How to Use Lincoln Electric Welder? (19 STEPS)

How to Use Lincoln Electric Welder

The Lincoln Electric LE31MP is a multi-purpose welder ideal for MIG welding tasks. It has versatility to the next level, and it will let you accomplish every welding project with the expected efficiency.

This welding machine provides the required result for professional and DIY projects. But the main factor is knowing how to use Lincoln Electric welder. Without the correct working procedure, you cannot achieve the required outcome.

Follow this guide to learn.

Step-by-Step Process – How to Use Lincoln Electric Welder

The success of a MIG welding project depends on the preparation. So, you will require a few types of equipment in this project which are listed below.

  • MIG welder
  • Apparel for welding
  • MIG welding wire
  • Metal
  • Shielding gas
  • Air extraction
  • Grinder

Let’s start the MIG welding process.

Step 01: Learning MIG Welding Basics is the Key

MIG welding is also known as Gas Metal Arc Welding. In World War II, the MIG welding process became popular because of its ability to make quick, fast, durable, and reliable joints. This process is now used in several shops and DIY applications.

Step 02: Understood How MIG Welding Works

Taking assistance from a machine, a MIG welding feeds a wire via a contact tip into a MIG gun. The contact tip is charged electrically and transmits the welding current to the wire. Within the base material and the wire, the arc gets established.

Sometimes, an inactive gas is also used that flows the gas nozzle so that the welding process is protected from the atmosphere. Metal transfer can be done following several methods.

  • For thin metals, short-circuit.
  • For heavier metals, Globular transfer
  • For the hottest metals, Spray transfer

Step 03: Understanding the MIG Applications

After learning how to use a Lincoln Electric welder, you can accomplish multiple repairs in your home. Projects like joining or repairing aluminum, stainless steel, mild steel, and other thick materials can easily be handled with a MIG welder. Based on the welding wire and base metal, gases for shielding will differ.

Step 04: Wear the Safety Gears

Welding is a bit challenging, and wearing safety gear, such as protective clothes, face masks, hand gloves, etc., is mandatory.

  • Cover your whole body with protective clothing to protect your skin from Ultraviolet (UV) rays. Wear a welding helmet with a minimum of a #10 darker shade.
  • The workplace should be well-ventilated. If the workstation is in a poorly ventilated area, ensure wearing a vapor mask. This will reduce the chance of inhaling toxic vapor in the welding process.
  • Keep a bucket of sand and a fire extinguisher nearby in your hand.

Step 05: Buy an Easy-to-Use MIG Welder

Buying an easy-to-use MIG welder would be best whether you are a beginner or a professional. You will find a variety of models in the market. The Lincoln Electric LE31MP is one of the best MIG welders available. A comfortable MIG welder will let you handle any welding project conveniently.

Step 06: Preparing the Welded Area

Ensure no flammable materials are available in the welded area. Also, you can set up a welding curtain if welding is done in an area where people are present. This welding curtain will keep them protected from harmful UV rays.

Step 07: Proper Wire Using

The first rule of proper welding is to choose the same type of wire according to the welded material. For instance, select a stainless steel wire if your welded material is stainless steel.

When welding steel, it would be best to choose between AWS ER70S-3 and AWS ER70S-6. The AWS ER70S-3 is multi-purpose steel and comes at an affordable price range. The AWS ER70S-6 is a premium-quality steel wire and is ideal for welding unclean and oxidized steel.

Step 08: Reel Preparing

Ensure the well-tightening of the reel. As a result, the reel will not unravel because of its tension. To avoid knots, keep the reel straight as much as possible. Then, take a wire cutter and use it for trimming the wire.

Step 09: The Wire Needs to Feed to the Torch

Now, the wire needs to be inserted into the wire tube and then feed the wire over the roller. Then, into the wire liner, insert it. The wire may not be aligned properly, so you must use force.

  • Remember, bad welds may happen if the wire is rusted or corroded. Before inserting, clean the wire using a dry cloth.
  • After inserting the wire into the liner, the welder needs to be turned on, and then the wire feed system needs to be used to go within the welder.

Step 10: Tension Adjusting

After feeding the wire:

  1. Adjust the tension.
  2. Don’t provide too much tension; this way, the mountings can bend, and the welder can get damaged.
  3. Adjust the tension as much less as possible.

Step 11: Welding Machine Polarity Setting

The polarity of the welding machine needs to be set to DCEP.

Step 12: Constant Electrode Length is Mandatory

You will get a clean welding result when you maintain your electrode stretched from the contact tube in the middle of ¼” – 3/8”.

Step 13: Correct Shielding Gas Need to Choose

Deeper penetration on steel will be confirmed when you choose CO2 as a shielding gas; this is also a budget-friendly option. Argon is a suitable shielding gas for aluminum. On the other hand, the mixture of 25% CO2 and 75% argon are best for thinner materials.

Step 14: Follow the Push or Drag Mechanism of Welding

Whatever mechanism you choose, the angle should stay within 10°. Ensure keeping the wire at the weld pool’s front edge. In this way, controlling the weld will be much more convenient.

Step 15: Flat Weld Making

You can place the metal straight onto the joint by using the welder. Large gaps can easily be filled when you use the back-and-forth method. The 90° angle holding of the gun will let you do flat joints.

Step 16: Horizontal Weld Making

To avoid the shaking of the gun, it is necessary to lower the gun’s angle slightly. Thus, you can make horizontal welding.

Step 17: Vertical Weld Making

When welding thin materials, start from the top and move slowly to the bottom. As a result, the arc will penetrate the material effectively. Start welding from the base when welding thick materials. Penetration will increase when you do so.

To fight gravity, you must set the amperage between 10% – 15%.

Step 18: Overhead Weld Making

It would be best to follow standard welding techniques when making overhead welding. At the same time, travel speed and gas flow rate need to increase.

Step 19: Finishing the Welding Project

After you finish the welding project, any excess filler needs grinding. Inspect the whole joint. If you find any defective area, grind it first and re-weld it.

The Basics of Welding with the Lincoln Electric Handy Mig

Final Words

With the above steps, I believe you have no questions about how to use Lincoln Electric Welder. Remember to wear a welding hood when undertaking any welding project. Also, welding material is challenging. So, do a little practice before starting the main project. Get familiar with the process for your convenience.

Moreover, the welded material will remain hot for some time after finishing the welding. So, avoid holding the material without gloves. Taking safety precautions is mandatory when working on a welding project.