Look y'all, I done welded iyut., My first try... Options

[SGB]

OK. It looks AWFUL. JUST AWFUL. But thes pieces are really and fully attached. Even actually fused like real welding in a few spots. I'm gonna keep practicing a little before I attempt car stuff, I think. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)
For a cheapie HF wire feed (not mig), it seems to work OK. Who has some good welding tips? I saw something on the almighty internet that indicated there might be primer of some kind? When do ya use this? What do I need to look out for? It's kinda fun. The biggest challenge is starting "in the dark". How easy is it to burn 914 sheet metal up? This is only a two setting unit- high or low. So far I've been using just low.

So here is my sculpture.
Now I really need a good cut-off tool....

[JPB]

Its flux core wire right? For mild steel I think E71T1 is the one to use for flux core .035 in dia.

If you want to learn how to weld, get two plates and but them together flat. Allow for a 1/8" gap between the two plates you will be welding. Fasten them down at the top and bottom with clamps or even a weld tack. The trick is to bridge the gap and burn completely through the metal which should be about 1/8" thick. You need to run just enough heat as to not burn through but still need to weave back and forth from one side to the other and filling the gap with weld wire. When welding, you should see a small puddle of moulten metal which you need to keep wet and stretch it from one end of the plates to the end. If done correctly, it will look like flowing water, about 1/4" wide and slightly convex to almost flat. Just do little even circles in the moulten puddle and it will be perfect. The wire should not bounce as you are doing this but melt smoothly so keep your wire speed in ballance with the heat setting you use. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)