thanks for the tip, I'll be doing that this weekend

I agree with what Oscar is saying on the thickness. For a practice plate to run beads on I prefer thicker, up to and beyond 3/8", as it gives a bit more of a heat sink and distorts less. For butt or fillet welds I try a bit of everything, though the 3/16" to 5/16" mentioned was where...

Thicker practice parts are better, within reason. You don't want it too oversized and then you have to run the rod at it's upper range without being conscious about what is going on. Get some good beads going on 3/16" to 5/16" thick steel first. Even 3/8" is acceptable, but it all ju...

I think you've got the right ideas going. That practice plate looks good. There could be lots of little things here and there that could possibly be improved on, but since we can't actually see you running those beads, it's on you to just practice and figure the nitty gritty details on your own. Th...

Second practice session 10 ga. plate - millscale removed Hobart 3/32" 7018 95 amps 30% dig What I changed from first session: travel across my body, not towards myself. Mostly left to right, but some right to left - things certainly look a lot different coming the other way. Larger plates this ...

Yes, I would let it cool a bit more before starting the next bead. You can (NEVER do this for anything other than practice pieces) dunk the piece in a bucket of water every three or four beads. This cools the metal down, to under 100°C at least, giving headspace to let it heat up again. If you are ...

Not bad at all. As Jody says "CLAMS". Current Length of Arc Angle Manipulation Speed of Travel. You chose the right current, as 3/32" 7018 runs well with 75-100A, depending on joint position/orientation. Length of arc is what we can't see since we weren't there, but it seems you had ...

3/16" carbon steel (millscale removed) 3/32" 7018 working right to left in the picture below pulling bead towards me (I guess that's not right) First half autoset, 2nd half 100 AMP / 30% Dig These are literally my first ever stick welding beads - tried to focus on at least a consistent tra...

That’s a good welder! Honestly man the best thing would to watch someone run a bead. If you know anyone who welds. Tell them to let you watch them run one. That way you will get an idea of how the puddle should look. Then from there just practice practice. The main thing about welding is reading th...

And256 wrote:
Stupid questions and beginner questions are not the same.

Ha! You haven't seen my questions yet.....

Hello community, I have long desired to learn how to weld - although it is not my career, and likely will never be, I still want to learn. I have purchased a Miller Multimatic 200, and still tooling up my garage to get everything out of it that I can. I have struck an arc with a friends TIG machine,...