Critique my welding please

[mcantar18c]

I didn't go to school or anything for welding. I know some of you have or are otherwise experienced with it.

This is what I felt was a good example of my average for a basic weld, and I'd like some constructive criticism on it (or just tell me it's crap, whatever)...

[SideShow Bob]

A little fast on your pass, it shouldn't be pointed, the flow should be rounded. How is the penetration ?
Try slowing down just a little and make tiny circles.

[Fentonite]

Better than I can do. My welds are uglier than the First Lady.

[ray1970]

A little fast on your pass, it shouldn't be pointed, the flow should be rounded. How is the penetration ?
Try slowing down just a little and make tiny circles.

The pointy, "v" shape threw me off. Haven't seen that before. I was kind of questioning the penetration but it really is hard to tell from a picture.

I'm not one to criticize though. I can stick metal together but my welds look like a bird crapped on them.

[Hound]

Guessing flux core with all the splatter. Might try half moon movement to get "stack of dimes" instead of what looks like push-pull. No periocity that I can see (which is not much)...... should do the job but I would recommend a class. They are fun and can save both money and your life depending on what you intend to weld for.

PS: the pic does not show the right angle to see penetration or prep work. The 'pointiness' looks like a push-pull method to me, which is common without training.

[mcantar18c]

Penetration and fusion are fine as far as I can tell. I was having some undercut issues with the thinner material, but it was just an issue with my settings. IIRC the vertical piece in this pic is 1/8" and the bottom piece is 1/4".
I'll see if I can't get better pics tomorrow of the penetration.

As for the pattern... I was under the impression that tiny circles or "c" pattern are for short circuit? This is with a pulse/spray MIG. I've been pushing on horizontal welds and pulling on verticals.
So should I be using the same patterns here that I do for short circuit?

[Great-Kazoo]

Penetration and fusion are fine as far as I can tell. I was having some undercut issues with the thinner material, but it was just an issue with my settings. IIRC the vertical piece in this pic is 1/8" and the bottom piece is 1/4".
I'll see if I can't get better pics tomorrow of the penetration.

As for the pattern... I was under the impression that tiny circles or "c" pattern are for short circuit? This is with a pulse/spray MIG. I've been pushing on horizontal welds and pulling on verticals.
So should I be using the same patterns here that I do for short circuit?

Practice, practice, practice. What seems fustrating now will be a slice of pie, later. Stick with one style now, till you feel comfortable. Then move to project #2

[Lars]

It doesn't look terrible. The V is from traveling to fast. Slow your travel speed down until you have a nice crecent shape. Oscillation ( the C pattern) is used to wash the filler medal into both pieces. It helps for undercut and cold roll. Try turning down your wire speed to clean up the excessive spatter as well. Looking at your weld you can see where you started your bead it is thicker then thins out in the first quarter inch, that is where you sped up your travel speed. Also try grinding off the mill scale on your pieces and that will help improve weld quality. If you have any more questions feel free to ask, this is what I do for a living.

[Irving]

If you have any more questions feel free to ask, this is what I do for a living.

Critique other people's welding? Must be an inspector.

[Lars]

[QUOTE=Irving;1832461]Critique other people's welding? Must be an inspector. [/QUOTE

not an inspector, just a pipe welder that has spent a lot of hours behind my hood constantly trying to improve my own weld appearance and quality to match guys that have spent even more hours then me behind their hood.