MIG and TIG Introduction

What you will learn

Safety in the welding industry

• Wearing full PPE: helmet, gloves, overalls
• Setting up welding screens to protect others nearby
• Identifying hazards like gas leaks or faulty cables
• Practising safe ventilation when welding stainless

Setting up welding equipment

• Installing a MIG wire spool and feeding it through the torch
• Setting gas flow rates (e.g., argon/CO₂ mix for MIG)
• Adjusting voltage and wire speed for different material thicknesses
• Setting up a TIG machine with tungsten electrode and pure argon gas

TIG welding techniques for low carbon steel, stainless steel and aluminium

• Running a neat “stack of dimes” bead on stainless steel plate
• Welding thin aluminium sheet without blowing holes in it (a rite of passage)
• Practising torch angle and filler rod control on mild steel joints
• Completing a small project like a stainless bracket or decorative piece

MIG welding techniques for low carbon steel and aluminium

• Welding a mild steel butt joint for a simple frame
• Running fillet welds on a T-joint (classic workshop task)
• Adjusting settings to weld thicker steel plate without lack of penetration
• Making a basic workshop item like a small tool stand or bracket

Learn to recognise and repair the most common welding faults

• Identifying porosity caused by poor gas coverage
• Fixing lack of fusion by adjusting heat settings
• Grinding out and re-welding cracked or weak joints
• Recognising undercut and correcting travel speed
• Inspecting welds visually for strength and consistency

Gain basic distortion techniques

• Using tack welds to hold components in place before full weld
• Welding in sequence to reduce heat build-up
• Clamping materials to prevent movement during welding
• Back-stepping technique to minimise distortion
• Allowing cooling time between weld runs

Manual thermal cutting

• Using an oxy-acetylene torch to cut mild steel plate
• Straight line cutting using a guide
• Piercing holes in steel using a cutting torch
• Cleaning and finishing cut edges with a grinder
• Setting correct flame type (neutral flame) for cutting

Entry requirements

Open entry.

Course-related costs

You'll need the following items for the workshop

• Overalls or dustcoat
• Steel-capped safety shoes or boots
• Safety glasses
• Welding helmet
• Gloves