Method and apparatus for GMAW welding

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Having thus defined the invention, the following is claimed: 1.
A method of welding along a pass line on a steel workpiece, said method comprising the steps of: (a) providing first and second consumable steel welding wires both connected to a single power source, each having a diameter equal to or less than about 5/64 inch hand each having an axially extending centerline; (b) simultaneously feeding said welding wires with said centerlines in generally parallel relationship toward said workpiece with the extended centerlines of said welding wires generally intersecting said workpiece at individual points spaced from each other a distance in the range about 3/16 to about 3/8 inch; (c) creating a separate arc between each of said wires and said workpiece; (d) passing a single protective envelope of shielding gas axially along said first and second welding wires simultaneously and around said two separate arcs extending between said consumable welding wires and said workpiece; and, (e) causing relative movement between said two gas shielded welding wires and said workpiece in a direction corresponding to said pass line on said workpiece.
2.
A method as defined in claim 1 wherein said welding wires are flux core wires having a diameter in the range of about 5/64 to 0.
035 inches and said points are spaced apart about 1/4-3/8 inch.
3.
A method as defined in claim 2 wherein said welding wire has a diameter of 1/16 inch and said points are spaced about 1/4-3/8 inch.
4.
A method as defined in claim 3 wherein said points are spaced about 3/8 inch.
5.
A method as defined in claim 2 wherein said welding wire has a diameter of 0.
052 inches and said points are spaced about 1/4-3/8 inch.
6.
A method as defined in claim 5 wherein said points are spaced about 3/8 inch.
7.
A method as defined in claim 2 wherein said points are spaced apart about 3/8 inch.
8.
A method as defined in claim 1 wherein said welding wires are solid steel welding wires with a diameter in the range about 0.
030-1/16 inches