ESAB CIGWELD EasyWeld 130 Operating Manual page 48

EasyWeld / HandyWeld 130
Distance from the MIG Gun Nozzle to the Work Piece
The electrode wire stick out from the MIG Gun nozzle should be between 10mm to 20mm. This distance may
vary depending on the type of joint that is being welded.
Travel Speed
The speed at which the molten pool travels influences the width of the weld and penetration of the welding run.
MIG Welding (GMAW) Variables
Most of the welding done by all processes is on carbon steel. The items below describe the welding variables
in short-arc welding of 24gauge (0.024", 0.6mm) to ¼" (6.4mm) mild sheet or plate. The applied techniques
and end results in the GMAW process are controlled by these variables.
Preselected Variables
Preselected variables depend upon the type of material being welded, the thickness of the material, the welding
position, the deposition rate and the mechanical properties. These variables are:
• Type of electrode wire
• Size of electrode wire
• Type of gas (not applicable to self shielding wires FCAW)
• Gas flow rate (not applicable to self shielding wires FCAW)
Primary Adjustable Variables
These control the process after preselected variables have been found. They control the penetration, bead
width, bead height, arc stability, deposition rate and weld soundness. They are:
• Arc Voltage
• Welding current (Wire Feed Speed)
• Travel speed
Secondary Adjustable Variables
These variables cause changes in primary adjustable variables which in turn cause the desired change in the
bead formation. They are:
1. Stick-out (distance between the end of the contact tube (tip) and the end of the electrode wire). Maintain
at about 10mm stick-out.
2. Wire Feed Speed. Increase in Wire Feed Speed increases weld current, Decrease in Wire Feed Speed
decreases weld current.
MIG (GMAW) WELDING
Gas Nozzle
Tip to
Work Distance
Average Arc Length
Electrode Stick-Out
Figure 5-32
5-16
Contact Tip (Tube)
Electrode Wire
Actual Stick-out
Art # A-08997_AD
Manual 0-5618