MIG Welder Settings: MIG Welding Basics for Beginners

How to set wire feed speed and voltage on a MIG welder.
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The wire speed on a MIG welder will be based on material thickness. The wire feed speed and voltage for 1/8 inch thick steel will be lower than for 1/4 inch thick steel. In this video I will walk you through the process of adjusting your MIG welding settings to get a quality weld. This is part of a series on how to MIG weld for beginners. ***Affiliate Notice***
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[@TimWelds]

You can learn to weld. I'll show you exactly what to do in my affordable online welding courses at courses.timwelds.com.

[@chelseyr4280]

Yes!

[@ferrarim5p75]

There are many complementary comments from viewers about your video, but I think you have gotten the fundamentals of arc welding, of which MIG Welding is a sub-type, wrong. The arc is not generated when the electrode touches the base metal; it is generated when the electrode is at a short distance from the base metal, around 3 mm. The high current and voltage allows the electricity to move across the air, which is an electric insulator, but in doing so, generates a lot of heat. It does so, by turning the air into a ionised particles, called plasma, which is a better conductor than normal air. The plasma is the arc you can see. This is why if you do not move your electrode after the arc had formed and the filler metal had been deposited, the filler can connect the electrode to the base metal and the electric circuit is closed, meaning electricity will flow 'properly' and no arc can form and the welding process will stop.

[@maustinau]

You taught me more about Mig welding in 5 minutes than I've learned from 6 months of poring over KZbin, you legend! Thanks Tim, keep up the amazing work!

[@jesusmontanes8844]

Right 😂

[@dustinhester6242]

Same here

[@cephasmartin8593]

I'm an old, old stick welder, but I have always wanted a mig welder, so at 72 I bought a good one. Luckily, it came with a thickness gauge and inside of the cover to the wire storage and drive mechanism is a chart for the recommended settings. The little welding that I've done with it, the recommended settings give me excellent results. I've chosen to use flux core wire because I don't do enough welding to justify the hassle of using gas. My welder is dual voltage, but thus far I've only welded with 110 volts, but I have a project pending where I'll need 220 volts because of the thickness of the metal I'll be welding. I appreciate these welding videos because there are differences between stick and mig welding. I wish I could have afforded a mig welder when I was young. Being a farmer, it seemed like there was always something that needed to be welded.

[@MBwelding]

I’ve been welding for a living almost 20 years all with smaw . Every time I touched a mig it was just a fight, and since my work is outside 99% of the time I just never really learned. This helped so much thank you for sharing your experience. I’m looking forward to doing more shop work with my mig set up.

[@stuartlloyd1746]

Perfectly explained with no silly music or nonsense, just the useful stuff explained in a sensible way.

[@queuerious]

Tim, thanks for this short lesson. Directly from your teaching, I’ve made more sense of wire welding (the curious relationship of wire speed and ultimately heat into the work piece) than a lot of readings on the web. Thanks!

[@deanford7407]

Best description I’ve seen of what the arc is doing in short circuit and why voltage affects the transfer process.

[@bud1412]

Tim, I watched this 6 months ago, and still keep referring to it. Thanks you gain love these type videos.

[@carthius]

I love the sound of a Mig running smooth theres something soothing about that hiss it gives. It drives me insane when im watching something like Forged in Fire when they are trying to mig metal together and its just popping like a firecracker and you just see bird nest all over it

[@mnkb2]

Really nice video and explained well. With not a bunch of talking. Straight to the point. Thank you!

[@MadQuixote]

Thank you! Getting back into welding after 10+ years and this is exactly what I forgot. A lot of useful info in such a short vid, you're awesome!

[@nicholascrosby8182]

This is a tremendous help. I hadn't welded in a LONG time and forgot all the basics. This and the technique video are a must for anyone how wants to start with mig welding.

[@davidgates1122]

I was taught to weld with a torch and stick in high school metal shop class. I was taught to TIG weld in college during exam week right before I graduated (perks of having a job working for the Physics department -- this was not part of any curriculum). My gift for my first father's day was a MIG. I had to teach myself. Now we have KZbin (KZbin did not come out until my first born was almost 10). Some of the videos have helped a little. This is the first one to explain what is actually going on. I have been setting the voltage first and have nearly always had to set it at the highest. I know that can't be right. I am going to try it your way, and perhaps I will be able to get decent welds all the time instead of having my "good days and bad days" like I do now. Thanks for taking the time to make this video and actually explain how the welding process works. For those of us with an educational background in Physics, we learn better when we understand the how and why in addition to the what.

[@totalplacementstaffing6027]

I have been trying to learn Mig. You gave SUPER info that is exactly what I needed to hear. Specifically, the sound we need to be listing for and just as important, how to adjust for problems, too cold or too hot. SUPER vid. Keep it up!

[@dannydalton2317]

Great video to explain how to set up any machine! Needed a lil brush up before this weld test/job interview, thanks man!

[@mikem6176]

I bought an inexpensive multi mode welder last year. It does MIG, stick, and can be set up for TIG. I’ve done a little MIG welding with it, and I’m really glad i finally bought one, but it didn’t come with a chart. And the instructions are a bit lacking in that area as well, so it’s been more trial & error than anything else.

[@GodlessArtist]

Thank you for making these videos. Truly. I am a theatre carpenter and I'm starting to be asked to fabricate some things which need steel structure. I learned stick welding 20 years ago and have never had the opportunity to use mig. Now that I have access to a welder, I'm starting fresh and your tutorials are going to keep me safe and shorten my learning curve a lot!

[@NielsRymenams]

Thank you for this no-nonsense, easy-to-follow and clearly explained video! I recently started welding (DIY) and I keep struggling with figuring out the right settings on my machine. Turns out I went the other way around and started with setting the voltage and trying to match the wire speed. Now... on to your other videos! I hope they are as informative as this one.

[@TimWelds]

Glad I could help!

[@vladimirneutrino497]

Awesome explanation of how wire speed and voltage work together.

[@howardhughes6212]

That drawing of the mig gun is impressive. Detailed and realistic

[@TheTaysoren]

The last 30 seconds of the video were exactly what I needed; I was burning through my material.

[@chrisseitz5671]

That was one of the biggest helps that I have heard on understanding the settings. I had it completely backwards. Thank you for your explanation.

[@bullsmoothtime]

great pace and great explanation and reasoning, i like the addition of what sound you're looking for to really cement what to look for, great vid! subbed :D

[@gregroles5638]

LEGEND. great to the point video, been blowing holes and spattering for years as I'm an occasional welder, looking forward to todays job now!!!

[@mandyspacek1087]

Very well explained- you are the 'go to' in learning the basics- I have copped abuse from guys who tell me to 'leave welding to the big boys', what wankers, but this only makes me so much more determined to 'nail it'. Most on youtube are terrible at explaining and expect you to know the basics and just go straight to the 'hard core layin dimes' business, so Thank you so much! 20/10!

[@powerwagon3731]

Thanks! I have been using a flux core Lincoln for 20 years and I got pretty good at it for a part timer but now I just got a Millermatic 200 and It is like starting over the learning curve. Just subscribed.

[@johnjabster2247]

Great instruction Tim you are a true professional.

[@Choober65]

THE BEST MIG welding tutorial I have seen on the internet. Subbed, liked. EXCELLENT.

[@tundeclipse]

awesome video! love the ease in the way you simplify it for the beginner. Effortless and ive gone through a few of your videos now and im pumped to go in the shop and try what youve shown. Thank you!

[@rich5034]

Thanks. I appreciate the samples shown along side the voltage settings.

[@johnmacmillan627]

Thanks Tim, this clarified the voltage/wire speed relationship that I always found confusing. Still a few things about it that I find confusing but found your explanation very helpful

[@lamdra8262]

You taught me a lot and I’ve owned my machine for two years🤦‍♂️, you earned a sub💯

[@fltchr4449]

Great overall explanation and the best I've come across for the effect of voltage on arc length. Higher voltages can overcome greater resistance and span longer gaps. And, longer gaps draw more voltage to maintain the arc (that's for constant current welding, not constant voltage.)

[@jku72]

And thank you for addressing the problems- all of which I experienced and didn’t understand why. Excellent

[@philgoogle1535]

Thanks Tim for another informative video. I'll be watching this one a few more times 👍

[@red-can-help]

thank you Tim for the wonderful comment and example. I will practice using your comment. really appreciated.

[@hwfranjr]

Watched a lot of videos on here,just got my machine and never welded,this guy showed me what I needed to do,thanks fella. I started with just learning to tack weld,my first job will be tacking wire mesh to square tubeing for a cat cage. I’m getting good at it now,looks good for a beginner and actually holds good,cant beat it apart on my practice PICES,lol. Again thanks,practice makes perfect guys,lol

[@ArjayAntolijao-us2cl]

Thank you very much sir . I'm filipino.and ilike your vid. An very helpful me because I'm beginer. God bless always sir 🙏

[@viviennehateley1843]

Clear and precise, thank you..

[@sljack1671]

Thanks Tim! Great lesson. Love your videos. I am working my way through them.

[@nicolas-patiencebasabose7995]

This is what I was looking for. 60/5 sounds like a magical combo.

[@chelseyr4280]

Keep doing what your doing my man. I have learned so much from your videos. I literally knew nothing haha but I started welding at my job an you have given me the foundation to grow on! Your explanations are so simple you make it easy! Appreciate you Tim!

[@SiR2Dean]

You've just got one if those voices that's pleasant to listen to and want to learn from. Good work sir.

[@djvanchezkenya8194]

Honestly I've learnt a lot about the Settings. Thanks

[@bogossen2329]

Of all the videos I've watched, I've learned more from this one than any of the other ones combined.

[@DadCMusic]

Glad I watched this video so soon in my journey (day two). I was treating this like souldering, thinking I could cool the pool and fill my trench by cranking up the wire speed. Had no clue I was making it worse.

[@joesoap9385]

From South Africa. Thank you Tim

[@christopheralvarado9257]

Finally a video that explains welding for true beginners. Learned so much more from this single video. Thx 👍

[@garyoneill8868]

Tim, thankyou, that was a fantastic tutorial and I learned a lot from it. And it was, generally speaking, one of the best tutorials I've ever seen on any subject. Well done.

[@noahlefrancois3775]

Out of all the videos I’ve looked at this one was the best one

[@johncrump1682]

Very informative and professionally explained. Instructions that can be followed by most anyone. Very good job 👌.

[@user-hb8be5wb4q]

Tim I learned more in that few minutes than all the slide rules, pc, whatever, in a long, long time. I subbed and give you a high five, cause I could only do that once! THANK YOU! I am 76+ and I are gonna weld, I HOPE!

[@christopherwhitney2711]

Tim your tutorials are the first time this has gelled into understanding for me. You present a perfect blend of explanation and practical demonstration, all tempered with practicality. Thanks mate, If you were a gun shearer, you'd be the Ringer, Good one 👍

[@flyboykfpr]

One of the better videos on welding. Good explanations.

[@stevee1350]

Hi Tim, really good vid. I learned more in a few minutes than in the last 6 months!

[@greatalberto-engineering]

Starting with MIG, and you teaching me good!

[@lebogangmolale5060]

I’m speechless💁I’ve learned a lot about how to set my wire speed and Voltage🙏thanks

[@terrymcintosh1763]

I just started a new job using mig welding robots. This was VERY helpful.

[@stephs5530]

Clear and too the point, good video man

[@twayland6186]

Thanks for this video. I needed a simple explanation to make information i had been to finally click in my mind. This was very easy to understand

[@Oliveirafarmer]

this is the best video of this on youtube man, Thank you 🤓👍🏻

[@dandeangeli9860]

very helpful I'm glad you ran it on different levels of power to show the difference of range.

[@joew1865]

Great video. You looked a lot more relaxed and confident than in the first MIG setup video 👨‍🏭. Good work 👍

[@yourlocalalexis4578]

thank you very much for your simplified explanation!

[@Littrell1966]

Best explanation I have seen! Thanks!!

[@musadlamini3054]

Thank you so much I'm testing on Monday 🙏

[@rodwright225]

Thanks Tim, love those welding vocals , and all the video 😎👍👍

[@shanecollins3271]

Thank you iv just started my first welding job and using mig this should really help me as I'm using a miller migmatic 380 and can't get uniform welds all around

[@benboyle617]

awsome video, making lockdown projects in NZ easier. Thankyou

[@not2late2game53]

That was good - simple - to see what I need, to get the right setting. Thanks

[@builder6477]

You were very helpful and to the point, thanks.

[@readchp]

Very well explained. Also very good photography. Good job.

[@johnathonarnold9070]

I learned more about how to work with my machine in this video than my half semester at school on mig.

[@WrenagadeWorkshop]

Thank you for that most clear explainenation, I am actually exited to try my new MIG now :)

[@TimWelds]

You're gonna love it!

[@blessedandtalented113]

@@TimWelds what about MIG machines that are set up to gas bottles, how do you set those?

[@and29799]

Excellent - well explained in simple language.

[@sogno2me]

Thank you. This video was very helpful.

[@rcytb]

Great teaching as usual. Thank you.

[@petertrickett2911]

Thankyou Tim! Very knowledgeable!

[@josephburnham4621]

Great job again on your Tutorial!

[@christiancordero4060]

Awesome,you explained it very well,thanks.

[@tfconstruction5969]

Love your free tutorials better then most placement instructors

[@filmasart]

That was a great video as a beginner thank you!

[@curtislathrop]

Taking a welding test today nervous about up hill but I think I got this ✨

[@pawo100]

Thank you! From Sweden

[@alardon1126]

Great Tutorial, Thanks!

[@seabass22]

Nice video. So if I want it cooler, turn down wire speed. Got it. I had it backwards, messing with the voltage. Thanks man!

[@lanceryan1203]

This is the video I’ve been looking for 👍

[@markbrynteson5141]

I did learn something! Thank you!

[@glennmeyer4197]

Excellent explanation and information. Thank you.

[@jessieramirez8588]

You Literally cured my Problem 😂 LOVE bro !

[@mariusdragomir303]

Thanks to you!

[@ificandoityoucandoit6507]

Awesome tutorial , thanks

[@rienzcomputechmobility1910]

Thanks dude, its really helping me out...

[@JamesSavanhu-kp1mb]

you are a great instructer. l am going to try tomorrow

[@Sailingon]

That was better than most, I like that you put how it sounds when good instead of it sounds like bacon. I'm going to be putting this into practice today 😊

[@busasquid]

Great video it helped a lot thank you 🙏

[@aleinhorn5162]

Good presentation, Thank you.

[@emilionoriega4708]

Sound showing off whats right and wrong was super helpful

[@randallbaltzer234]

Nice job, excellent teacher..thank you

[@ASCOAL]

Very helpful thank you TIm

[@user-ep3iz4lb4z]

Dear Tim, You have explained this information in a very easy-to-understand and apply manner. Could you please explain the pulse mode for mig? What does it do to the weld puddle? How and when to use it? And how to set it up correctly? Also, please make a video on metal deformation during the welding process. And how to correct, if the part has deformed? Thank you.