Help me with my welds, please

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Good evening everyone.  I just gave my first attempt at welding this evening.  The machine is a brand new MM211.  I am using the .030 solid wire that came with themachine and C-25 gas.  These welds are on 3/16" x 1 1/4" flat bar from Lowe's.  I was using the AutoSet feature that came with the machine, so it was just set for .030 wire and 3/16" mild steel.  All actual joints are lap joints.  Never mind my goofing off on the flat surfaces. Any analysis on the last set would be greatly appreciated!  Any ribbing concerning the first two sets will, of course, be deserved! Pic #1:  The arc takes some getting used to.  I'm not gonna lie, I was pretty damn jumpy on this one.  Something about all of that electricity and heat just takes getting used to!  I actually beat this weld apart with a 3lb hammer in a few swings. Pic #2:  This is attempt number 2 (left side).  At this point, I was getting more comfortablewith things and actually bother to look for some resemblance of a weld pool, instead ofjust hoping nothing would catch fire.    I couldn't beat this one apart with my hammer,although I gave up after I couldn't budge it after about 10 good hits.Pic #3:  This was on the third piece of steel and this is what I would consider my best ofthe night.  At this point I finally calmed down and started to remember all of the basics Ihave been reading about.  I'm sure that I still neglected many of them, though.Here is part of that same string of welds, but a little further back:So, should I just hang it up and go back to building everything out of wood or is there hope for me yet?! Edit:  Got the text edited, but still couldn't see the edit button.  I had to use the address bar...Last edited by Brians_45; 02-17-2009 at 10:56 PM.
Reply:are you using enough shielding gas?
Reply:Slow down and use both hands. You must brace off until you can learn to compensate for your Barney Fife shake.  You are wobbly and look to be varying the stickout.  Its sorta ropy, so go up in heat.  The gas looks right. It looks like 70-s6 wire.  Tilt you gun toward the puddle instead of away from it. Gas is fine. I am assuming it is at least 75/25 mix?You'll get it.Esab Migmaster 250Lincoln SA 200Lincoln Ranger 8Smith Oxy Fuel setupEverlast PowerPlasma 80Everlast Power iMIG 160Everlast Power iMIG 205 Everlast Power iMIG 140EEverlast PowerARC 300Everlast PowerARC 140STEverlast PowerTIG 255EXT
Reply:whats your voltage and wire feed settings?
Reply:I was told by a life long welder that a pretty weld could be the weakest weld, and an ugly weld the strongest......if it serves it purpose, then it must be good......
Reply:Toy2,If a weld is sufficiently ugly, it won't hold.  A beautiful weld usually signifies understanding of the principles of welding.  Other factors enter the picture here, but essentially, a properly welded object is both beautiful and strong.Esab Migmaster 250Lincoln SA 200Lincoln Ranger 8Smith Oxy Fuel setupEverlast PowerPlasma 80Everlast Power iMIG 160Everlast Power iMIG 205 Everlast Power iMIG 140EEverlast PowerARC 300Everlast PowerARC 140STEverlast PowerTIG 255EXT
Reply:Look at picture 3.  See how you have ripples at the front end of the weld?  That shows that you are pointing the gun into the direction of travel...It is okay for certain welds, but for learning and the majority of the welding you will be doing where penetration is needed, a backhand approach is better suited because the puddle will develop behind the arc instead of in front of it, filling the weld area evenly.Esab Migmaster 250Lincoln SA 200Lincoln Ranger 8Smith Oxy Fuel setupEverlast PowerPlasma 80Everlast Power iMIG 160Everlast Power iMIG 205 Everlast Power iMIG 140EEverlast PowerARC 300Everlast PowerARC 140STEverlast PowerTIG 255EXT
Reply:Originally Posted by Nick Zare you using enough shielding gas?
Reply:Originally Posted by lugweldLook at picture 3.  See how you have ripples at the front end of the weld?  That shows that you are pointing the gun into the direction of travel...It is okay for certain welds, but for learning and the majority of the welding you will be doing where penetration is needed, a backhand approach is better suited because the puddle will develop behind the arc instead of in front of it, filling the weld area evenly.
Reply:Originally Posted by Brians_45Also, is the formatting all messed up for everyone else?  I can't see most of the text I posted and the edit button is eluding me.
Reply:I think it's a practice thing.  You'll get betterBUT NOT IF YOU KEEP BUYIN' METAL AT LOWES.  Find a steel supply, or a scrap yard.  It's too expensive to buy from the box stores.  You'll have more steel to practice on at a lower price.Duane...... I'm gettin' old and grouchy, or maybe just grouchy.  If it's over 600 pixels, and it ain't somethin' like a homebuilt space shuttle, I move on"Any day above ground is a good day"http://www.farmersamm.com/
Reply:Originally Posted by farmersammI think it's a practice thing.  You'll get betterBUT NOT IF YOU KEEP BUYIN' METAL AT LOWES.  Find a steel supply, or a scrap yard.  It's too expensive to buy from the box stores.  You'll have more steel to practice on at a lower price.Duane...... I'm gettin' old and grouchy, or maybe just grouchy.  If it's over 600 pixels, and it ain't somethin' like a homebuilt space shuttle, I move on
Reply:Your formatting looks ok to me. As far as the edit button, it disappears forever after 20 or 30 minutes (don't remember).When you're posting a reply, it will time out also; and loose everything you typed. The way around that, click on the 'Preview Post' button; it resets another timer (duration unknown to me, maybe 15 minutes, maybe the same as above).Samm, myself and untold numbers of others are on dial-up; hence the size sensitivity. However, larger than 800 wide will clip your text, regardless.9-11-2001......We Will Never ForgetRetired desk jockey. Hobby weldor with a little training. Craftsman O/A---Flat, Vert, Ovhd, Horz. Miller Syncrowave 250
Reply:Craig-- anything over 600 wipes me off the face of the map.  Same dial up issues.Brians-45--  Glad you found an alternate supply for your metal.  I wish I could give you really good advice on the welds.  I generally don't comment on people's welds, and I'm mostly stick instead of wire.  I own a wire welder, but it only comes out when I work with sheet metal, so I'm really not qualified to offer up advice.I think all welding boils down to knowing what you're seeing while you have the hood on.  It takes time and practice.  Analyze what you did to make the bad weld, and change your technique around next weld to overcome it.  It'll hit you like a ton of bricks one day.  WOW, THIS IS HOW IT'S DONE"Any day above ground is a good day"http://www.farmersamm.com/
Reply:Originally Posted by farmersammCraig-- anything over 600 wipes me off the face of the map.  Same dial up issues.
Reply:listen to LugWeld,,you're getting it,,and disregard any and all advice trying to justify ugly welds