Critique My Stick Welds

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Please let me know if these welds are any good and what I need to work on.  I know the end of my welds need some work, and they are not the straightest, but just curious if the beads are ok or if they need anything different.  Please remember though that this is only the second time I have used a stick welder.  I got one last month but never tried it until tonight.  I was using 7018 rods with DCEP at around 140 amps.  The material was about 1/4" thick. Attached ImagesMy Babies:MillerMatic 185Thermal Arc 300SHobart StickMate AC/DC 235/160Dalex Werke Spot WelderOh and the wife and kids are important too!
Reply:They look good!  I'd like to see the back side.  Do you have a band saw?  If so, cut them in half and see how your penetration is.  Good job for only the second time.
Reply:Originally Posted by JC'sWeldingThey look good!  I'd like to see the back side.  Do you have a band saw?  If so, cut them in half and see how your penetration is.  Good job for only the second time.
Reply:Your first picture shows that you were welding at a angle to the work piece instead of over it. See how the center of the weld isn't the visual center?  the middle of the V's are actually offset from the center of the weld.   That is because of poor rod angle.  Additionally,  I would verify the  amperage.  It looks cold to me and the amperage you gave should be showing some signs of undercutting but it isnt.   Maybe a little fast.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:Doggone Dooood!!A stringer run on a piece of plate piles up metal.  There's nowhere for the filler to go but up.It'a a pretty good looking weld.  No whipping, good speed, no spatter."Any day above ground is a good day"http://www.farmersamm.com/
Reply:Looks good!  Scribe a series of lines on the plate so you can follow the line as you weld.   Or.. stack your beads onto eachother, you get more practice out of each plate that way.MM350P/Python/Q300MM175/Q300DialarcHFHTP MIG200PowCon300SMHypertherm380ThermalArc185Purox oaF350CrewCab4x4LoadNGo utilitybedBobcat250XMT304/Optima/SpoolmaticSuitcase12RC/Q300Suitcase8RC/Q400Passport/Q300Smith op
Reply:Your welds are looking good for a beginner.  I would suggest to start practicing on joints or grind grooves in the plate, and weld them up.  Welding on flat plate is fine, but not a whole lot of times that you will actually be doing that when welding.I'm a Lover, Fighter, Wild horse Rider, and a pretty good welding man......