The single habit that most improved my beads

keeping the torch angle constant i know that sounds obvious almost every intermediate welder i coach is unknowingly rocking the torch through the joint the bead width changes shot to shot the puddle wanders and they blame parameters fix pick your torch angle usually 10 to 15 degrees off vertical for a butt weld and lock your wrist move the whole hand along the joint not the tip two ways to build the muscle memory run a foot of bead on plate with your non dominant hand supporting your torch hand at the wrist you can feel any rocking motion immediately use a jig or fence for the first inch of every weld until the angle is locked in would love to hear what habit made the biggest difference for others