MIG welding... Push, Pull, Drag????

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What technique is preferred or recommended for MIG welding?I have a hard time seeing what I'm doing when I push the gun so I end up dragging it so I can see the weld. The instructor says whatever works but that doesn't sound like it's the "correct" answer......
Reply:Depends a lot on what you are doing. The guy who taught me vertical and overhead mig years ago was very concerned about keeping heat input down with the high strength steel he usually welds, so everything was push. You get less heat input and a flatter bead that way. This was in prep for 3G and 4G unlimited plate certs, so it's not like you can't get decent penetration doing it this way like some think.I know a few other guys who passed different certs using a drag method.FC mig is all drag because of the flux..No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth! Ronald Reagan
Reply:Originally Posted by DSW FC mig is all drag because of the flux.
Reply:Sorry, because you can bury slag in the weld if you push using a FC wire or stick. The process wants to push the slag away from it and then the filler metal rolls over it trapping the slag in the weld. When you pull the slag gets pushed away from the puddle and builds up behind the weld pool reducing the likelihood that you bury slag. The general rule is "if there's slag, you drag"..No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth! Ronald Reagan
Reply:dsw, if you are welding stick vertical up, how do you drag the rod?  would this be considered pushing the rod, therefor putting the slag in the weld.  or is vertical/overhead different as far as slag inclusion compared to flat?
Reply:Mostly I'm almost straight in doing vertical with stick. You also have gravity to help you deal with slag there. Your issue with stick and slag would be running vertical down with say 7018, where the slag runs down in front of the bead as you go causing the same issues. Like most general rules of thumb, there are always exceptions to the rule ( such as running 6010 down) and skill and experience can allow you to do many things that often "break" the "rules".I'll be the 1st to admit stick isn't my best process. I have other ways to do the same thing that are easier and cleaner most times, and don't put the time in that I should to keep my stick skills from getting rusty. If I need to do stick for some reason, I'll always take some time and run practice beads to get back in the swing of things. I know enough to deal with the basics, but compared to some here who do stick day in, day out, there's still a lot I can learn..No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth! Ronald Reagan
Reply:The books tell you to push MIG at about a 5 degree angle and drag dual shield. I will tell you right now that I ALWAYS get nicer and flatter dual shield welds with less spatter by pushing it slightly. I have always heard people claim it traps slag but I have passed countless XRays and UT's using the push method.CERTIFICATIONS:7018M- H.V.O10718M- H.V.O11018M- H.V.O9N10- H.V.O71T-1-HYM- H.O.V100S1 PULSE ARC 0,035- H.O.V100S1 PULSE ARC 0.045- H.O.VER70S-3 PULSE ARC 0.035 H.O.VER70S-3 PULSE ARC 0.045 H.O.VER5554- H.O.V
Reply:the adjustment from push to straight to pull can be a useful adjustment of heat input in practiced hands without having to stop and make a fine adjustment on the machine in the middle of a weld.Dynasty 200DXPassport plus w/ spoolmate 100victor 315c oxy/(act and prop)Miller digital elitemilwaukee power tools