The first thing you need to do is purchase a MIG welder and the proper gear. Mig welding is probably one of the easiest types of welding to learn, but you should practice on scrap metal before working on your favorite project.
Always purchase the right safety gear. A welding helmet should be the first item on your list. I would recommend a battery operated, auto darkening welding helmet. You will also need to get proper clothing and gloves. Basically, you should cover up your entire body. MIG welders throw off sparks which can burn your skin.
Next, pick a suitable location to start welding. A large concrete work floor, such as your driveway, is always a good place. Remember that using a welder always has a fire hazard because the sparks it gives off generate heat, so keep a bucket of water or a fire extinguisher nearby at all times.
Now you are ready to start operating your MIG welder. There are three main things to consider which will determine how good your weld is. These are the tip voltage, rate of feed and how fast you move the tip.
The voltage is used to control the penetration, feed rate of the wire will adjust the arc length and your movement of the tip controls the transfer of metal to your work area. If you adjust the voltage lower, the weld will sit on top and setting it too high will just create a hole. This is the main reason you need to practice to get a feel of it.
Now you need to find a good speed to move the tip. If the tip moves too fast, you will hear loud popping noises and lose the arc. If you move it too slow, the tip might melt and fuse to your work, which is a real hassle. Again, practice is critical and it is not really that hard after a few tries.
Now that you have the right voltage, feed rate and feel comfortable with using the MIG welder, it is time to work on that project. Remember, the key is to keep the tip moving all the time. It will seem tricky at first, but after a while and more experience, you will be welding all sorts of things!
