Hi . Firstly may a say a huge thanks to all of those who have taken the time and trouble to set up and offer advice and help on this forum it's an absolute godsend to a total newbie. I have always wanted to learn to weld and needing a new set of gates I figured if I could learn to weld then I could make my own and the cost saving would hopefully pay for the welder. Read through the tutorials and a lot of threads on here and bought a secondhand BOC 190 and auto darkening helmet.
Finally got some gas for it today and armed with an offcut from a local fabricator had a go!. Started off quite badly but through trial and error with the settings began to get what looked and sounded like a reasonable weld, got bored making straight, well, straightish lines so got a bit more adventurous! I found this actually helped as I could try both push and pull techniques and vary the travel speed. So for two hours effort I have learnt that newly welded metal is very very hot
, timber workbenches set alight quite easily and welding is great fun 
Hopefully some photos below, constructive comments and advice on next steps to take would be most appreciated
Regards Norm.
Finally got some gas for it today and armed with an offcut from a local fabricator had a go!. Started off quite badly but through trial and error with the settings began to get what looked and sounded like a reasonable weld, got bored making straight, well, straightish lines so got a bit more adventurous! I found this actually helped as I could try both push and pull techniques and vary the travel speed. So for two hours effort I have learnt that newly welded metal is very very hot
, timber workbenches set alight quite easily and welding is great fun Hopefully some photos below, constructive comments and advice on next steps to take would be most appreciated
Regards Norm.
