Bret,
I did switch from the one machine to the other... that Miller 350P was kicking my butt... I have only failed one test plate since swapping over... and the one I failed had a 3/16 long surface hair line in it... and 1/8 in max allowable... and the only reason I got that was I with this machine I am able to get good enough burn through that I do not have to weld the backside. However, after doing that one I have been welding the backside sheerly to avoid this issue. It has almost no structural improvements to it, but it makes all the difference aesthetically... sorry to hear about your crappy working enviroment... but I am fairly familar with you doing so...
JP,
The job hunt/search can be increased to include you in it... just name the field and I will search or get leads... just remember cost of living and pay is slightly less, unless you are willing to drive at least and hour to work...
Gns-R-Slow...
I know several of the guys say "open root" is a pita.. as is stainless... as for job.. at the moment the Marine base is the best option, they pay around $20-25 hr... for a good welder... but their standards are crazy... but it is what I am shooting for at the moment...
To all, lol..
Posting a few pics just for the heck of it... and these pieces have not be cleaned or wirebrushed to remove any lose slag or surface particles... they have not been altered in anyway shape or form.. I apologize for the poor quality in pics and welds... but it's the best I got to work with right now... lol...
Two views from top...
The welds start at the bottom and go up
View of one from side... sort of...
The weld in this picture goes from left to right... the leftside being the bottom.. and right being top.. I just rotated the camera..
View from topside down...
Incase you are not sure or aware, the idea is to make the welds tie intogether and be spaced as evenly as possible but no more than half your puddle/weld up... the shape of the weld when looking down upon it should be even and close to flat as possible... a small cresent shape is acceptable however an arc or hump is not... I could go more in depth but I think you get the idea... oh yeah, gravity is a PITA!!!!!