Learning how to weld can be as easy or as complex as you make it. Virtually each welding job will have different requirements involving the material to be welded, the type of filler metal for the weld and the welding process itself. Some processes such as Mig or Tig welds can be used on different materials as long as the welding equipment is set up to accommodate that particular material.
General Welding Processes
There are three common welding processes that are used in welding workshops, manufacturing businesses and for home workshop and farm use.
Mig Welding
General Welding Processes
There are three common welding processes that are used in welding workshops, manufacturing businesses and for home workshop and farm use.
Mig Welding
Mig stands for Metal Inert Gas or The Gas Metal Arc Welding process (GMAW). this process in most likely the most common process today. Its basically an arc welding process that utilizes a continuous wire feed of an electrode that is shielded using an external gas source. the components to make up the welding system comprises of the wire feed unit, a cable and weld gun plus the welding power source. Shielding gas is fed through the welder cable along with the electrode.
Being the most versatile this is the easiest way to learn how to weld sheet metal through to heavy work and how to fillet weld heavy plate. The versatility of a Mig means they can be used in all positions, can weld different materials such as mild steel, stainless steel or aluminum, and in most thicknesses. A properly set up machine will produce high quality welds that require minimal clean up.
The Tig Welding Process
Stands for Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW) or more commonly Tungsten Inert Gas process (TIG)
Learning how to Tig weld is more difficult than the mig process as the operator must control the welding torch and the filler material simultaneously. The process involves an arc being struck to the work using a tungsten electrode in the hand-piece, filler material is then applied through the resulting arc. In some instances such as sheet metals no filler rods are used as the join is simply fused together using the arc. Obviously this requires a neat joint without gaps. Tig welds preformed properly will give an outstanding quality finish with high strength. They require minimal clean up as there is no slag or soot to deal with. Most effective for welding stainless steel and aluminum sheet metals, pipe work and products needing a neat tidy finish.
Arc Welding.
Next to gas the Arc welding process is the oldest of welding processes. Still used extensively in industry and for home use learning how to arc weld is a somewhat easier process. However having said that the application of the process can be complicated in the choice of welding electrodes. Arc weld electrodes have a flux coating that generates a shielding gas to protect the metal from atmospheric contaminants, they increase deposition rates and covers the weld with a slag coating. There are many specialist electrodes available such as for hard facing and pipeline welds that are required to have x rays for quality.
Arc welding can be used for welding mild steel, hardened steels, stainless steel, cast iron and numerous specialty steels. Slag deposits require removal so some clean up is needed. Various electrodes require more or less clean up. As arc welders do not require an external gas resource they are ideal for outdoor and site work, and are widely used in maintenance and construction work.
Being the most versatile this is the easiest way to learn how to weld sheet metal through to heavy work and how to fillet weld heavy plate. The versatility of a Mig means they can be used in all positions, can weld different materials such as mild steel, stainless steel or aluminum, and in most thicknesses. A properly set up machine will produce high quality welds that require minimal clean up.
The Tig Welding Process
Stands for Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW) or more commonly Tungsten Inert Gas process (TIG)
Learning how to Tig weld is more difficult than the mig process as the operator must control the welding torch and the filler material simultaneously. The process involves an arc being struck to the work using a tungsten electrode in the hand-piece, filler material is then applied through the resulting arc. In some instances such as sheet metals no filler rods are used as the join is simply fused together using the arc. Obviously this requires a neat joint without gaps. Tig welds preformed properly will give an outstanding quality finish with high strength. They require minimal clean up as there is no slag or soot to deal with. Most effective for welding stainless steel and aluminum sheet metals, pipe work and products needing a neat tidy finish.
Arc Welding.
Next to gas the Arc welding process is the oldest of welding processes. Still used extensively in industry and for home use learning how to arc weld is a somewhat easier process. However having said that the application of the process can be complicated in the choice of welding electrodes. Arc weld electrodes have a flux coating that generates a shielding gas to protect the metal from atmospheric contaminants, they increase deposition rates and covers the weld with a slag coating. There are many specialist electrodes available such as for hard facing and pipeline welds that are required to have x rays for quality.
Arc welding can be used for welding mild steel, hardened steels, stainless steel, cast iron and numerous specialty steels. Slag deposits require removal so some clean up is needed. Various electrodes require more or less clean up. As arc welders do not require an external gas resource they are ideal for outdoor and site work, and are widely used in maintenance and construction work.
