Metabo 170-230 Specifications download pdf (Page 10)

6 Practical Hints for MIG Welding

This distance required between the torch and the workpiece is directly related to the welding current:

● small current = small distance

● high current = greater distance

Too little distance causes excessive wear of the contact tip and gas shroud. Too much distance will not provide

enough gas protection of the welding seam, it becomes porous.

Move the welding gun along the seam in a steady motion, always keeping the same distance between the torch

and workpiece.

Welding may be done either forehand or backhand, in a straight line or, with larger gaps, in a pendulum motion.

MIG welding is suitable for thin plate welding, as well as for welding thicker materials of up to 12 mm.

For thin plate welding we recommend the use of electrode wire of 0.6 mm diameter and a mixed shielding gas.

Welding Preparations

Attach earth clamp to work piece as close as possible to the welding seam (remove rust, paint etc. to ensure good

conducting). Set welding current and wire feed speed with welding step selector and wire feed speed regulator as

required. Make trial runs on scrap material to find correct setting.

6.1 Earth Cable

Connect earth cable plug to Earth Cable Socket on the machine's front panel. Use only genuine Elektra Beckum

parts with recommended cross sections. Structural components, beams, pipes or rails should not be used for earth

conducting, if they are not the actual workpiece. When using welding tables or jigs ensure proper conducting.

6.2 Gas Flow Setting

The correct amount of shielding gas and a steady gas flow at the welding seam are essential to provide sufficient

shielding of the weld pool. Insufficient shielding causes porous welding seams.

Rule of thumb to calculate the shielding gas flow rate required:

Amount of gas in ltr/min = 10 x the electrode wire diameter in mm

Example: Wire diameter 1.0 mm requires a gas flow rate of 10 ltr/min.

Diagram showing the exact gas flow rate required, accounting for different welding current settings

Gas flow rate

in ltr/min

Gas shroud

diameter in mm

Welding current in A

Steel

7 Maintenance

The contact tip and gas shroud are the parts most exposed to the radiant heat of the arc and thus are normal

wearing parts. They have to be cleaned regularly of spatters and sprayed with anti-clogging spray.

Execessive built-up of spatters can short-circuit contact tip and gas shroud, ruining both. Spatter built-up inside

the gas shroud also affects the gas flow to the welding seam.

The machine has to be checked in regular intervals for visible damages.

Dust built-up inside the machine can reduce the duty cycle considerably and may even cause a short circuit. Check

regularly and clean if necessary.

Before removing side panel be sure that machine is disconnected from power supply to prevent injury from electric

shock.

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Metabo 170-230 Specifications Page 10