Feedback on First Welds

First, a little history. My dad was a steamfitter/pipefitter all his life and was very well respected by everybody he worked with. He was a true craftsmen.

As I got older I wanted to learn to weld, nothing fancy. I just wanted to "glue metal together". When I was in my 20's I thought asking him to teach me to weld would be a good "father/son experience". So, when I came home to visit one weekend I said - "Hey Dad, could you teach me to weld some weekend."

I never said any single sentence to him that pissed him off that much. A polite version of his response is "You can't learn to weld in a weekend." And that was the end of that. (He's gone now, but every time I think about that - I have to laugh out loud.)

Jump forward 30 years and my first time welding was building my welding cart. I did some practice welds first. My initial ones were done with flux core and, even to my untrained eye, they looked like crap.

Then, I saw a post where someone who had just switched to using gas had photos comparing the two. At that point, I figured I should switch to gas. So I got a tank and used 25% CO2.

I have three pictures with welds. I'd like to provide my comments, so that I can find out if my evaluation is correct plus get add any words of wisdom you care to share. These are all on 14 gauge 1 1/2" tube.

Attachment 3389
The first picture shows two welds. The top weld is one of the first I had done and the bottom was after doing quite a few. I'm assuming from the discoloration of the metal that the power was too high. It's noticable to me in both, but much worse in the bottom.

The top weld looks like it was an inconsistant travel speed. Also, not straight. But it was a mondern day "miracle". After I put on reading glasses, my welding seemed to really improve :) I'm wondering why that weld has the brown discoloration around it while the bottom doesn't.

I thought the bottom weld looked pretty good. Heat discoloration was worse and there was actually a little bit of the corners of the tube that melted/burnt through. To my untrained eye, I thought this one was my best.

I'm still not clear "how much" of a bead is enough thought.

Attachment 3390
In the second picture, I'd say power is still an issue due to discoloration. Travel speed was a little off. Again, I'm not sure why the left has brown discoloration and the right doesn't. The bead size was bigger, though not real consistent.

Attachment 3388

In the third one, it seems like I have consistent travel speed and bead size. It seemed reasonable to me.

I think I did notice one thing in general - my welds were very inconsistant. I found that if it was a comformable position and I could use my right hand to brace my left (I'm left handed) - I'd get a much better looking bead.

I welcome any feedback since I'm an absolute newbie. I think these are in the ballpark. I'd like to make sure and then figure out what to do to get better.

Thanks

looks like the welds keep improving, practice practice practice and more practice

bottom weld looks good. your HAZ or heat affected zone isnt bad at all. i suggest getting a scrap piece and running beads. try to keep your puddle a consistant width, work on travel speed and also your angle of electrode.

When you join square tubing like that you have 2 butt joints and 2 fillets, you welded the butt joints, butt joints require a small gap to let the weld material flow down and make a stronger flatter looking weld, if you were to carry on and weld the fillets your welds would look better. Sometimes we fit up too exactly and don't leave room for the weld material so we deposit rod and then grind it down for better appearance which weakens the weld.Try the fillet sides now, they will turn out better.

Sorry you never had a chance to weld with you dad. I work with many pipe fitters and am always amazed at the skill that professional welders have. I am a desk jockey and only get to work with the craft every once and a while. One of the welders at work provided the following tip when I started welding "...slow down and when you think you are going slowly that is probably not going slow enough."

Anyway good start to your welding.