How about the projects section so you can keep us up to date with progress.
Welding looks OK, but you'd probably find the thinner bits easier if you clean the metal up a little better. Bit on the left looks much neater than the bits on the right.
to be honest with you i started on the right hand side first then moved over to the left and i was a lot happer with the left side . Preparation is the key like you say
i also have an argon co2 mix to try any pointers ?