Start with an easier to run rod. 7014 can make you look like a pro. 6013 is also a shallow penetration "butter rod" . I have always preferred 6011 to 6010. 6011 is pretty forgiving.
7018 had me feeling pretty psyched, but the 6010 shamed me.
The problem with mig is the weld can look beautiful with almost zero structural value. Just as you think you have mig nailed, run an open root vertical up and the fillets vertical down. When you nailed vertical, see how your open root overhead comes out. Practice practice practice
I will very respectfully say "no comment". I think that next time practice on something you don't want.
Started at 0500, ended at 0030. I fit and welded most of this section after my post yesterday:
Use a drop to dial in your settings and make sure your fits are good to give yourself the best chance at success. Check a couple youtube videos to see what the puddle is supposed to look like. I've seen worse welds than yours in the field by people who charged a customer for them, so I wouldn't worry too much.
Beware the force created when objects fall. A few years ago, I toured Capital Safety in Red Wing, MN for a tower climbing course. They demonstrated their tower that they built to test their fall arrest equipment. The tower was made out of 12" I-beam, granted they were testing with electronic equipment so didn't want any residual movement in the tower. What was very impressive, but also eye opening is they tested 250# test dummies from 10 feet, 6000# of force when the dummy hit the end of the line. With their fall arrest lanyards the force was reduced to less than 1500#'s IIRC.
Luckily I’m just doing a drop test where the weight free falls to the ground, so the tower only has to lift the 250 lbs. It is crazy how forces are increased when falling and how much force fall arrest system must withstand, to not fail.
So you are letting the dead weight hit the ground and not trying to arrest the fall? Should be good to go.
