Trying to weld, I’m terrible!

All great information. I'm no welder but a master grinder (sucks). Biggest things, as mentioned (and told to me years ago) "CLEAN" is a must, Gas is Good, spot and move a few inches away, repeat, then go back to first spot (it is CLEAN right), spot the new to the 1st, move a few inches away, repeat. Practice and patience really, really helps you "tune-in" your mojo. I know it really sucks, but the more you do & learn the better you become. Grinding sucks. Have fun.