why is my welding inconsistent?

Mad Dart said

You should not be pushing a weld puddle with a MIG unless you absolutely need to because of a cramped area or something.

You should be PULLING the weld. For example start the weld on your left and end on your right. The reason I say this is if you are Pushing the weld and have your tip at a 30* angle it will be really hard to see what you are doing and how the weld is coming along.

Stick Welding you Pull the weld.

Tig Welding and Gas welding you PUSH the Puddle......

Click to expand...

That's funny. I'm not disagreeing with you Mad Dart, but I've heard EXACTLY the opposite. The rationale being that by pushing into the weld you have better gas coverage. From my own experience, I've found it easier to see and control the weld puddle by pulling the gun.

I've also read on a couple of other welding websites that the push vs. pull argument is BS and you should use what ever you have to, as with tight spaces you will sometimes be forced to push and or be forced to pull. The reality is that you can get a solid structural weld with either technique.

Regards,

Joe Dokes