looking for general advice/tips

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Novice home welder here!I'd like to post some pictures of some welds i have done and get some general advice on what i could do to improve.Generally, all of my welds turn out about the same, so whatever i'm doing wrong (or right), i am at least pretty consistant.Constructive criticism is welcome!#1, a weld on my snowplow frame.  Tying 3/8 strap to 3/8 angle.  Looks like i started going too fast but slowed back down.  This was welded fairly flat with 7014.  I'm guessing it was around 140amps, but i don't remember exactly.#2, another snowplow repair. Tying 3/8 strap to 1/8 square tube place by someone else as part of a previous repair.  Welded flat, Same rod and same amperage as before, just trying not to burn through the thin tube.#3, another weld tying that thin tube to a thicker angle.  I stopped the weld short to keep from blowing the corner of of the tube out.  i figgured a hole to let water drain wouldn't be the end of the world.#4, weldin the legs for my winch plate on my car trailer.  I actually found a crack in one of these last night, so i might have to figgure out why and fix on it.  This was a few years ago, but it an old bridge beam from 1929 and the legs are 3/8x6 strap.  again, 7014 rod welded flat.I'd be glad to know what i'm doing wrong and right, if someone can help.Last edited by Meborder; 12-11-2011 at 11:34 AM.Reason: relinked pictures.
Reply:I'm not seeing pictures.Millermatic 200Hobart Handler 120Victor O/A & Ramco BandsawLincoln 225 ACSnapOn AD HoodMiller XMT304/22AHypertherm Powermax 1650 G3Lincoln Idealarc DC600 w/Extreme 12 VSMiller Digital Elite "Joker"
Reply:hummm.....  they show up on mine.  odd.they are posted on another forum, maybe that's the problem?
Reply:I uploaded the pictures to this site and re-linked them .... hopefully that'll help?
Reply:the 1st two don't look all that bad for someone learning. In the first I can see where you sped up and then slowed back down easily. The 3rd looks weld look like it was run too cold. The last one has that gap at the end and the crater. I think I can see a crack at the top just above the crater.Learn to weld all the way out to the corners and around them. Corners are places cracks want to start. Add in the crater at the end like in the last pict, or that gap, and you can almost guarantee a crack will form.Size of the rod would help. 140 amps, I'd guess you were using 1/8" rod. For thinner tube, I'd run 3/32" 7014 at a lower amps ( I'd have to look up the suggested settings on the box). 1/8" 7014 is usually what I use for 1/4" and thicker stuff to fix the plow in a storm.7014 is a pretty easy rod to learn to run and run well. It's a drag rod, so if you just keep the flug in contact with the steel and move slowly, chances are you'll get decent results. When you get all your settings, speed and angle right, the slag will just curl up and fall off almost by itself. Get some steel and start running beads. You can simply get a 12" length of say 3"x3" 1/4" angle and tack to legs to it to form a V and start filling up the V with beads to start. It saves on material, and lets you get the basics down. Be sure to cool the metal down every 3 or 4 beads or the added heat will act like you cranked up the amps and give you issues.Good luck..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