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Slope in MIG welding is defined as the rate of drop in voltage as the amperage increases while welding. It is also known as the volt ampere curve. This affects the pinch point timing of the weld, or in more simple terms, it affects where the wire is pinched off and melted into a ball before it transfers to the puddle during the weld. A related term is called inductance, which is what controls the slope, and they are often referred to interchangeably since the net effect is the same. Many of the transformer welders have fixed slope.

Gouging may be a term you apply to your local welding distributor, but it is also a type of cutting process used in the welding industry to remove large amounts of undesirable metal. Gouging may be performed with either an oxy fuel torch, air carbon arc torch or a plasma cutter. This process uses a flame or arc that is less intense than the one used for cutting. It is generally broader and less defined. It is also held at an angle to the metal.

A lot of technical information has been written on the root pass. But for a beginner, it can be difficult to digest. Hopefully, we can boil it down to the basics. Most welds, whether MIG, TIG or Stick are made in multiple passes, particularly when the metal is over ¼” thick. Even on 1/8” to 3/16” metal two passes may be a good idea. The first pass is called the “root” pass. It anchors and supports all the other welds.

To weave weld or to run a stringer, that is the question. Many modern welding schools tend to teach that weaving is evil, and that stringers can only guarantee a good weld. Old timers will run weave passes all day long without a single issue. A stringer bead does present the least amount of possibility of inclusions and flaws in the weld. But a true weave can accomplish the same amount of work with less passes, and speed up overall welding time. So what should you use? When should you use it? Truthfully, this is a difficult answer.

Once you begin to TIG weld with your Everlast AC/DC PowerTig, no doubt, you’ll want to begin welding aluminum at some point. Try to resist jumping right into aluminum first if you can. One of the problems with welding aluminum is that it isn’t very forgiving.  Welding aluminum before you learn to TIG weld steel is like jumping into an advanced calculus course, before you learn algebra. Starting on steel first is recommended. Steel allows more forgiveness in the weld technique, and melts more controlled so you have more time to add the filler.

Not everyone has access to a welding school or a local union hall to get experience in welding. But nearly every one that has enough to scratch together a welder and a few shop tools can begin to learn how to weld, even if formal education is unavailable.

One of the most popular welders in the US for hobbyist is perhaps the MIG welder. MIG welding is a simple and easy way to learn the basics of welding. However, there are some difficulties that offer a challenge to new welders. One of the very first challenges one encounters is the loading of the welding wire.

Adjusting for proper gas flow is not an exact science, though general guidelines are published all over the web and are available with a click of a button. Gas is expensive and too much is a waste, and can even cause issues with turbulence and gas coverage over the weld, leading to the same problem experienced with too little gas flow:  welding porosity.

Forget about all the things you have heard about difficulties with TIG welding. One of the single most important things that can be done to reduce the difficulty of TIG is to control the arc length. The arc length is the distance between the tungsten and the base metal, that the arc travels between. Arc stability is one of the difficulties encountered in TIG welding both steel, stainless and aluminum.

Never give up on your dream of welding if you have one. It may be just the thing you need. I’ve talked to so many people who use it as a therapy for their high stress jobs. Once the hood comes down, they describe this feeling of complete concentration and at the same time a feeling of utter relaxation. Speaking from personal experience, as a person who welds regularly, welding is something that can be hot, dangerous, frustrating, and even bankrupting. But they’re right. When that hood is down, you are in another world.