Please critique my stick welds...

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I have messed around with arc welding a couple times, but today I had a chance ot try laying some beads.  I'm used to flux core mig welding, but overall I'm very much a beginner to welding in general.This was steel approx 3/8 in thickness.This was a flat surface, i won't show you the "vertical up" welds, they are tricky!  I found it very hard to keep the puddle from dripping.If anyone wants to post up and give me some advice on stick welding Im all ears
Reply:What rod?  Polarity?  Amps?DavidReal world weldin.  When I grow up I want to be a tig weldor.
Reply:Originally Posted by David RWhat rod?  Polarity?  Amps?David
Reply:Originally Posted by thefluxcorekidI was using 1/8" rod, at 120 amps.
Reply:6011 on a cloudy day, dropping barometer, with a NNW breeze at 12mphGloves possibly split cowhide, or doeskin"Any day above ground is a good day"http://www.farmersamm.com/
Reply:Good grief, Samm; he was serious. Something you and I don't understand.   There's 6010/11, 6013, 7014/18, etc. And for those of us in a Dream World, there's TIG.   9-11-2001......We Will Never ForgetRetired desk jockey. Hobby weldor with a little training. Craftsman O/A---Flat, Vert, Ovhd, Horz. Miller Syncrowave 250
Reply:Looks pretty good for 1/8" rod & 120 amps.  I'm thinking 1/8" angle iron?Looks better than my flux core I just did today.MarkI haven't always been a nurse........Craftsman 12"x36" LatheEnco G-30B MillHobart Handler 175Lincoln WeldandPower 225 AC/DC G-7 CV/CCAdd a Foot Pedal to a Harbor Freight Chicago Electric 165A DC TIG PapaLion's Gate Build
Reply:I always feel stupid when somebody asks for a criti-cue on their welds.  I ain't qualified to do any such thing.  Hell, I'm barely keepin' my head above water."Any day above ground is a good day"http://www.farmersamm.com/
Reply:i vote for 6011
Reply:Well, i would say E6013 is great for new/clean steel "Shop welding", whether its 3/32" (2,5mm) or 1/8"(3,25mm), in positions PA,PB,PC i haven't tryed the rest.and E7016/E7018 in size 3/32(2,5mm) is perfect for field/expeditionary welding. because it can be used with a small inverter welding machines and yet has a high yield.¤If you got money, i've got time
Reply:It was 7018 rods I was using, and the yeah, the steel was 1/8th thick.
Reply:i would suggest loweing the voltage to 110 i can tell from the spatter also dont stop and go like that (unless using E6010) just slow down and go at a steady pace
Reply:You are looking for a nice smoooth bead, not dimes or any of that stuff.  Just run a smooth steady bead and try again.  Amps are close, you could go up or down a few from there.David Real world weldin.  When I grow up I want to be a tig weldor.
Reply:You want to move smoothly and steadily to avoid voids and flux inclusions.  Try just running a straight stringer without any weave to get the speed and appearance right.  It can be simply on a flat plate.  After it cools, the flux may just peel right off and you should see a very shiny and uniform bead.  Let the plate cool and run another bead.  After you get that down pat, do a little weave and see how that work for you.  After you can run nice consistent beads, then try joining pieces together.
Reply:I would say you're too cold.  Try running at 130amps, or even higher.It also looks like you are manipulating your rod improperly.  Try just dragging the rod like Tim said and it should look a lot better in no time.
Reply:Good advice guys, thanks!  So basically a straight slow moving bead will good for starters, so I shouldnt' worry about weaving too much right away?
Reply:By the way fluxcorekid, do you weld much with fluxcore wire?i ask because i have a certificate with fluxcore wire in a MAG using wire according to AWS:SFA-5.18:E70 C-6M in position PF both butt joint and fillet weld. And i find it pretty tough ¤If you got money, i've got time
Reply:Originally Posted by thefluxcorekidGood advice guys, thanks!  So basically a straight slow moving bead will good for starters, so I shouldnt' worry about weaving too much right away?
Reply:what is MAG is "slang" for fcaw   (mig tig)
Reply:by the way im also horrible at vert up   but a trick that i like doing it an up-side down T weave where you go 1/4 inch up then 1/8 inch down and acrossi would try it especially with stick
Reply:Originally Posted by tmcglaughlinwhat is MAG is "slang" for fcaw   (mig tig)
Reply:It is not a common nickname in the U.S., which is under the sway of the American Welding Society. The A.W.S. has deemed the terms to be used by U.S. industry as either F.C.A.W. or G.M.A.W.  I have heard the term "mag" used by weldors in the E.U., though, and yet, I am still confused whether it is actually "flux cored arc welding" or "gas metal arc welding" (solid wire).Inert gas...http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inert_gasLast edited by tanglediver; 12-30-2008 at 11:49 PM.City of L.A. Structural; Manual & Semi-Automatic;"Surely there is a mine for silver, and a place where gold is refined. Iron is taken from the earth, and copper is smelted from ore."Job 28:1,2Lincoln, Miller, Victor & ISV BibleDanny
Reply:Originally Posted by tanglediverIt is not a common nickname in the U.S., which is under the sway of the American Welding Society. The A.W.S. has deemed the terms to be used by U.S. industry as either F.C.A.W. or G.M.A.W.  I have heard the term "mag" used by weldors in the E.U., though, and yet, I am still confused whether it is actually "flux cored arc welding" or "gas metal arc welding" (solid wire).Inert gas...http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inert_gas
Reply:Originally Posted by thefluxcorekidi won't show you the "vertical up" welds, they are tricky!  I found it very hard to keep the puddle from dripping.
Reply:Originally Posted by EngloidTHe key is to get a firm grip on what is slag and what is metal.  The slag will drip a lot, so you have to know that it's slag and not metal.