OK guys, open for evaluation/criticism/suggestions, anything!!!

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So I received my Miller Syncrowave 200 yesterday, went to the gas depot and I can't get argon for 2 weeks!!! (I live in a very small town and they don't hold it in stock).I thought I would try the stick to start with.  I grabbed the first "broken" thing I could find, an old furnace door, it seems to be made of cast.  Please keep in mind that it's the first time I weld ever.  This is the piece after cleaning up with a grinder.This is after a few "passes/tries" with the stick.I kept the amps at about 95 (I tried a bit higher and lower to experiment).  Obviously, I didn't do such a good job, the crack is still there, it just has a bunch of molten metal around it, and I burnt a small hole through the door at one spot.Any thoughts on the mangling of my furnace door?  Should I try another kind of metal to practice on?  (I just picked up the first thing I had close by)Thanks a lot in advance for any advice!!!
Reply:1.     Congratulations on the new Syncrowave your gonna love it.2.     You couldn't pick anything much harder to practice on than Cast Iron.3.     You need to clean it down to shiney metal with a grinder.4.     What type of rod did you try to use?WashmanLast edited by Washman; 09-15-2007 at 11:09 AM.
Reply:Originally Posted by Washman1.     Congratulations on the new Syncrowave your gonna love it.2.     You couldn't pick anything much harder to practice on than Cast Iron.3.     You need to clean it down to shiney metal with a grinder.4.     What type of rod did you try to use?Washman
Reply:thanks for the reply!Glad to know that cast iron is hard to weld, at least it can only get better!I'll make sure I clean the metal better next time.The rod I used (what the salesman recommended since I know nothing about welding) is 7018.
Reply:You did say "furnace" door, and if it is a fairly old furnace door it is probably white cast or as called by the old timers "stove cast". This stuff isn't really weldable in a practical sense.
Reply:7018 can be used with cast iron but with limited success..See if you can get some cast rods and play with them.....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:Originally Posted by SandyYou did say "furnace" door, and if it is a fairly old furnace door it is probably white cast or as called by the old timers "stove cast". This stuff isn't really weldable in a practical sense.
Reply:Get some mild steel and practice with that.  Cast iron can give the ones of us with years of experience trouble.  Always start simple and work up.  Practice is the key.I'm a Lover, Fighter, Wild horse Rider, and a pretty good welding man......
Reply:Originally Posted by Hammack_WeldingGet some mild steel and practice with that.  Cast iron can give the ones of us with years of experience trouble.  Always start simple and work up.  Practice is the key.
Reply:Highjack thread warning.... Sandy, you said, "and if it is a fairly old furnace door it is probably white cast or as called by the old timers "stove cast".I always thought cast was "ruined" after stove or hot use, so I am now, from what you said, enlightened. Is it a better cast to deal with the heat, or just a junky, throw it all in there, who cares about the metallurgy type of thing? Please feed me more info... Thanks!Just my  opinion, not from a book, just from the road.Howes Welding Inc.www.howesweldinginc.com
Reply:Cast is a b*tch.  Get some mild steel.  Stick with the 7018 or get some 6013. YOU will be better and your welds will look better.DavidEnjoy the new machine.Real world weldin.  When I grow up I want to be a tig weldor.
Reply:Originally Posted by David RCast is a b*tch.  Get some mild steel.  Stick with the 7018 or get some 6013. YOU will be better and your welds will look better.DavidEnjoy the new machine.
Reply:Originally Posted by tessdadHighjack thread warning.... Sandy, you said, "and if it is a fairly old furnace door it is probably white cast or as called by the old timers "stove cast".I always thought cast was "ruined" after stove or hot use, so I am now, from what you said, enlightened. Is it a better cast to deal with the heat, or just a junky, throw it all in there, who cares about the metallurgy type of thing? Please feed me more info... Thanks!