First time welding, need pointers

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Hi guys, greetings from Colorado, I was greatly advised to take a few pics of my first welds and then let It rip from the pros so here I go, this are my first welds ever, so don't be shy I will take all the advise with respect, and practice what ever you recommend thanks for the help in advanced, not an excused but I was really nervous like I was in school and did not do the homework, plus was raining a little so I had to hurry up thanks again. to be honest I did not remember what is what some I did at 84 v and the rest at 92 v with a maxstar 200 sd  and 6013 1/8  rods and I have no idea where should the machine works or settings I  supposed to use maybe I am over my head but anyway some help will be appreciated  thanks....Joe
Reply:Based on what I see of some manufactured products, you're going to have to learn to weld a lot worse than that to get a factory job.  "USMCPOP" First-born son: KIA  Iraq 1/26/05Syncrowave 250 w/ Coolmate 3Dialarc 250, Idealarc 250SP-175 +Firepower TIG 160S (gave the TA 161 STL to the son)Lincwelder AC180C (1952)Victor & Smith O/A torchesMiller spot welder
Reply:Better than my first welds.I see some fast and some that appear to be the right speed but the toes aren't wetting in so those may be cold or you may not be spending enough time on the sides.How thick is the steel you are welding on?GravelThe difference between theory and practice is that in theory there is no difference.
Reply:well thanks, oldendum ,, I think,, and thanks gravel, the piece of steel I did is 3/16 its the only piece I had because I cut it out of my trailer so I had nothing else to weld but I intend to get some good pieces and diferent thickness and practice practice practice  honestly I was shaking so much I could not stop uff. now what do you mean whit "toes" and wetting,  sorry I have no welding  lingo at all.
Reply:Ah. Ok. 1/4" would be better to practice 1/8" rods on. If you have some 3/32" rods they would be better on that 3/16" steel.Toes is where the sides of the weld meets the plate you are welding. See how there is a defined edge between the two? You should see it flow in more smoothly.Keep at it, you have a really good start!GravelThe difference between theory and practice is that in theory there is no difference.
Reply:Stick is set up in amps not volts. 1/8" 6013 is usually up around 125 amps off the top of my head. Different manufacturers recommend different settings, so not knowing what your suggested settings should be, it's hard to say exactly. Usually it's marked on the box of rods. I'd recommend going middle of the suggested range..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:thanks gravel taking notes, and I will get some more rods like you say some 3/32 and 1/4 steel maybe more 3/16 since I have rods, and pay attention to the toe at practice ,.DSW thanks man, that tells me how really amateur I am not even knowing those simple facts amps not volts and rods boxes have the info I jus went and got those from a welding place but the guy in charge was not there anyway thanks again and I will try to inform me better on what I am doing.. Joe
Reply:Lincoln has all the information on suggested settings for their rods on line as well. Though it can be a bit tough to dig out that information..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:Fins an owner's manual on Miller's site. Most of them have some decent illustrations and verbage that is helpful for a beginner. I know my Thunderbolt manual had that in it.GravelThe difference between theory and practice is that in theory there is no difference.
Reply:Remember Miller has an app for that https://play.google.com/store/apps/d...settings&hl=en
Reply:You're starting out good, Joe. Just run beads at different amp settings and practice 'til you find the sweet spot. take some of your welds and show them to John and see if he will give you some pointers.                                       MikeOl' Stonebreaker  "Experience is the name everyone gives to their mistakes"Hobart G-213 portableMiller 175 migMiller thunderbolt ac/dc stick Victor O/A setupMakita chop saw
Reply:I was thinking more along the lines of the pictures that show rod angle for different types of welds and also show different techniques.GravelThe difference between theory and practice is that in theory there is no difference.
Reply:thanks  guys for the info, the manual makes total sense, I like the app idea thanks for the link newbury, mla2ofus yes I would take this piece to john he would  definite have pointers and tell me what's wrong or right, plus I can visit him, shame he does not have his shop anymore, thanks again I am totally learning.   Joe
Reply:found a lot of great staff and pics and instructions on the manual, should've started there its quite a lot of info installed the app like it, .. Joe
Reply:Good deal!GravelThe difference between theory and practice is that in theory there is no difference.
Reply:Just keep running beads over and over, thats how most (if not all) of us learned. stay away from a lot of the "how to weld" videos, with the exception of weldingtipsandtricks and ChuckE2009. I'm not sure what 1/8" 6013 wants for heat, I know I usually run 1/8" 7018 flat at 101-110 amps depending on the material. If you have someone local to you that is a good weldor and is willing to teach you, take the opportunity. Or find a votech school near you that offers a welding program
Reply:Take some of whatever beverage John likes and he will probably teach you quite a lot. You probably have an excellent teacher right in your town if he's willing to do it.                                                      MikeOl' Stonebreaker  "Experience is the name everyone gives to their mistakes"Hobart G-213 portableMiller 175 migMiller thunderbolt ac/dc stick Victor O/A setupMakita chop saw
Reply:mla2ofus, that sounds like a great idea and you know I use that opportunity every time I got with my friends, I brink drinks usually with some alcohol content, but shi t  john don't drink, he try's to take me to church with him on Sundays maybe that what its going to happen for a while hehehhe maybe  after church he teach me, and who knows I maybe find Jesus too, hehehe  sorry I had to do it.
Reply:You said that you were welding with a maxstar 200 sd thats a nice small machineLast edited by gxbxc; 09-23-2014 at 07:47 PM.
Reply:Originally Posted by soldador2mla2ofus, that sounds like a great idea and you know I use that opportunity every time I got with my friends, I brink drinks usually with some alcohol content, but shi t  john don't drink, he try's to take me to church with him on Sundays maybe that what its going to happen for a while hehehhe maybe  after church he teach me, and who knows I maybe find Jesus too, hehehe  sorry I had to do it.
Reply:gxbxc, yes that's the machine and the best thing about it is I only pay 500 dlls  al I have to do was get the leads for stick welding. it does tig too but I don't think I am ready for any of that for a while I heard its a lot more complicated and there's a lot to learn before ill try it  goes from 110 power to 440 I used only 220 so far. but yeah I think I got lucky.