For MIG welding, a 90% helium, 7. 5% argon, and 2. 5% carbon dioxide mixture is even better.

Austenitic steel is a fairly common type of steel and is often labeled in the 300s. It consists of a high percentage of chromium and some nickel, so it isn’t magnetic. Martensitic steel is used for wear-resistant projects. It is magnetic and produces long, white sparks with few forks. Ferritic is very common and is usually labeled as 409 or 439. Its high carbon content makes it magnetic. When ground, it produces white or red sparks with few forks.

Filler metals are available online or at most home improvement stores. If the pieces of steel you wish to join have different compositions, choose filler according to which piece is less likely to crack. Try to identify the metal using the tools you have. If you still aren’t sure, choose an all-purpose filler. Something like 309L or 312L work well in most situations.

Wear gloves so you don’t transfer oils from your hands onto the steel. The cleaning process eliminates the chance of oxides forming on the base metal, which can weaken the joint. Use other tools to clean the metal as needed. Some welders make use of sandpaper, angle grinders, or even saws.

Butt joints are formed when you lay the sheets flat over one another and weld the edges. Simply melt the metal around the joint to fill it. Use a corner joint or T-joint to connect sides together. Since the joint is hard to access, you need to melt metal above the joint to fill it. Lap joints and edge joints are for connecting edges together. You may benefit from using a filler rod to help fill in the gap between the steel.

Many welding tables come equipped with fixtures or jigs that hold metal in place. If you don’t have another option, try using store-bought clamps or vices. It is possible to hold pieces together by hand while welding, but remember that any small slip-up can weaken the joint. In addition, during TIG welding, both of your hands are already occupied, making this very difficult.

MIG welding is also known as gas metal arc welding (GMAW). Most home improvement stores sell MIG welders. You may also be able to rent one from them.

If you have trouble getting the wire through the torch, chances are it isn’t set correctly. Avoid forcing it. Open the torch and adjust the wire’s positioning.

If the metal splatters, you aren’t using enough power. Turn the torch’s heat setting up. Avoid using too much power, or else you’ll burn through the steel! If the heat melts the metal too quickly, turn the power down until you have a smooth, controllable bead of liquid to work with.

If you move too quickly, you won’t melt the steel enough. The joint will feel flimsy and breakable in your hands. Avoid leaving the flame in place for too long. For thinner pieces of metal, the torch needs to move at a faster pace to avoid melting too much of the metal.

Turn off the gas when you’re finished welding.

TIG welding is also called gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW). TIG welding can create stronger, more lasting joints than MIG welds when done correctly. Check with home improvement stores to buy or rent TIG machines.

The rod needs to be sharpened to a point. If it isn’t yet, grind it down with a tungsten grinder or less expensive bench grinder.

The AC setting is for aluminum, so you don’t want that. The DCEP setting may work for steel, but it’s for stick welding, which won’t create a strong enough weld in most cases.

If you touch the torch to the metal, you may need to turn off the welder and grind the tungsten rod again.

Make sure the liquid metal doesn’t splatter. If it does, your torch isn’t powerful enough. Turn up the amperage on the control panel. Be careful to avoid using too much power, since you will end up melting too much metal.

Dab the filler rod very briefly. If you see clumps of metal forming on the weld, you are melting too much of the filler each time. Doing this correctly strengthens the weld.

Always keep the torch upright in a holster. Laying a hot torch on a flat surface is dangerous and may even lead to fires.