MIG welding, or Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW), is a type of welding method that uses a shielding gas to protect your wire electrode. It is the most popular form of welding used in automotive and industrial situations. The key to successful MIG welding is properly adjusted power settings.
Related: How To Find The Correct MIG Welder Settings For Any Project
Basic MIG Welds for Welding Beginners
- Stitch Weld ~ Stitch welding involves initiating a weld, welding for a portion of the joint length, terminating the weld, and then starting again along the joint a specified distance from the previous weld. This type of weld is used to prevent heat build up and distortion of sheet metal.
- Plug Weld ~ When joining metal pieces, a hole is drilled into the top piece and it is laid over the bottom one. A weld is then made by running a bead inside of the drilled hole, thereby holding the two pieces together. When doing auto body repair, this type of weld is often used when replacing body panels.
- Normal Weld
Stitch Weld 
Plug Weld 
Normal Weld
Basic MIG Weld Explanation and Demonstration
In this video, Joe from the Eastwood Company goes over the three basic MIG welds — stitch weld, plug weld, and normal weld — that you should know when working on a project vehicle…
