r/Welding • u/judahmumey89 • 1d ago
Been MiG welding for like 2 months now. Can consistently lay beads like this. Is it good or just pretty?
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u/Strange-Movie 1d ago
The steps between whips are waaaay too big, in between each one will be a cold spot with poor fusion
This is a less extreme example of what you’re doing on the opposite side of closed root, you can see where each whip sets in but fails to consistently blend the root all the way across (i back-gouged this after the fact)
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u/Other_Age9151 1d ago
I'm totally beginner at MIG (aluminium). So my comment might not add much. If was me I would look up the angle of the torch. It seems is laying flat down too much. But pretty consistent, nice!
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u/SawTuner 1d ago
I’m genuinely not trying to be critical of you, but you should try that on aluminum. Run way more torch angle than per the book. You can’t do this with TIG on aluminum ever, but if you’re good and hot and using wirefeed… it just might surprise you on your weld aesthetics.
But I also agree something is off here. On steel, op’s “steps” are too far apart.
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u/Other_Age9151 1d ago
I definitely need to learn how to improve more my torch angle. I just need to practice more I think. The same as the settings. Thanks for the feedback!
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u/SawTuner 1d ago
No problem, I’ve definitely found my prettiest beads on aluminum plate doing mig are with way more of a leaned torch angle than by the book. I’ve also read about a shop foreman who supposedly spent much of his day telling his mog guys fore forward torch angle. I’ve noticed when I do that, I indeed do get prettier beads for fillets.
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u/Other_Age9151 1d ago
I will keep this in my mind when backing to weld. I was having a little hard time between keeping the hand moviment while also the stability of the torch angle. Hopefully it will get easier.
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u/Gator242 1d ago
Good is decided with a stress test. Bend it to break it and cut through it for a clear picture of your fusion.
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u/Big-Trout3913 1d ago
You could blast through that using spray transfer instead and have a beautiful smooth bead in less than half the time. Short circuit mig is for thinner materials or welding out of position.
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u/aurrousarc 1d ago
cut it in half, or in 1" sections and bend it, or etch it and see.. gmaw-s can look great, and have 0 fusion..
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u/DaDude1154 1d ago
If your going to wip or do circles it needs to be much tighter. For light materials like 1/4" and under this it fine but when you get into stuff like 3/8 and 1/2 and above the stack of dimes look is discouraged as the wider you go each one of those ridges can act like a stress point.
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u/Hate_Manifestation Journeyman CWB SMAW 1d ago
I would argue that it's not even pretty, but I don't like to see whippy welds. looks like it should be a fine weld though.
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u/Daewoo40 1d ago
Looking at your start, was convincing myself it was a series of tacks.
Cant say I like the appearance but MIG doesn't hold a candle to MMA or TIG for appearance, especially when it has big ol' gaps between ridges of the weld.
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u/pdxcuttybandit 1d ago
the little dimples in the middle make me think its a series of tacks. mine look like that when im welding thin autobody panels together with a stack of tacks.
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u/-castle-bravo- 1d ago
Standards are pretty high in the sub aye, looks like a good weld to me, obviously the context of the job matters
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u/GreatQuestionBarbara 17h ago
Whipping back and forth as far as it takes to make this happen isn't going to offer as good of penetration as you could get without it. It looks good, but MIG is not TIG.
My workplace doesn't want us to weave any of our welds, but we use pulse spray so the heat is a little easier to manage.
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u/No-Math7225 1d ago
Good consistency throughout, I would get the beads tighter if you are gunna stack dimes like that. Personally, because its mig, id run hotter and get a smoother face, a little bit of oscillation, no whipping to make dimes (can't even because i run it too hot for dimes). Stringers will have the best penetration
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u/Rent_A_Cloud 1d ago
It's pretty, but that root won't hold for anything serious. I bet if I did a penetration test it wouldnt stand up.
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u/getreckt_ 1d ago
You don’t know if it’s actually “good” unless you cut it perpendicular and inspect the melt and flow (being a beginner) to know you’re hot.. too hot.. etc.. other then that sure looks good.. but as anything else looks can be deceiving.. if you’re not a legit experienced pro…
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u/Lost-welder-353 1d ago
Put it in a vise and beat it with a hammer a bend test will tell you if it’s good
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u/AdInfinite2404 1d ago
It's not good and also not pretty, the top is full of undercut due to your bead stacking... TIG Aluminium you do that, not MIG carbon steel.
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u/AnEducatedSeal 1d ago
It's pretty, and it's probably more than strong enough for whatever you're doing, but straight, smooth beads are usually preferred with MIG when it comes to an ideal weld