Please critique!

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Just some practice. Let me know what I did right (if anything) and what I did wrong. Thanks in advance! Attached Images
Reply:Mig, tig, stick...? Settings, material thickness, filler size...? Inquiring minds want to know...FYI if you tack the backs of the plates at the same time you tack the front, you can keep the back from opening up and you can do laps on both sides.The closeup in pict 4 tells me you are way too high on the upper plate for a lap weld. You should usually just burn off the edge of the upper plate. Beads also look very large for what appears to be 1/8" material. If I knew the process and filler size it would help to make suggestions. Edge shots do show you got the beads to lay down nice. Ripples tell me you need to work a bit on your consistency..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:Not horrible. What rod, amps, polarity, rod manipulation, etc. were you using? Work on consistency and on a lap joint, focus more on the bottom piece.
Reply:Ha, i knew i was forgetting something. Process: StickMachine: Hobart stickmate ac/dc 235Rod: Lincoln Excalibur 5/32" Amps: Varied from 90-115ish depending on which weldMaterial: 1/8"I know the rod is too large for the material, but those where then only two (rod and material) laying around for now. So should I have a steeper rod angle and burn thru the top materials edge to get a more focused arc on the bottom piece of material?
Reply:Not too bad considering that you are running rods bigger than the material and the amps are slightly below what I'd probably say the lower end of that size rod would be. It takes some skill to weld thin material with larger rods. I know quite a few who would have issues running those beads with 1/8" rods, and most would probably want to run 3/32" rods on 1/8" plate.You'd be better off shifting your aim more to the lower plate and just washing the puddle up against the upper one vs running right down the edge where the two meet. That said with the size rod you are using having more bead on the lower plate may give you issues with burn thru..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:I always put two heavy tacs on the sides of my laps so I can weld both sides and don't have to run over tac welds. Give 1/4 inch plate a shot with 1/8 rods. It's a lot easier.The only thing I can pick apart is it looks like you were a little shaky and inconsistent.  No worries that stuff comes in time.all in all not bad.
Reply:Please allow me to introduce my workspace.....Unfortunately I live in an apartment at the moment and the only place I can weld is at the shop at work.. I can't weld a workbench up because they do not want it taking up space and not to mention even if they did, I would have no way of moving it when it came time to move. I was thinking of just making some sawhorses and putting a small 4' x 4' piece of 1/4" on it so I can at least have something to use that will allow me to stand, and no more than I weld or plan to right now, it would suffice.I usually am squatted down on one knee and kind of resting my elbow with the stinger on my knee, which explains the shakiness....or the 3 cups of coffee and multiple redbulls a day. And not to mention tacking something while wearing this beast of a helmet is quite a challenge. Especially since the work material is almost impossible to clamp to the concrete   Basically the ground clamp is what holds it together. But I figured if I can get decent at welding in a crappy situation, then when I do treat myself to a table and clamps and all the associated toys, I should be pretty good when doing things the right way.I am very impressed with this forum and how helpful everyone is. Living in the middle of nowhere with no one around to actually point out my flaws while I am doing them really sucks. But at least with your guy's input, I at least have a sense of direction as what to do the next time around!!
Reply:If you got 250 bucks, pick one of these up.  http://store.cyberweld.com/miar30weta30.htmlAs suggested before, I would tack the sides, and get either thicker material to weld on, or smaller rods. 5/32 rods are a little big for what you are welding on..  Grab some 3/32 run about 90-100 amps, and have it.. Get some 6010 rods too..
Reply:Nothing wrong with sawhorses and a plate for a top. Lots of times I work off the same thing. I've got some old steel workbench legs I use as metal saw horses and a small chunk of 3/8" plate for a work top for small quick projects. Note plastic saw horses aren't the best idea for working with hot metal. Get yourself a steel set if at all possible.Seeing what you are working with and the awkward position you did those in, I'm even more impressed. You are doing very well.I'll make 2 general comments. Number one I'd be very careful about welding in that garage. I can see sparks and spatter getting under those shelves etc and places like that tend to try debris that often burns very well like leaves etc or that paper bag in the picture.... Make sure you have a fire extinguisher handy at all times. Also I'd make darn sure you stand a fire watch after you get done to make sure there are no small smoldering leaves etc before you pack up. Usually by the time you get everything cleaned up and put away neatly, that will have eaten up that time. A small table and welding outside the door would help alleviate this issue. Number two is the burn marks on the floor. Again a table of some sort and working outside will help. If nothing else it might pay to get a sheet of 1/4" or 1/2" concrete tile backer to put underneath when you weld to protect the floor. It's not so much that you hurt the floor, but if you make a lot of unsightly marks in a public area, the landlord may not be so keen to let you continue. If need be you can easily put quick connections on your machine and add more lead so you can work outside..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:Welding on your knees sux! I'm pretty good with a stick and I have hell doing it! Saw horses is a good idea. Ditch that hood and get a speedglas or optrel.  It makes a big difference!  To run a 7018 good you need a short arc and that makes it hard to see anything with lesser hoods.