Push or Pull with a MIG welder

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Who here pushes or pulls with their mig welder?I was told to Push and you get more/better penetration..Is this true?
Reply:Hey pyro,I believe most will indicate that the "push" method will give you better results with MIG. I strictly push with MIG and only on inside corners, depending on configuration, do I pull on occasion. Also, you will find that the closer to 90 deg. you position your MIG gun, the better penetration you will get. The more you tilt the gun, the flatter the bead will be, and is sometimes best when welding very thin metals. I maintain a fairly good tilt when welding floorpans on the classic cars I do restoration work on. That really helps avoiding burnthru. Anyway, That's what I do....others will offer their particular best methods....   DennyComplete Welding/Machine/Fab. ShopMobile UnitFinally retired*Moderator*"A man's word is his honor...without honor there is nothing.""Words are like bullets.... Once they leave your muzzle, you cannot get them back."
Reply:Hi Pyro, my understanding and experience is the same as Yorkiepap's.If you don't want to stand behind our Troops, feel free to stand in front of them.
Reply:I do a little of both. I try to push, but its not always an option for me. But I generally keep the gun at a 90 degree angle from the work.Lincoln PowerMIG 215XTLincoln Precision TIG 225Hypertherm 300
Reply:I always push with hardwire, I pull a little bit when using outershield.
Reply:I always pull and I am a weekend hack if that tells you anything. Perhaps I am always doing it wrong. I was told or read that pushing gives better gas coverage and penetrates less. Pulling penetrates more. Sounds like my thoughts and knowledge on the matter may be wrong?BrentLincoln 3200HD MIGLincoln AC/DC 225 Stick
Reply:Push or Forehand preheats the metal to make a flatter less penetrating bead.Pull or Backhand does not preheat the metal so it penetrates deeper making a taller narrower bead.I use what the job calls for.  If I want to go deep, backhand.  If I don't want to burn through and have a flatter bead, Forehand.MOST of the time I use backhand.  I usually weld stuff over 1/4".No one is wrong.  Its a choice and for me it gives me more options to make a better weld.  Straight in is also a great way to weld.DavidReal world weldin.  When I grow up I want to be a tig weldor.
Reply:I push everywhere I can with GMAW, but FCAW I usually pull. It seems to work better. I do most of my work outdoors where wind direction can have some serious effects. When using flux core I have found that you get better results welding into the wind. It really all depends on what you are trying to do.The difference between art and craft is the quality of the workmanship. I am an artist.
Reply:I've always pulled with Mig. Its just a sight thing with me I think. Its a habit that I'll probably never break. I seldom ever push with Mig.Patriot Performance AutoLincoln Power Mig 255CLincoln AC-225 StickVictor Journeyman O/AQuincy QT-5 Compressor
Reply:Originally Posted by David RPush or Forehand preheats the metal to make a flatter less penetrating bead.Pull or Backhand does not preheat the metal so it penetrates deeper making a taller narrower bead.I use what the job calls for.  If I want to go deep, backhand.  If I don't want to burn through and have a flatter bead, Forehand.MOST of the time I use backhand.  I usually weld stuff over 1/4".No one is wrong.  Its a choice and for me it gives me more options to make a better weld.  Straight in is also a great way to weld.David
Reply:What method do you guys use when doing GMAW overhead?BTW: Found this Vidhttp://www.expertvillage.com/video/7...-push-pull.htmLast edited by Qucifer; 02-08-2008 at 09:18 PM.Reason: Add Video LinkMiller Syncrowave 200Hobart Handler 140Thermal Dynamics Cutmaster 38E-Z Tube BenderPlasma Cam DHC2
Reply:I agree with the previous replys, you can do either depending on what it is you are welding. Usually with SS or aluminum its better to push. In reguard to the overhead I would tend to say to push to avoid sagging, but pulling can be done. Again, it mostly depends on what type/size/condition of the material you are working with.
Reply:Slight push or straight in for overhead for me.  Otherwise the bead sags.  David Real world weldin.  When I grow up I want to be a tig weldor.
Reply:Overhead I usually use a very slight, almost straight in pull. Most of the time when I do overhead it is usually in tight quarters and hard to get any position, so it has to be adjusted depending on what you can do. Sometimes there aren't any options. My advice is experiment and see what works for you. With gmaw on ornamental or something that I want to really look slick I push. In a fillet I push. Straight butt, flat I push. Beveled I pull.The difference between art and craft is the quality of the workmanship. I am an artist.
Reply:Some folks like one way some like the other. I look at it like just three different bead profiles or three different results is all. Depends on what you either need to accomplish or want to accomplish. Push, pull or perpandicular to the weld all work better or worse or plain don't matter, it depends. I think lincoln has a nice little snapshot of the different profiles on their site in the free tutorial section. Don't know where right off hand, but I've seen it a few times. I think Esab may have something real similar on their site too.Last edited by Sandy; 02-08-2008 at 10:36 PM.
Reply:Here's esabs nice description.  http://www.esabna.com/EUWeb/MIG_handbook/592mig7_9.htm
Reply:I do both, push and pull depending on the situation. For me overhead does better with a slightly higher wire speed, and a push, otherwise the bead sags as well. I have also noticed how much better my overhead welds come out if I take the time to properly clean the weld area, and proide a real nice fitup before welding.Anyone else experiment with wire speed for overhead?Miller Syncrowave 200Hobart Handler 140Thermal Dynamics Cutmaster 38E-Z Tube BenderPlasma Cam DHC2
Reply:Wire speed overhead?  HECK YEAH.   Clean Overhead Uh HUH!I used to attempt overhead or vertical up with the same settings as flat.  It didn't work.  If the piece was dirty, the wire would burn off before it even got to the plate.  Little balls on the end of the wire.  Then I learned to turn the voltage down, OR the wire speed up.  Both give the same result.  Then I learned to clean what I am welding so the weld "sticks" better.  Overhead is much easier with the machine adjustment and really clean plate.  On a good day I can even sneak in a small weave.  I also use a slight push with 7018 overhead.  Maybe 5*.DavidReal world weldin.  When I grow up I want to be a tig weldor.
Reply:I push and pull.. It all depends on what material.. Overhead I usually push with a slight weave.. It just takes time to figure out what is best for what your trying to weld...
Reply:I improved my cleaning techniques for overhead the first time a hot ball of weld fell into my ear hole. Strange welding position under a trailer.Miller Syncrowave 200Hobart Handler 140Thermal Dynamics Cutmaster 38E-Z Tube BenderPlasma Cam DHC2
Reply:Push or pull, depends in what you are doing. Here is a novel ideal since I haven't seen anyone mention it yet. When you are learning to weld with any process, stick, TIG, MIG, O/A, whatever, experiment. Read some books to get an idea, then try the ideas out. Don't be afraid to change the setting with what ever process you are using. Weld up some stuff. Try a piece pushing the weld, then break it and see what you did. Do the same thing pulling. Try different angles with your torch and see what happens. If you do this then you will see and know what is going to happen. Make sure you can see your puddle clearly and that will tell you how your weld will turn out. You have to learn to weld by doing it. We can only give you advice on what we have learned and it will make it easier but you have to learn it your self. I have seen quite a bit of advice given out on this website that I know is pure bullmanure. Some of it could get you hurt. The best way to learn is to experiment and practice, practice, practice, and practice some more. After a while you will know what is going to happen when you weld something Long winded rant over.
Reply:I never pull, unless the torch or rod holder, and line of sight does not permit me to push. I do not like to push if I cannot see where I am going, like into a blind corner, in a cramped space, or a spot with limited places to see the weld from. I know a lot of guys that pull, and the only thing I have noticed is that sometimes they get done and the puddle is on top of the piece to be welded. I have even seen pieces on approved scaffolding fall off, because the weld was on top of the pipe. It looks like they pull the torch when building scaffolding. Or at least some did at one time.If I push, I can tell you if I penetrated or not. If I pull, I am not really sure. Straight up and down is also fine for me. But I am looking from the side to be welded. I watch the puddle and I can see how deep it penetrated. I usually use a #11 lens in the helmet. For low power MIG on sheet metal. If I am doing 1/4" aluminum I will get a #12 lens.I know a lot of guys use their #10 lens their only lens, and I know they cannot see the puddle.        Sincerely,             William McCormick