Welding Tips and Tricks

MIG Should be called FIG.
Silly I know, but Filler Inert Gas makes more sense to me.
guess I've been welding galvo or around degreasers too long.

Welders don't seem to be too worried about using the correct terminology...at least for the most part.

The term MIG isn't really correct unless you're welding aluminum with 100% argon.

The normal gasses for steel or stainless aren't inert, so it simply can't be "Metal Inert Gas" and be correct. That's part of why the more moderns/correct name is GMAW....Gas Metal Arc Welding.

Flux core and dual-shield only add to the confusion.

The good thing is it's great fodder for internet arguments. Toss in the incorrect term "ground cable/clamp" and you can really get a good battle going online....lol

G-ManBart wrote: ↑Tue Aug 17, 2021 12:15 pm Welders don't seem to be too worried about using the correct terminology...at least for the most part.

The term MIG isn't really correct unless you're welding aluminum with 100% argon.

The normal gasses for steel or stainless aren't inert, so it simply can't be "Metal Inert Gas" .....

yeah, thats why its called MAG. quite common to see a welder listed as a mig/mag welder.

Metal In Gap

tweake wrote: ↑Tue Aug 17, 2021 11:57 pm

G-ManBart wrote: ↑Tue Aug 17, 2021 12:15 pm Welders don't seem to be too worried about using the correct terminology...at least for the most part.

The term MIG isn't really correct unless you're welding aluminum with 100% argon.

The normal gasses for steel or stainless aren't inert, so it simply can't be "Metal Inert Gas" .....

yeah, thats why its called MAG. quite common to see a welder listed as a mig/mag welder.

Even MAG isn't always correct. If someone is using straight C02 it's MAG, if they're welding aluminum with 100% Argon is MIG and if they're using a mix of C02 and argon (or a tri-mix) it's neither. GMAW is the only overarching term that isn't at least partially wrong.

MIG and MAG are sub-sets of GMAW.

Well just to add a twist, all the formal literature I have seen from the welding machine manufacturers and the American Welding Society call it GMAW (gas metal arc welding) not MIG or MAG. Likewise flux core is FCAW, and TIG is GTAW