Why does MIG wire sputter when I increase voltage? It’s one of the most common troubleshooting questions in welding, and the answer usually surprises people.…
Author: Rod Mercer
You just spooled fresh wire, set your voltage, and pulled the trigger. Then the arc sputters, the feed motor whines, and nothing moves. Why does a new MIG…
If you’ve ever squeezed the trigger and heard that angry, crackling pop instead of a smooth, steady hiss, you know how frustrating MIG sputtering can be. The…
If you’ve ever asked yourself “MIG wire feed stops: is it the roller, liner or contact tip?”, you already know how frustrating this can be. The machine sounds…
Porosity on thin steel is maddening. You grind, you clean, you set the machine exactly where it says, and then the weld comes out looking like Swiss cheese. So…
If you’re fighting pinholes and craters in fluxcore welds, you already know how frustrating a clean piece of metal can turn into a mess in seconds. Knowing how…
Can poor shielding gas cause MIG porosity even on clean metal? Absolutely. We see this question constantly from welders who did everything right on the surface…
If you’ve already ground the metal down to bright silver, wiped it with acetone, and still watched your weld bead bubble up like a soda can, you’re not alone.…
You’ve fired up the welder, laid down a bead that looks like a row of shiny coins, and then the test piece cracks along the joint. Why do MIG welds look good…
Why are my MIG tacks failing to penetrate thin steel? It’s a frustrating question, and it usually has an answer you can fix in five minutes. Most of the time,…