Welding School Day One

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Hey,Everyone likes pics of beginner's welds right? Today was day one of Basic Arc for me and so here are the compulsory stringer beads that qualified as "acceptable" and so now I'm on to the "weave" bead (but will still be practicing the stringers). I'd appreciate any comments or constructive criticism. I'm told we are going to spend a day on starts/stops which will be a real help considering how big a "blob" I get on the re-start. And the crater at the end needs work. Yeah, I know the picture quality is bad. I clearly need to get a real camera.1/8" 60101/4" Mild Steel Plate 4" X 7"Miller XMT 304 DCEP @ 80AThanks for the replies.Eric Attached Images
Reply:The bottom bead looks a little fast... You know that it is too fast, when the ripples become pointed, aka arrowheads...But it looks great!! I remember my first time with 6011, and i failed miserably, lol... I hope you like it, im also in classes at my high school... Just keep practicing, and it will be frustrating at times. Good luck, and keep the pictures coming :-)[Account Abandoned 8/8/16 Please Do Not Attempt Contact Or Expect A Reply]. See you on YouTube! -ChuckE2009
Reply:i would suggest that the arrowheads are a result of tooflat a rod angle...
Reply:Thanks for the encouragement. Yeah, I'm extremely "fired up" about this program. They have an outstanding facility at the college. Its where the regional Plumbers/Pipefitters do their training. All brand new or very recently new Miller/Lincoln industrial grade equipment. So, this was actually my first time stick welding with DC. I have been trying to teach myself at home with a Miller Thunderbolt AC only and I was concerned that I had taught myself some bad habits but I was very surprised how quickly and easily I was able to adjust to the DCEP process. The sound is totally different and it seems like I can see the puddle better for some reason. Maybe the vent hood helps pull the smoke/fumes away and I just never noticed it at home. The arc characteristics are a little different too. I want to say a little easier to control/manipulate. Starts are easier too. I've been waiting to try DC because I want to find out what all this "arc-blow" stuff I've been reading about is like but I didn't seem to notice any arc waver while running stringers. I'm sure I'll get my chance to enjoy it. Yeah, the bottom bead has some travel speed issues as well. One of the things I need to work on to build consistency is the re-start. I have trouble picking that optimal travel speed back up with a new electrode. So, I get these big blobs at first from the rod being a little cold at first and then I try and compensate by picking the forward rate up and the triangles are evidence of moving too fast. But, sometimes I get it right. Practice, practice, practice. I know I'm going to get it. It could be some rod angle lapse but I brace myself against an object and am very careful to watch the angle. If I let my rod angle get away from me its usually too perpendicular or straight down. I only seem to get too much angle on Tee joints for some reason. But, I haven't had this much fun in many years! Its hard to believe I get to do this 5 days a week. So, besides Basic Arc I'm also taking Basic OA and a class called "Welding for Art and Engineering". All three of these are my first semester and then its on to advanced arc/OA plus blueprint reading.Thanks to everyone on WW. I probably wouldn't have enrolled in college if it weren't for the initial info and tips I got from this site.Eric