Good
welding beads are visually worthless. Proper welds are only applied where structural integrity is necessary.
I run hot and cold beads for the visual effect I want. The more heat
and spatter the better. Metal warping matters little. I use an ac/dc stick welder and set the amperage and
polarity to get the visual effect I want regardless of the welding rod type
or size . I
use mild steel and cast iron because they are more ugly than
beautiful, physically heavy and highly susceptible to
corrosion.
As sculpture
material they mirror my feelings about life.
The only rules I
follow are to not stand in a puddle when welding and drop the welding hood
down in time. Enough said.