Thanks guys!

So while I was awaiting the pro's comments I tinkered a little more. Looks like same issue, which is common for me, not enough heat. I'll replicate these using more juice.

http://sieg.smugmug.com/Cars/Welding...28_u7K3L-M.jpg

http://sieg.smugmug.com/Cars/Welding...84_4xoYi-M.jpg

http://sieg.smugmug.com/Cars/Welding...94_hZ4vW-M.jpg

http://sieg.smugmug.com/Cars/Welding...62_ScyC2-M.jpg
I'm assuming I want penetration similar to the left end tack?

Out to burn some more metal! :woot:

Looks better,but I'd still add more heat,maybe turn wire feed down a notch and leave slightly bigger gap,try staying longer on trigger

OK, bumped up the amperage and started getting better penetration. Made one pass with the sander and realized I hadn't taken pics yet.
http://sieg.smugmug.com/Cars/Welding...53_ySRBp-L.jpg

http://sieg.smugmug.com/Cars/Welding...27_mFjmL-L.jpg

Sanded down, couple of low spots :(
http://sieg.smugmug.com/Cars/Welding...25_C49QB-L.jpg

Outside corner piece finished out ok......I think?
http://sieg.smugmug.com/Cars/Welding...75_CjDfz-L.jpg

It's a fine and challenging line, I like the it!.......with scrape metal anyway. :D

What do the pro's think?

Not trying to beat you up when I say this...

It's not the outward appearance that makes a test grade weld... it HAS to have penetration... even if it finishes out "fine" on the visible side.

I agree with Elite -- turn the wire down just a skosh more -- heat up a bit more (one amp per .001 thickness of the metal --- so .125" steel (1/8th inch) gets 125 amps.

And he's right -- just stay with the trigger a bit longer...

Isn't this fun?!

Thanks, I take constructive criticism well, it motivates me. :thumbsup:

I've made some darn purdy cold welds too. :yes:

One per thousandth and few more milliseconds on the trigger - Check!

Fun? H*ll yes, I love it!

Thanks again, I really appreciate it. :hail:

Seeing signs of improvement?
http://sieg.smugmug.com/Cars/Welding...07_aeMTK-L.jpg

http://sieg.smugmug.com/Cars/Welding...44_TDYFX-L.jpg

For scale those are 1" wide strips. Gap approx 1/32, heat up, wire down, 1/4" stick out, and little more trigger.

Tack spacing? The new settings enlarged the size of the tack about 15%.

Thanks

Turn the heat down a bit now --- that's too much penetration. Or you're a little long on the trigger --- hard to tell. But it's too much of the dreaded "P".

Thanks, my guess is a little long on the trigger. Now I have a visual idea where the middle ground is. :thumbsup:

once you have your first set of tacks, concentrate on starting your next set at the base of the first. it may help to grind down your first set before you start your second. if you have too much build up on top, it will take more heat to get the pentration that you want.

This works! Ask me how I know! :unibrow: