I feel sorry for Sean as he is trying his best but he gets a couple fundamental things dead wrong in this 3:49 video:
He is dressed wrong with a buttoned shirt (the better to trap and hold spatters of molten metal)
His shirtsleeves are rolled up or short exposing his arms to the intense UV light from the arc -- really bad sunburn. When I first started welding, I would frequently work on the floor. I wear Teva sandals with socks and had my skin blister and peel on my feet after a long welding session. Hurt like hell to walk...
He doesn't run the arc hot enough -- he talks about melting through the workpiece; if this happens it is a technique problem and not a voltage problem. The welding happens where the metal is being melted and if you are not melting all of the metal, the joint is not completely welded.
He quenches the work after welding. This causes extreme stress in the metal and will guarantee a brittle weld.
Your best bet is to see if there is a local Community College or Vocational School. Frequently they will have Welding for Dummies classes and even if you are currently welding, these classes will help to break your bad habits.
Link is from the new-to-me excellent website Welding Tips and TricksPosted by DaveH at November 14, 2009 7:32 PM