Master technique before crafting form

Welding, as it turns out, is a mastery in patience.  If you fail to hone your technique, any application of form will fail.  After 6 weeks of learning basic welding skills I'm chomping at the bit to develop a project.  Yet my welds still aren't holding the muscle required to combine rod to plate steel.  So for now I'll continue to practice various weld joints and sizzle away at the metal until the day my bond is sufficient enough to stand test of time (and outdoor weather.)  Although junk-yard hunting this summer will be fun - I'll begin gathering bits of rusty parts that will serve as inspiration for my summer metal projects!