First pull of the trigger!! With pics...

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Background:  I stick welded in high school, 21 years ago.  Haven't touched a welder since.  Fast forward to last week...I've acquired an older Lincoln Mig welder SP170T.  Old, yes...but free is a good price!  Wired the garage for 220volts, and didn't get hurt in the process.  (It helps having a licensed electrician hold my hand through the process!)I read the manual front to back several times, watched every youtube video I could find, and have seen almost every post on this website.  (Which has been a great help.)  I don't have a very good place to weld in my garage, so I just wanted to try a couple of tack welds tonight.  Here's how they look:Using .035 innershield w/wirefeed of 2.5 (per the table.)  The table also recommends voltage setting "C", I tried B and A just to compare.  I really don't know what I'm looking at, so if anybody sees anything of interest I'm all ears.  I'm not sure if C is too high, or what.  I think B looks the best to be honest.  Thanks!Last edited by chrisj13; 04-01-2012 at 12:49 AM.
Reply:Well, it looks like the welder is working just fine.  Run some beads and show us the photos.Miller Syncrowave 350Millermatic 252/ 30A spoolgunMiller Bobcat 225g w/ 3545 spoolgunLincoln PowerArc4000Lincoln 175 Mig  Lincoln 135 Mig Everlast 250EX TigCentury ac/dc 230 amp stickVictor O/AHypertherm 1000 plasma
Reply:There's really not enough "bead" there to tell anything at all except maybe the machine works.You need to run some longer beads so we can see what you are doing. Short beads aren't all that hard to do. It's having the consistency to do useable beads on a regular basis that's more difficult. If you aren't planning to do sheet metal work, I'd suggest a bit heavier steel to start out with. a 12" long length of 2-3" angle 3/16"-3/8" thick will give you a lot of practice with minimal material expense. A  decent chunk of 1/4" flat plate will do the same thing. Run beads right next to one another 1/2 on 1/2 off over and over to get the rhythm and basics down. After you get consistant, you can start working on joints.Looks like you ran out and bought some steel at Depot / Lowes. That's the most expensive way to get practice material. You'll want to look for a steel supplier in your area and get your stuff there, or find a fab shop that will sell you shorts to practice on. For what 2-3 pieces at Depot will run you, you can probably buy a full20'+ length at the supplier. Attached Images.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:Got brave and ran some beads.  All ugly as can be, but it's a start.  Had the Lincoln set at C-2.5, as per the table.  Was welding with .035 innershield on 1/8" steel from HD.  Any critique is much appreciated.
Reply:They aren't as pretty as you would want them to be yet, but they are welds.  Just keep practicing on getting good penetration.  Looks aren't everything, but your welds will get better looking as you get more experience.  NEVER weld anything critical unless you and your machine are up to the task. Your Lincoln 170 is a good mig welder and I believe it supports gas welding. Get yourself a bottle of 75/25  (argon/CO2), a gas regulator, buy some ER-70S mild steel wire, switch the polarity of your welder, and see how much nicer the welds flow (with less spatter).  If you go back to the innershield, don't forget to reverse the polarity.Miller Syncrowave 350Millermatic 252/ 30A spoolgunMiller Bobcat 225g w/ 3545 spoolgunLincoln PowerArc4000Lincoln 175 Mig  Lincoln 135 Mig Everlast 250EX TigCentury ac/dc 230 amp stickVictor O/AHypertherm 1000 plasma