To pull or to push ? Stick

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Well I have a small 150 amp stick welder (just learnin).  I am running 6013 3/32 rod on 3/16" plate (yeah the rod is a bit small but its just practice).  I am just wondering what would make a smoother flatter weld push or pulling ?If I was welding this 3/16" plate for something that needed strength id probably want to use a 1/8" E7014 or maybe E7018 rod right ?  This newb needs all the help he can get.  Atleast I can start without sticking the rod now !!!  lol woo hooo !Thanks,Darryl
Reply:As far as mild steel plate, I don't think you will notice a difference much from a 6013 to a 7014, atleast i never have.  For a 6013 you want to pull the rod.  It is a drag type rod which means once the arc is started you can drag the end of the rod against the work piece.  That will help with holding to long of an arc.  Try running your 3/32 at about 80 amps. Start the arc and drag the rod with a slight "crescent" back and forth motion, but make sure you do not weave to wide.  Also if you can look for a couple good welding manuals and they will answer alot of your questions, also some good ones will show pictures of what the welds look like using certain methods and give you something to compare to.  Keep Burning rods and you will get the hang of it.  ~JacksonI'm a Lover, Fighter, Wild horse Rider, and a pretty good welding man......
Reply:Thanks for the advice.  I will see about getting a couple of welding manuals !  Well so far I have only burnt maybe 10 rods.  I plan to keep burning them til I get good.Thanks again,Darryl
Reply:Newfie, when you're using some rods, and 6013 is one of them, you should be able to feel actual contact between the material and the rod. More correctly the flux cone protecting the rod itself will be(or should be)actually on the plate.The rod will almost weld itself as long as you maintain the proper angle to your work.When its said to drag, they dont really mean dragging the rod as much they mean maintaining the angle of attack or lean in direction of travel.A small rod like your using should make between 3"--7" of weld, depending on angle. Just for kicks, try holding straight on into the plate and make a puddle or a small circle Dont drag the tip around as much as just hold an archand let it burn off.