MIG Welding

Mig Welding Equipment at Engweld

Engweld offers a wide range of high-quality MIG welding products from trusted brands like Lincoln Electric and ESAB, ensuring reliability and precision for both professionals and hobbyists.

MIG welding, also known as Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW), is a process that uses a continuous solid wire electrode and a shielding gas to join two base materials. The wire electrode is fed through a welding gun and melted by an electric arc, which also melts the base materials. The shielding gas protects the weld pool from atmospheric contamination.

MIG welding is essentially a semi-automatic process, with the rate at which the wire is fed and the length of the arc controlled at the source of the power. However, the wire position and the speed at which the weld travels are manually controlled. As the welder moves the welding torch along the line of the joint, the wire is fed out by a motor-driven reel, the type of welding wire varies depending on the type of metal you wish to weld.

Things To Consider In MIG Welding

• MIG welding machine: The right MIG welder depends on your needs. Engweld offers a range of MIG welders, including compact, industrial, and multi-process welders, with air-cooled and water-cooled options.
• MIG Welding torch: A MIG welding torch feeds the filler metal consumable electrode wire and directs the flow of the shielding gas to protect the weld pool. It usually comes with a welding machine, and Engweld also stocks a wide range of MIG torches, including air-cooled and water-cooled options.
• Consumable electrode wire: MIG welding uses a consumable wire fed through a welding torch to create the weld bead. Engweld stocks MIG welding wires for various applications and materials.
• Shielding gas: Shielding gas is essential in MIG welding to prevent weld pool contamination. The optimal gas mixture depends on the specific application, transfer mode, and material. Engweld’s parent company Energas supplies various welding gases. You can use the gas selector tool or download the gas selector guide to help you choose the right gas for your welding application. 
• Gas regulator: A gas regulator controls shielding gas flow rate from the gas cylinder. Engweld stocks various types of MIG gas regulators.
• Welding PPE: Welding requires appropriate PPE, including a welding helmet to protect your eyes from bright light. Depending on the application, an air-fed welding helmet with a PAPR system may be necessary to protect from hazardous fumes. MIG welding involves high temperatures and spatters, so MIG welding gloves, a welding jacket, and welding trousers are also necessary for protection.
• Earth clamp: you will need an earth clamp to secure the connection between the energiser and earthing system for optimum electrical conductivity. Engweld stocks earth clamps ranging from 200A to 600A. 

Advantages and Disadvantages of MIG welding

Advantages of MIG welding

• Higher productivity: MIG welding is faster than other welding processes because of its wire feed system, which allows for high deposition rates and fast travel speeds.
• Less Stop and Starts: MIG welding allows continuous welding, unlike other welding processes such as stick welding where you have to stop and start every now and then. 
• Easier to learn: MIG welding is relatively simpler and easier to learn compared to other welding processes such as TIG and MMA welding. The MIG welding torch is also easier to operate. 
• Versatile: MIG welding offers versatility as you can weld various metals and alloys, including stainless steel, copper, aluminium, nickel and iron. 
  • You can read more about welding aluminium and welding stainless steel. 
• Better visibility: MIG welding offers excellent visibility of the weld pool so you can produce consistent and quality welds. 
• No stub end losses: Unlike stick welding, MIG welding has no stub loss because it uses continuously fed wire.