THE HOME WORKSHOP JOURNAL Welding · Metalwork · Garage setup
GARAGEWELDMAKE SOMETHING THAT LASTS.
Menu

How to Wire the Leads and Plug In a Lincoln AC 225 Arc Welder

Workshop illustration for How to Wire the Leads and Plug In a Lincoln AC 225 Arc Welder — AI-generated

The Lincoln Electric AC 225 is one of the most common transformer-based stick welders you’ll find in home workshops and small fabrication shops. Simple as it is, getting the leads connected correctly and the plug wired safely makes the difference between a welder that performs well and one that trips breakers or creates a shock … Read more

MIG Weld Parts: Every Component Explained and What It Does

Workshop illustration for MIG Weld Parts: Every Component Explained and What It Does — AI-generated

If you’re setting up a MIG welder for the first time — or troubleshooting one that’s misbehaving — knowing what each part does makes everything click faster. A MIG welder isn’t one single machine; it’s a system of components that have to work together correctly. A MIG welder consists of several key parts: the power … Read more

Perfect MIG Weld: What It Looks Like and How to Achieve It

Workshop illustration for Perfect MIG Weld: What It Looks Like and How to Achieve It — AI-generated

Getting a MIG weld that looks clean, holds strong, and passes visual inspection isn’t just about running a bead and hoping for the best. It takes the right settings, technique, and understanding of what a good weld actually is. A perfect MIG weld has consistent width, smooth ripples, full fusion at both edges, and no … Read more

MIG Welding Stainless Steel Exhaust: What You Need to Know Before Striking an Arc

Workshop illustration for MIG Welding Stainless Steel Exhaust: What You Need to Know Before Striking an Arc — AI-generated

Stainless steel exhaust systems are common on performance builds, diesel trucks, and custom fabrications. They resist corrosion and handle heat better than mild steel. But when it comes time to repair or fabricate one, a lot of welders hit trouble fast. MIG welding stainless exhaust is absolutely doable, but it requires the right wire, the … Read more

MIG Weld Process: How It Works and How to Do It Right

Workshop illustration for MIG Weld Process: How It Works and How to Do It Right — AI-generated

MIG welding is one of the most widely used welding processes in the world — from auto body repair to structural fabrication. If you’re new to it or trying to sharpen your technique, understanding how the process actually works makes everything else easier. MIG welding (Metal Inert Gas welding) is a semi-automatic arc welding process … Read more

MIG Welding Travel Speed Chart: How Fast Should You Move?

Workshop illustration for MIG Welding Travel Speed Chart: How Fast Should You Move? — AI-generated

Getting the right travel speed in MIG welding is one of those variables that experienced welders adjust instinctively — but for everyone else, it can silently ruin an otherwise decent weld. MIG welding travel speed typically ranges from 10 to 30 inches per minute (IPM), depending on material thickness, wire diameter, voltage, and wire feed … Read more

MIG Weld Patterns: Which One to Use and When

Workshop illustration for MIG Weld Patterns: Which One to Use and When — AI-generated

The torch pattern you run during a MIG weld affects more than just appearance. It influences penetration depth, heat distribution, bead width, and how well the fusion ties into the base metal on both sides of the joint. MIG welding uses three primary torch movement patterns: straight (stringer) beads, weaving patterns, and circular or cursive … Read more