How is your welding progressing? It looks like you are running flux core and maybe a 120 volt machine. I use a Miller 135 120v machine with flux core and mig wire and 75/25 Argon/CO2. If you get your technique and settings right, you can do some nice welds.
Here is a quick weld I did with flux core wire. I was running 125" of 12 gauge extension cord, but luckily the receptacle was in the electrical room where I was working, so the voltage drop must not have been too bad. I welded the hinges at the maximum heat setting on the welder. This isn't a bad looking weld, but I can do better if I take my time and also run mig wire. Flux core has to have the slag chipped or brushed off to be able to see the weld.
If you don't have an auto darkening helmet that is adjustable, you have no idea what you are missing. It allows you to see the weld pool much better. I have a miller elite helmet and I also get my face right by the weld so I can see what is going on. I use my left hand to control the nozzle of the mig gun and the right hand on the trigger. Tilman 750 stick welding gloves are nice and thick but are also very flexible when broken in. Most people move too fast when first welding. You have to watch what the weld puddle is doing and move the torch/gun as the weld is ready to be advanced. Tig welding will really teach you to watch the puddle.
It takes a lot of practice to get good looking welds, but half the battle is finding the right technique so you don't practice bad habits.
If it isn't too breezy where you are welding, mig wire and 75/25 gas produced a clean weld with no slag and almost no splatter. Flux core and mig wire with straight co2 may give slightly more penetration, but I far prefer 75/25 mig and 0.023" wire. My welder also has infinitely controllable wire and heat knobs rather than notches. It allows you to fine tune the settings.
I understand trying to weld with what you have, but hopefully this advice might help you down the road, or maybe you have figured all this out in the last year.
Good luck on your build!
i just told myself "so what it doesnt drive straight"
I got a lincoln 3200hd no gas and I'm using flux core innershield. Next weekend I'll get some pics up. I noticed I'm alot better when the gap is jus right. But I suck at welding looking up at it. Stupid gravity Lol. But the more I weld the better I get. I also noticed the closer I hold the tip to the weld the better it gets
