First patented in the USA back in 1949, MIG or metal inert gas welding is primarily used to weld aluminium. But since its invention, MIG welding has also been used for carbon steel by combining different shielding gasses. Also known as GMAW or gas metal arc welding, MIG welding is a process where two metal pieces are joined by heating them with the use of an arc. But in order for MIG welding to work it needs reverse polarity or better known as a DCEP (direct current positive electrode). But as a welder what you need apart from a DCEP is MIG welding equipment as well as MIG supplies.
Essential MIG Welding Parts
Anti Spatter Spray
While not everyone tells you this at first, MIG welders can create a lot of spatter. Meaning they can make your workspace and equipment look like a total mess. To prevent this you should use MIG welding parts such as an anti-spatter spray or gel. These colourless solutions help prevent spatter from sticking to workpieces and other MIG welding equipment. They are also easy to remove if you want to paint your workpiece after welding it.
Filler
Filler material is one of the most important MIG supplies. Without filler, you wouldn't be able to join metal parts together. The filler material is what gets melted and acts much like glue. Once the heat starts to dissipate the material starts to harden. These MIG welding parts are often made of stainless steel, carbon and aluminium and are fed through by the welding gun. Each filler material is best applicable to a different type of metal.
Helmet
One of the most recognisable welding parts are helmets. A welding helmet no matter what welding process it's used for can be quite rudimentary or advanced. While some require you to lift and lower their visors, other types of welding helmets darken the visor thanks to sensors and filters. Although more expensive, auto-darkening helmets are slowly becoming the norm.
Gloves
Something that every welding process requires especially MIG since it creates so much spatter, is a pair of gloves. Welding gloves extend beyond your wrist and cover part of your forearm. Welding gloves are also quite thick and they allow you to handle hot workpieces for a couple of seconds with no burns.
Magnets
You might be thinking – what do magnets have to do with welding? Well, welding magnets are quite common and they are made to help hold down workpieces that would otherwise move when you work on them. Welding magnets can be found in different sizes in order to accommodate larger workpieces. They are also helpful when you need to make a 90° angle in any of your projects.
Clamps
There are two types of clamps you'll want to have, welding and C-clamps. They're both the same thing it's just that you'll want to have about 10 clamps of each. This will give you more versatility even as a beginner welder.
Gasses
Another important set of MIG consumables are shielding gasses. These gasses help protect the electrode. There are two types of shielding gasses Argon and CO2. Many experienced welders would tell you to go for a combination of both. CO2 is great when penetrating through thick metals and Argon gas is able to prevent spatter.
Safety Glasses
All those sparks flying around can easily reach your eyes and I'm not talking about the ones generated by the welding gun. I'm talking about when you're using angle grinders. Instead of having the helmet on, safety glasses are going to be a better option since they don't darken your view and because they're also lighter.
Angle Grinder
Just like you need a welding gun to join metal pieces together, you need an angle grinder to make your projects look better. All those finishing touches regarding the surface of the weld are best done with an angle grinder. Angle grinders are also quite versatile since you can use different pads with them and not stress your hands as much as with sandpaper.
Chipping Hammer
In case you're going to use a flux core wire for your welding you'll want to have a chipping hammer too. This is because a flux core wire creates a coat of slag over the whole weld and a hammer is needed to chip away at it.
File
A metal file is used in the same stage of your welding project as an angle grinder. Metal files are a better option when there are smaller metal burrs you need to take care of.
Soapstone
Nothing is done by eye with MIG welding and thus one of the most important MIG supplies when it comes to ensuring straight lines and the right proportions is soapstone. Soapstone is used to mark stuff on the metal piece itself and because of its composition, it's able to stay there even under high temperatures.
