My very first welds, can you please give some feedback.

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This is my first attempt at welding, I have never done it before, so go easy. This was on 1/8 steel and 1/8 aluminum.  I did a few practice beads on flat plate and then tried to weld some scrap together.  Can you guys please give me some pointers?This is tig, about 105 amp on the steel and 160-185 on the aluminum. Attached Images
Reply:Skip alum for now. You need a lot more control than you have at this point.With steel, I'd suggest starting out by working on running basic puddles with no filler to get an understanding of how the pedal controls the puddle. Try and maintain the same travel speed and arc length thru the whole "bead" to keep things simple. Then start adding filler and run some practice beads and post them up. Once you can run some decent beads, then try and run a set amperage, and work with seeing what changing your travel speed or arc length does.You have a lot more variables that you can control with tig. That makes it much more complicated than any other process. You need to learn to read the puddle, and manipulate it with those variables to get the results you want. Until then you are just randomly making changes for no rhyme or reason, and it's almost impossible to move forward.Once you can run some consistent beads, then you can start on joints. Most students at the tech school need at least 4-20 hours learning the basics and running plain beads, before they can manage to get consistent enough to be ready to start on basic lap joints.With alum, you have to do everything faster, and when things start to get out of control, you need to speed up, not slow down. That means you have to make these changes without even thinking about them. You are quite a ways from there..No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth! Ronald Reagan
Reply:For it being your first time, that top pic looks GREAT considering. You're off to a good start, just get back out there and have some fun. Welcome [Account Abandoned 8/8/16 Please Do Not Attempt Contact Or Expect A Reply]. See you on YouTube! -ChuckE2009
Reply:Practice in not a few bead esp for tig.  Its thousands of beads hundreds of hours.  Several bottles of argon etc.    Biggest mistake most new welders make is thinking a few minutes or hours of practice will be enough.   All that will do is make you dangerous...  most vocational classes involve 4 hrs labe time per class per weekTiger Sales:  AHP Distributor    www.tigersalesco.comAHP200x; AHP 160ST; MM350P,  Spoolmatic 30A; Everlast PowerTig 185; Thermal Dynamics 60i plasma.  For Sale:  Cobra Mig 250 w/ Push-pull gun.  Lincoln Wirematic 250
Reply:Originally Posted by LanseFor it being your first time, that top pic looks GREAT considering. You're off to a good start, just get back out there and have some fun. Welcome
Reply:Congratulations!You defied conventional logic and learned yourself alum. Alum is an in-your-face process and leaves a bigger impression on the dynamics of welding. Most people can do it right off with the right supervision. I think you figured it out.Now get on with your 1000 hours of practice!Weld like a "WELDOR", not a wel-"DERR" MillerDynasty700DX,Dynasty350DX4ea,Dynasty200DX,Li  ncolnSW200-2ea.,MillerMatic350P,MillerMatic200w/spoolgun,MKCobraMig260,Lincoln SP-170T,PlasmaCam/Hypertherm1250,HFProTig2ea,MigMax1ea.
Reply:Thanks for the feedback guys.  I know I need a lot of practice.  Right now I need to work on moving my whole arm, not just my wrist.  Just so we are clear the pictures I posted were for practice too, I do not assume that I am ready to weld up anything structural.  I ended up blowing through an 80cu bottle in a few days, that stuff goes quick.  Too bad I can't get it filled on a weekend, need to leave work early to get more gas.  I really like practicing this, it's fun.
Reply:One important thing is to keep your torch hand steady, any movement you make with the torch hand will show up in the weld bead. So brace your arm on the table, its imperative for u to find a good stable position. I like to move my arm through the motions as if im welding to see if the position will work or not. And learn slide your arm across the table, you'll have trouble if u just try to pivot on your elbow or wrist. And practice practice pactice practice practice practice. It'll start to come  natural after awhile.  That ain't too bad for the first time ever, you're off to a pretty good start. http://www.philswelding.com
Reply:Originally Posted by MetalMan23One important thing is to keep your torch hand steady, any movement you make with the torch hand will show up in the weld bead. So brace your arm on the table, its imperative for u to find a good stable position. I like to move my arm through the motions as if im welding to see if the position will work or not. And learn slide your arm across the table, you'll have trouble if u just try to pivot on your elbow or wrist. And practice practice pactice practice practice practice. It'll start to come  natural after awhile.  That ain't too bad for the first time ever, you're off to a pretty good start.
Reply:It happens if you're not careful, especially with high frequency.  But make sure to establish the arc on the work first before you bring the filler rod close. If the filler rod is too close you'll arc off to it instead of the work, and get zapped. But you'll never get good results trying to TIG weld free hand.  To get good results, you need to be real steady, and have a solid rest.Like DSW said there's a lot of variables involved with TIG welding, arc length, torch angle, tungsten and filler rod size, amps, feathering the foot pedal. But just keep practicing soon you'll get a good idea of what settings you should b using for what thickness and material, etc...One of the most important things is consistency, be consistent in arc length, travel speed,  and deposition of filler rod, consistency is key. http://www.philswelding.com