoln, Esab, and Hobart Welding Equipment.
 

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