Mig welding cast

[darrenjlobb]

mig is useless, you need arc or gas rods.

Fairly pointless comment. And obviously havent done much of it yourself if that is your view?

In the text book maybe, but for most people, if you have a half decent welder, you will get away with it just fine. I would personally pick the stick welder up for most cast jobs, as yes, it does do a better job, but you can certainly get away with getting a decent, long lasting weld with a MIG if you take the time to do it properly. As already said, works best if you heat it up, and let it cool slowly, I find it more effective to have a fair weld fillet gap, rather than butting up directly, gives it some slight space to move / contract and will prevent it cracking. There is a bit of a nack to it, but will work just fine.

Also worth pointing out that some of the hash ups I have removed from cars over the years (dirty cast turbo to manifold welding, which looks like its been done with a 2watt sealey welder with 0 penetration), have all still been solid, and not failed, and can bet none of these were heated up etc! Obviously this is not good practice, but what im saying is, if they survive, then chances are if you take the time to do the job half correctly, you will be just fine. Don't believe all the stuff you read on the internet