Scintillating mig welding video...

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I am a relative noob at welding. probably have welded through 3 or 4 10 lb spools over two years. Anyway I have been practicing more earnestly lately and was hoping forum members would take a peak at this video I recorded showing some of my recent work. Anyway, during the last few months I have been doing some research on mig welding and have come across a couple of threads on various forums mentioning the use of a clamp meter on the mig work lead to use as a point of reference. So I thought I would try using one and recording the results of the reads as I welded. My thought was that, along with just looking at the weld results, if I watch the video of the amp reading it could also lend me some insight into how well I was keeping my stick out during the weld. Here are the results…feel free to flame on it, and, if up for it, give a few thoughts on the results, i.e. any welding defects you can recognize and any advice.  BTW the data on the welds are in the youtube comments. But I will repeat them here: Using a MillerMatic 252 I welded 1/4" to 1/2" mild steel in a tee joint, .035" metal cored wire, 26 volts, 500 WFS , 1/2" stick out  98% Argon 2% OxygenLast edited by cold rolled; 12-18-2013 at 09:28 PM.
Reply:Bead looks a bit heavy. Remember that when welding materials of different thicknesses together your weld is only as strong as the thinner member. So for 1/4" to 1/2", your legs on a fillet weld should match the 1/4" piece, so you want to be right about 1/4" on each leg, not closer to 1/2" like what I see there.I'd like to see a longer bead than just 2 or 3" to see how consistent you are. That hot though it's not all that hard to do nice beads on heavy plate..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:Originally Posted by DSWBead looks a bit heavy. Remember that when welding materials of different thicknesses together your weld is only as strong as the thinner member. So for 1/4" to 1/2", your legs on a fillet weld should match the 1/4" piece, so you want to be right about 1/4" on each leg, not closer to 1/2" like what I see there.I'd like to see a longer bead than just 2 or 3" to see how consistent you are. That hot though it's not all that hard to do nice beads on heavy plate.
Reply:Originally Posted by cold rolledThanks. That is EXACTLY the kind of commentary I was looking for. Appreciate it!
Reply:Originally Posted by camjeep3One thing  I have noted about this site, is  you will get some quality advice and criticism. If you are looking to make your welds better, the members here are willing to help.
Reply:Close up the machine and throw the meter back in the drawer.Ed Conleyhttp://www.screamingbroccoli.com/MM252MM211 (Sold)Passport Plus & Spool gunLincoln SP135 Plus- (Gone to a good home)Klutch 120v Plasma cutterSO 2020 benderBeer in the fridge
Reply:Something just looks wrong to me. Spray mode for sure. Penetration el stinko! Go smack that thing with a hammer bud. And even with that heavy weld I bet it snaps right off.I hate being bi-polar it's awsomeMy Heroes Have Always Been Cowboys
Reply:Originally Posted by Broccoli1Close up the machine and throw the meter back in the drawer.
Reply:Originally Posted by weldermikeSomething just looks wrong to me. Spray mode for sure. Penetration el stinko! Go smack that thing with a hammer bud. And even with that heavy weld I bet it snaps right off.
Reply:Are you welding on an ironing board?you sure know how to edit vids!I'd start with some thinner material, and trying to keep the weld section symmetrical. The hotter you weld, the more the metal will fall down.I wouldn't bet that it will snap off by just looking at that vid, we'd have to watch while you weld, where you point the wire relative to the weld pool. That's a "tell" right there.
Reply:33 seconds.Even this is basically half assed.http://www.esab.com/global/en/educat...SS-T-joint.jpgBubble gumTooth pixDuct tapeBlack glueGBMF hammerScrew gun --bad battery (see above)
Reply:Originally Posted by cold rolledFor clarity, can you point out how you determined poor penetration? Another words, what were the "tells"?
Reply:Originally Posted by cold rolled Mods to my Wrangler are what got me started welding.
Reply:Originally Posted by weldermikeLook at the second to last pic in the video. The fusion is very minimal. Smack it and see what happens. Not busting your chops, seriously bud!
Reply:Originally Posted by BrooklynBravestMe too! WranglerI think my first real project is gonna be a rear bumper. I can messUp 4 sheets of 3/16 plate before It costs me what buying a bumper would.
Reply:Originally Posted by cold rolledAgreed. Love your Cherokee BTW! Mods to my Wrangler are what got me started welding.
Reply:I agree the bead is a little over sized. The bead is also favoring the lower plate. It also looks like there is some undercutting along the toe of the weld on the vertical plate.  To cure both issues, try dropping your gun angle downward towards the lower plate.ESAB Migmaster 250 Hobart Ironman 230Multimatic 215TWECO Fabricator 181i & 211iHH125EZ - nice little fluxcore only unitMaxstar 150 STH - very nice
Reply:What is metal cored wire?Is the gas you are using stargas? If it is you are wasting your money still having that much spatter as many people are.I think you would be more better served going to a  co2 shielded flux core wire.I will bust your chops. A little too much time spent on putting a video together that should have been spent welding.