Total newbie!!

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Hey all. I just recently bought a 225A arc welder. I have played around with some mig welders over the years and will be getting some larger equipment for the house we just bought as it has alot of land. So all that being said here is my question. I want to build a rack for a bbq pit. I picked up some carbon steel L brackets about 1/4 inch thick at the local tractor supply and ordered some 16 gauge carbon steel expanded steel. What kind of rods do i need to use and what should the welder be set too. I know I need to be operating on the low end of the power range cuz i goofed around a bit with some rods i had and absolutely blew through the expanded steel...HELP!!
Reply:You picked some of the hardest to weld material there is for stick welding.  By the time you get a puddle, it's time to disengage. I haven't stick welded in years, but I remember what a PITA expanded metal was to weld.Someone will be along very soon to help you. Welcome aboard.Two turn tables and a microphone.
Reply:Generally for thin metal you try and run smaller rods. I'd try 1/16" or 5/32" rods if you can find them, 3/32" if you can't. 7014 would be my 1st choice followed by 6013 for someone new to stick. Your rod type will some what be dictated by what sizes you can find. I'd pick a smaller rod in 6013 over say a larger one in 7014, that way you can run lower amps.  The smaller size rods though are sometimes hard to find. The recomended settings for AC are usually on the package. I'd start at the mid point on the suggested scale and see how that goes. As said small thin metal is a real PITA with stick since it tends to burn hot compared to say mig.Oh FYI, Tractor Supply and box stores like Depot and Lowes are very pricy for materials. You get a much better price if you buy form a steel supplier most times. In some cases I can buy a 20' length of material for just a bit more than Depot wants for a 4' piece..No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth! Ronald Reagan
Reply:Originally Posted by DSWGenerally for thin metal you try and run smaller rods. I'd try 1/16" or 5/32" rods if you can find them, 3/32" if you can't.
Reply:Arc welding on that small stuff is going to be a challange.  Do youself a big favor; follow the advice here about the rod sizes, but get some scrap of the approiate size and practice a lot before actually welding the rack.  That's the only way to make sure you have the heat set right.  Good luck and post pictures.Lincoln Pro Mig 180Everlast PowerARC 200
Reply:Awesome!! Thanks everyone. I will pick up some small rods and test some scrap this weekend and see how things go. It sounds like for this particular project I may be better off renting a mig welder. Any suggestions on the best Mig setup for this project?