Smoothing a weld bead is a personal choice. But it's not mine for the reasons I have mentioned. Really don't care what someone else does to a welded piece. I have smoothed over some beads that have a large lump or two, but never even with the surface. Maybe I should have mentioned I too am a welder, these days mainly oxy/act. and arc welding. I Don't like to arc welding, but sometimes the larger equipment we have needs to be repaired. I can wire feed and TIG weld, also braze and silver solder. I would love to have more time to TIG weld. That said, if you weld and don't like the bead YOU laid down, by all means grind it smooth and even with the surface.

Mike