really basic MIG welding technique question

Movement depends on the heat of the arc compared to how thick the metal is. If you are running hot on thin metal, then a straight stringer bead is more than sufficient, but if you are welding heavier materiel I would recommend a slow weave.

I found that most of my welds looked like they were done by a three yr old . Then I got a helmet with a big lens , and now that I can see the puddle with the bifocal part of my glasses , they look better . Like maybe they were done by a seven yr old . Seriously , I found that dragging the puddle lets me see what I'm doing better . I also found I needed to increase my shield gas flow a bit . I still have trouble with depositing too much filler , but I'm getting decent penetration and stuff stays together . Good enough for me !

Unless the bead is very small ( under 1/4 inch fillet) I move a bit. Don't aim at the corner. Maintain 45 degrees but aim one wire diameter below the corner and slightly forehand. That is not very much but it works for me. Randy

On a fillet weld in the horizontal position, should I aim the wire at the junction and try to move it smoothly along the seam, or should I wash the wire up and down?

What's happening is I'm getting uneven welds. I think part of the problem is that I'm having trouble seeing the puddle what with the MIG gun nozzle and the two planes of metal.

Anyone?

Grant

Hi Grant, I think most of the time that getting your body into the right position and being comfortable is half the battle this means getting a line of sight in front of the gas shroud so that you can see exactly where the wire is contacting the joint, if your anything like me cleaning the lens a little more would help see what's happening. I tend to run the wire slightly more on the bottom plate in a HV fillet and wash up onto the vertical plate without a noticable weave, remember stringer runs to build up the size of a weld is often more desirable than a woven weld. When settings and angles go awry with the mig, breaking the weld open under a press can be a real eye opener. Makes me wonder about some of the home made car trailers belting about the countryside at 100 km/h.

Rod