can't make a stright weld

[mrman]

got a nooby question here. just started stick welding at school, and i cannot make a stright weld to save my life LOL. i used soap stone to make a line, but it disappears when i start welding. is there another way so i can see the line?

[Gingerboy]

Practice tying in stringers, and start on the edge of the plate. You may wanna try a lighter shade lens.

[gnforge]

Soap stone works but u need to develop hand eye. To help that use two hands, one to hold stinger other to guide & keep steady. Also at 1st u can lay down a piece of metal as guide to slide your guide hand along. Make a dry run with hood up to get feel of bead then run it.
As with most things practice refines, practice, practice, practice. It will come in time.
Get old stinger or buy cheap one & put pencil in place of rod, practice in spare time on paper to develop skill.

[nocheepgas]

Try grinding a shallow groove in the base metal to follow, it will be more like filling a seam than just trying to run a bead on flat stock.

[mikesystem]

It Sure takes time and time and then more time

[mrman]

well i did a series of lines today, and they don't look to bad. i like to show you guys what i did to get some constructive criticism. how do you post pic on here?

[awill4x4]

Also, don't be too proud to refuse using a cheater magnification lens.
I use a 1.5 X most of the time and if the amps are really low I'll put on my reading glasses as well.
Regards Andrew from Oz.