Keep at it man! My dad was a 5th generation railroader (and welder). Union Pacific used to have "take your son to work" day and would do mini training sessions. I learned to weld the first year I was allowed (12) and my welds looked like that. Dad got me on the stick machine and with practice, the difference was night-and-day when I went the next year. By the time I went to the last year, I was running the plasma cutter and the other "cool" toys like a pro! (well, not like a pro, but I was fairly good at it). Had the opportunity to apprentice in after that year, but decided to take the IT route instead.

My "welding" is more like consecutive tacking. But I can grind with the best of them.

Keep at it and you'll get it down! I started about 6 years ago and I think I'm pretty fair now. Not a pro by any means but can make it look decent. I started playing with a TIG welder last year, I do need more work with it.

BRAGGART!!

Bet you would have made a hellofa surgeon.

Thanks for starting this thread and getting the discussion going. I've been on the fence about getting a machine and learning, and the "Buy 220 / stick or don't really bother" kind of make sense to me. My long-term goal would be in welding a frame for a go kart. Part of me would rather take the money I'd spend on a good machine and taking a design to a professional to have it put together, and maybe pay for a minor tutorial as a bonus so I can learn something. Then maybe if the bug really bites I can go get the proper equipment, but I'm trying to spend more time on guitar (again - comes & goes) so the welding / go kart plans are always low on the list. I do appreciate the thread though and keep at it, everybody has to start somewhere. As the joke goes, "How do you get to Carnegie Hall? Practice."

that looks really really bad.

Mods, can we get a sticky on this pic?

3/16,5/32,3/32,1/8- don't remember exactly what rod I smoked that pipe with.. Just a chitty ASME code welder anyways. Just show me the $$$

Let's see day 3!!!

Based on the pics, you seem like a guy who really should not go any higher than using a glue stick for attaching stuff to other stuff.

You hang in there sunshine, just because it looks like a bear's a$$ sewed up with a grapevine doesn't mean you won't get it......at some point. But once you do, you will be able to weld in your sleep!

Cheers,

George

Haven't heard that one in a while! Spoken like a true welder!