On that second lot you have gone up to much with the amps particularly on thin plate, if you are managing to strike up fine and maintain your arc without sticking, then go back to the first settings you had the machine on. I agree with the comments regarding the first lot of welds, they get better as you go along and concur about using two hands to control the speed of travel, I have been doing this a long time and always use two hands if possible. Vodex seem to be a popular rod on here but I have always found them to cover the weld pool with molten flux, I was taught using a Murex HY80/NQ1 rod and these allowed you to see and therefore help control your weld pool whilst learning. The only real way to get better is to practice and as stated earlier in the thread I have also seen far worse (mine) welds for somebody starting up, just keep practicing and enjoy.
