MIG WELDING BASICS
What do the letters MIG stand for
Metal inert gas
Controls the amount of shield gas going to the weld
The flow meter or regulator
This condition results from MIG welding without adequate eye protection
Flash burn
Before welding on a vehicle you should disconnect this
The battery
True or False: flash burn will be felt immediately
False
If you forget to attach this to the work piece, no arc will take place
The ground (work) clamp
Increasing voltage generally causes this change in the weld bead
A wider, flatter bead (turns up the heat)
The weld bead is porous and brittle, what is most likely missing from this weld
Shielding gas
True or False: Shielding gas is flammable
False
This term describes the depth that the weld metal fuses or drives into the base metal
Penetration
This is the main purpose of the shielding gas in MIG welding
To protect the weld pool from contamination
This part transfers electric current to the wire
Contact tip
The bright light produced during MIG welding emits this dangerous type of radiation/light
Ultraviolet light or UV light
The two shielding gases in a 75/25 mix (the most common) for mild steel MIG welding
Argon and Carbon dioxide CO2
The distance between the contact tip and workpiece is known as this
Stickout
When setting up a MIG welder, this should always be connected to the work piece as close to the weld area as possible
The ground (work) clamp
This piece at the end of the whip focuses the shield gas around the weld
Gas nozzle, shield gas nozzle, or just plain nozzle
The minimum shade lens that can be used during a MIG welding operation
A number 10 lens
(Yes, if you said 9 you're technically correct)
What gas is the 25% in a 75/25 shielding gas
CO2 or carbon dioxide
If your weld looks too tall or lacks penetration, this setting may be too low
Voltage / Heat
What do the letters GMAW stand for
Gas metal arc welding
This wire welding process uses no shielding gas
Flux core
This can result from an extension cord that is too long or too thin (light gauge) or both
Voltage drop
What gas is the 75% in a 75/25 shielding gas
Argon
Pure Argon is used primarily when welding this type of metal
Aluminum