Welding for the first time - need advice

If you weld and it makes popping sounds like the wire is exploding, too much wire, not enough voltage.

If you hear hissing, not enough wire, too much voltage it's burning back up the wire to your tip.

I like about 3/8-1/2" wire stickout. Try to keep that distance consistent as you weld.

You want a small gap in the material, otherwise the wire has nowhere to fill and it will peak. If you can back it with copper, brass it will help with your blow through.