Definately a good Idea! being as it is 3/16th, what do I do if i cannot get either to break?

that is what i was thinking, weld it, abuse it and fix it if it fails, repeat, then proceed with paint. I also do not intend on grinding the external bead unless it looks really bad. when i welded what i took the picture of, the back sides of both pieces were glowing a nice bright red, I assume that...

I guess i should also be a little more clear on what it is that i am building. here is a link to the company that sells what i am buying for a bumper kit. https://www.movebumpers.com/
I figure this will give the best idea of what i will be working with. I have a 98 Chevy K3500

Thank you for your honesty. Unfortunately the only person I know who i thought was a competent welder, i found out is nothing more than a drunk who talks a big game. I am going to do a rear bumper first, and i have a hitch on the truck, which is what will be stopping any car that rear ends me, so i ...

I definitely was planning on getting some when i started on my bumper build, i just did not want to waste any on practice, until i get better at the beads.
is it safer to run a strait bead, and then a second bead over the top of that to the top layer? better penetration, or just wasting material?

Thanks everyone! Yes, that was my other thought. I want to do as much as i can on my own, since i completely rebuilt my truck, and want to be able to say i did almost everything, but the recovery points i will likely just take to the local fab company and have them process it through, but i will com...

Thanks for the reply's everyone! the reason for sticking with the small welders for myself is that i do not have a 220 in my garage, and my house panel is full, so i am unable to even run one. any recommendation for a flux core wire that will provide a strong but not brittle weld? it seems like the ...

I am going to be building a truck bumper, and the bumper kit is 99% 3/16th. The kit also includes shackle mounts that are 1/4 inch. when welding the 1/4 to the 3/16, do i weld on a setting for the 1/4 or for the 3/16? I need it to be strong, as that is what i will be using to pull my truck out of st...