First day welding ever question(s)

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So I got my machine set up today and went to town with the flux-cored wire it came with.  I made a small "sculpture" out of some square tubing.  I'm wondering if its bad to try and weld over gaps.  I didn't grind the tubing too carefully so there were some pretty large gaps that I had to cover with welds.  Should I try to grind it to a better fit or is welding over a 1/8 or a little larger gap alright?  I'll post some pics if people are at all interested.
Reply:While it's possible to fill gaps, good fit up is critical if you want things to go well. In some cases a gap will help you get better welds, but it's important that the gap be consistant. Usually this applies when working with thicker materials rather than thinner stuff.Oh and we all love picts. so go ahead and post them up even if the welds look ugly. We'll be happy to rip you apart (opps I mean critique your welds ) Thats how you learn..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:don't forget to tell us about your machine type and settings and such. all the good stuff to help us do what DSW said lol.225NT bobcatAEAD200LEScott 125mm175, mm252 w 30A, PT225mm211, TA 181iHyper Therm 380, cut master 529100X & XX, Digital Elite6 Victor setssmith little torch, meco midget kalamazoo band sawsteel max saw evoulution circular saw
Reply:this is one of my more successful welds of the day.. I am using my friend's father's ancient hood which is nearly impossible to see out of so I was having trouble staying on the right path.  I could definitely tell that I improved throughout the day though.  I stopped leaving gaps and such by the end of the day.This picture is actually of one of the spots I was questioning about though.  The weld directly below my ear was covering a large gap.  I ground off the weld below that one and it seemed pretty solid.Uploaded with ImageShack.usEdit:  I have a hobart handler 140 and was on setting 1 for voltage and about 30 for wire speed.
Reply:I'm a newb too. But alittle more time under my belt.My local welding supplier told me to go take a course. I'm not about to do that over a hobby.I did seach welding courses on YouTube and found tons of good stuff that helped me allot.As far as welding a gap. It sucks as far as I'm concerned. I have played around and welded as much as a half inch gap. I just weld and stop for a split second till the puddle cools just enough that it makes new welding surface to pile more filler on.Buts its extra work that can be avoided if you just cut and grind your work to fit closer. Seams all the experts pictures I see on these forums. Grind or cut parts to be welded with a V groove. So that they fill in the valley with the weld.I have started to cut and grind my metal with valleys more. And it helps a ton.The things I think you need to learn about as a newb. Is understanding welding is about heat control. I even started pre heating with a butane torch. And that helps some.Then the very next thing is understanding how welding will warp metal. I'm still having issues with warpage and not totaly understanding whats going on. But I'm getting there.I find welding addictive. But I do NOT care for the grinding.You should mess with your USER-CP on these forums so you can list your welder in your sig. Like everyone else.Good Luck.Last edited by FunnyDream; 06-06-2011 at 02:57 AM.ThermalArc 161STL TIG/Stick (160amp)Lincoln weld-pak 100 (fluxcore)4X6 Enco bandsaw10" skillsaw with metal blade for 45degrees (works)4" grinderWeld for fun. Very rare I do it for Money.
Reply:Originally Posted by Lawnfairy243this is one of my more successful welds of the day.. I am using my friend's father's ancient hood which is nearly impossible to see out of.
Reply:http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000M64RMEis on its way.  I can see the bead on the hood i'm using but I have trouble seeing where exactly the gap in the pieces of metal that I'm welding together is.
Reply:Welcome to the group.  I strongly recommend a welding course.  In addition to turbocharging your learning curve, you will get to meet others with simular intrests.  Nothing quite like gathering together with like minded learners.I offer three choices: Good, Fast, & Cheap. You may pick two.Hobart AC/DC StikMate LXHarbor Freight AD HoodHarbor Freight Industrial Chop SawDeVilbis 20 Gallon, 5 HP Compressor
Reply:I work at a radiator factory (the kind that heat your house) and my dad is my boss.  He worked a deal with his boss that I would paint all of the walls in the paint line and he would give me some hours of help welding with one of the welders.  I should be done with painting this week, so next week should be lessons.
Reply:Start out with a different hood or at least get a #9-10 lens for yours, shouldnt cost more than a few bucks. You need to be able to see, the better you can see what your doing the better you'll be able to figure out what your doing wrong and fix it. As far as gaps go, on cosmetic stuff its not such a problem but on anything structural you want to avoid having to fill gaps and fitup and penetration will be much more important. The best thing you can do is get a lot of practice welding scrap and make sure you take the time to learn how to improve your welds with each lesson.
Reply:I have read and agree with the statement that an auto darkening hood will allow you to do better welds faster.  Auto Darkening or Automatic Hoods come in a wide range of prices.  My personal hood is one of the cheapest and it works to my satisfaction.I offer three choices: Good, Fast, & Cheap. You may pick two.Hobart AC/DC StikMate LXHarbor Freight AD HoodHarbor Freight Industrial Chop SawDeVilbis 20 Gallon, 5 HP Compressor
Reply:Find a piece of angle. Run stringers and stack beads until it's full.You will have it in no time. Mig is the easiest process, have fun.Semper FiJesus may have been a Carpenter, but his dad was a Millwright" A grinder and a can of paint, will make a welder what he aint' "I've done so much, with so little, for so long, that now I can do anything with nothing!
Reply:Have to see before you can weld.....A young green pipe welder asked an old salt one day...How can I make the weld on the bottom of the pipe look like the top.......The old salt replied....Screw up the top......