A Farmer’s Guide to Welding: Essential Information for Agricultural Repairs

By: Dave Mowitz & Karen Jones

Having the right kind of welder in your farm shop can save time and money on repairs and fabrication. The tried-and-true stick welder, while still useful, has paved the way for MIG welders and even TIG welders. All three have their place, as you’ll read in this article, and general techniques and safety precautions are important for any type of welding.

1. Properly Clean and Prepare Welding Surface

The number one failure of a MIG weld is porosity, and the most common cause of porosity is welding a dirty, oily, or painted surface. Contaminants become trapped in the weld, resulting in sponge-like holes. Other causes include inadequate shielding gas coverage or improper wire stickout.