What do you think?

[austindbell]

Hey guys , Im 14 and ive been working on my welding. No one else in my family knows how to weld so ive taught myself. Me and my grandpa are building a 72 c10 for my first car and i want to bag it . i think i need alot more work but i want to try and weld my own rear suspension here are some of my welds. By the way if anyone has any deals on <sorry but WTB ads are only allowed by subscribing members> please let me know .
Tell me what you think of the welds.

[bdydrp97s10]

youve got a good start there... it looks to me like you have too much build up of metal and not enough burn in.

turn your heat up a little

[austindbell]

Is the metal supposed to be touching or should I leave a little gap between the two pieces where I'm gonna weld?

[Spray-Bomb]

Small gap will give you better penetration

[the lights]

im no expert by any means but you can taper the ends with a grinder to get better penetration when butt welding thicker stuff. also as stated above more heat wouldnt hurt either. what kind of welder are you using?

[austindbell]

Not sure the exact model but a northern tool mig welder, it's all I could afford at the time $300

[ShowSS12]

Not to bad, but like the others has stated turn the heat up a bit. To get an idea if your getting good penetration is cut across your welds and see.

[fixit-p]

Good way to set you welder settings is to first select you heat range (go with the recomendations in you user manual for starters) that is your voltage setting. Next strike an arc on some scrap steel and adjust your wire speed until it sounds like your frying an egg your just going by sound here that will get you close. If it's too hot or too cold select the next heat range and readjust your wire speed. Never change your voltage while welding but it's ok to adjust your wire speed.

[Ronm909]

WOW 14, thats awesome, I am 30 and just learing myself.

[austindbell]

THanks guys, changed a few things, how does it look now?

http://s480.photobucket.com/albums/r...ell1684/welds/

[the lights]

mucho better. just keep practicing and you will be the master of welds

[SCOTI]

It's hard to tell on your practice pieces so it's worth mentioning..... Thoroughly clean the areas to be welded. Make sure the metal is clean from oil, scale, & grime, w/a fresh once over w/a grinding wheel for added insurance.