Welding Progress

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Hi guys,  I'm still waiting for my control pedal but had time to do some stick welding.  Armed with a few ideas(most specially from Mr. jolly),  i burned some rods today.  I turned amps down and was able to practice and lay awesome beads.  This motivated me to do butt joint and Tweld.  Here's my progress... ***Thanks Mr. Jolly,  turning amps down made a whole lot difference.  My joint welds amazed me**I turned amps down to 75 and immediately had better beads.   6013 3/32" on 1/8"plate. Next 2 pics are butt weld front and back.  I used 6013 1/16" on 1/8" plate.  My question is does back penetration look okay?? It looks like slags were trapped on the backend.  On standard weld, do you just weld the back as well??Since butt weld looked okay to me,  I challenged myself to do the TWeld.  First attempt was AWFUL!   It didn't joined both parts (1/16" 6013 rod on 1/8" plates at 45 amps).  I decided to upgrade to 3/36" 6013 at close to 85 amps).  Right away, I saw the difference.  I can't believe how great looking the weld was... to make sure I didn't just got lucky,  I laid another 2 inch bead after that and bumped amps to 90.   I'm so pleased how it turned out. Thanks for all your guidance.  I'll keep practicing and start breaking my welds for testing.   ........can't wait to get back on my TIG practice._______Miller Maxstar 150 STLLincoln ProMig 140Hobart Handler 210
Reply:The problem with your first t joint is common with 6013 and 7014 as the slag covers to puddle and you think you have a wide bead going when in reality you have two narrow beads...they do have there place (thinner material) get some 6011 and 7018......these two rods will likely cover most of your needs.... don't get bend around the axle about drying the 7018 if not for code / structural work....yes they do run nicer hot and dry, but will be just fine for messing around and building small projects....Mike
Reply:Yer gettin it fast!Getting the heat right is #1.David Real world weldin.  When I grow up I want to be a tig weldor.
Reply:thanks David!  I'm really trying to learn this new hobby of mine.  So far I'm happy with the support and feedback I get from you all.  No better way to learn than through experimenting and trying other welder's ideas.   I'm truly grateful to have found this site.Re: heat,  I just realized that.  from now on,  if I start having trouble with my beads and penetration (like my initial T-weld),  I need to make sure I'm dialed in to the right amp for the material... , then I can look at angle, travel speed, etc.Thanks again!_______Miller Maxstar 150 STLLincoln ProMig 140Hobart Handler 210
Reply:You are on the right track, keep up the practice.  JohnSMAW,GMAW,FCAW,GTAW,SAW,PAC/PAW/OFCand Shielding Gases.  There all here. :