First try ever at TIG welding, any comments appreciated

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So I finally got my Argon gas cylinder and decided to try TIG welding with the Syncrowave 200.I prepared the metal as per instructions given here in a previous post, I used a flap wheel and then cleaned with acetone (both the metal and filler rod).I tried just the torch on its own first to get a feel of the pedal, arc striking, travel speed, pulse feature, etc...   Here is a pic of the results.Then I tried my hand at running passes using filler rod.  Again I experimented with different amps, pulse rate, travel speed, etc...   Adding the filler rod, moving the torch, and working the foot pedal all together is quite an exercise in coordination.  I had a hard time making straight passes because I still have my wooden table, which wobbles a bit, and the ground clamp is in the way since I have to keep it on the work piece.   Here are pics of a few passes I just did.So, does it look like I'm headed in the right direction?  Any suggestions, criticism, opinions are welcome.Thanks in advance.
Reply:For a first timer?? Just more seat time and you'll be good to go..Practice..Slow down a bit..Make a dip..Move about 1/8"...Another dip..1/8".. repeat..You'll see..You'll get it soon enough..Then its time to weld something together.. ...zap!I am not completely insane..Some parts are missing Professional Driver on a closed course....Do not attempt.Just because I'm a  dumbass don't mean that you can be too.So DON'T try any of this **** l do at home.
Reply:Not bad at all. Keep practicing, and you will find the flow. Your speed looks like it could be a little more consistent, and you might want to hold a little longer at the start for the puddle to form, but I have seen work done by 'professionals' that is not as uniform as a couple of your beads I will suggest that, while learning, you set the current at the panel (forget the foot pedal for other than on-off) and forget the pulser. It will give you a lot less to worry about. You will also likely learn better heat and puddle control.I don't do as much welding as Zap (not my primary job), but I do a fair bit, mostly TIG when I can. I don't use a foot pedal or fingertip current control anywhere near as much as I would have though back when I started out. When I bought the portable 4 years ago, I didn't even get the foot pedal.... I made a footswitch and fiingerswitch and the fingertip amptrol rarely comes out.The pulser, on the other hand, gets a lot of use when it is allowed (a lot of what I do, it isn't permitted by the procedures)
Reply:Thanks for the great review!  I wasn't expecting that.  I just chopped the bar in two and tried welding the 2 pieces back together (butt joint if I'm not mistaken).  Here are the results (I banged it on the floor and it holds).I stopped before the end on the left because I still have to practice feeding the rod with my left hand and I was starting to burn through my glove because my fingers were too close to the arc!
Reply:Looks good, just work on consistency.  I showed a bead to my girlfriend.  She said "It looks like a caterpillar".    Looks like you got it right.  You got it, just burn up a lot more wire.   Your butt looks a little hot.  DavidReal world weldin.  When I grow up I want to be a tig weldor.
Reply:Originally Posted by David R   Your butt looks a little hot.  David
Reply:those are beautiful beads,hard to credit its your first time.
Reply:Originally Posted by zapsterFor a first timer??
Reply:Thanks to all for the great reviews!  Now I just need to practice a whole lot more.
Reply:Yes looking very good for a first time. Its all practice practice practice. And you are off to a good start. You might want to do yourself a favor and not weld on the wood. At least get some fire brick and weld on that until you get a steel table.mm135HTP Invertig 201 With water cooler9" Southbend LatheLots of hand tools.
Reply:Originally Posted by papasloanYes looking very good for a first time. Its all practice practice practice. And you are off to a good start. You might want to do yourself a favor and not weld on the wood. At least get some fire brick and weld on that until you get a steel table.
Reply:Originally Posted by x1riderThanks for the input, I'll try to get something more fire resistant until my table top comes in, putting out table fires is getting old already.
Reply:Originally Posted by David R  Your butt looks a little hot.  David
Reply:Originally Posted by smithboyI think David is mixing welding advice with a little innuendo...That girlfriend has him thinking about other things I betcha..
Reply:it did look a little hot, though, yes a little too much heat. Smithboy...if it ain't broke, you ain't tryin'.