Just an fyi on the importance to proper teaching and how going to a class will do wonders.
I never welded anything in my life. So i went to a local welding school/fab shop and took a $300 8hr class on tig welding. They told me how to do everything for a first timer from how the machine works to spoting what a good weld looks liek, etc, etc...
Now in this 8hrs i went from knowing jack shit to being able to run t-joints and weld pipe. Albeit not well or pretty looking but i could lay a bead down, and not fuck shit up like you. BTW, i almost went through a full 300+ cu. ft. tank welding that day. So i got a ton of actual weld time.
So whats the point, get someone that knows a thing or two and have them sit you down and teach you things.