Stick welding issue

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I have welded stick before and do ok, not good but ok, on thick metal but I tried welding thinner stuff and it was terrible. First off is the obvious, i keep burning through. Also, sometimes it looks good but then i chip off the flux and thats all there is. No filler was in the weld, just the flux. I do ok on thin stuff once in a while but not often. What can i do to fix this?
Reply:Need more details in order to helpHow thick is this thin stuff you're welding?What type of power supply?What type and diameter of filler metal?What amperage setting?What polarity?What joint geometry?Benson's Mobile Welding - Dayton, OH metro area - AWS Certified Welding Inspector
Reply:X2 on more info. Slag and no metal usually means you went to fast.The best way to fix the problem... Practice,  practice,  practice... Thin steel with stick is tough. If you have issues with thicker steel, you're going to have more with thin steel. Thicker steel is much more forgiving and you can get away with settings and speed issues that are not quite right..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:slow down and keep your rod pointed up a hair..if you're not livin on the edge, you're takin up too much room..
Reply:Hmm..might help to use an electrode which is happy with electrode positive (assuming you are using a DC welder..) The arc is slightly hotter at the positive pole...may help to keep you from burning through as easily when you get to the right amps for the thickness...and like they said..slow down. Miller's website has a guide to stick welding in the downloads..it's got some good pics to help you troubleshoot your welds.
Reply:Thank all of you for your advice. I am using a miller gas powered machine with the generator on it. Not a real big machine. Not sure how to tell about polarity though. I have been trying to find the right amperage to run at but havent found it yet. I think its a 7016 rod i am using....maybe 3/32?? People have told me these are good rods for sheet metal welding. The matterial that i was working with was somewhere around 18-22ga.
Reply:1st question, what machine? Some of the older small millers are AC only machines. I doubt you are using 7016. It's not a common rod for most. 7018, 7014 would be more rods I might expect to see you run or 6010/11 or 6013.That gauge steel is going to be very hard to work with. It can be done, but you really need things set right. DDA52 here is good at thin metal with stick. You might Pm him and see if he has some suggestions..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:i also have had issues w/thin material. i used fcaw/mig for long time and limited use w/stick.i like stick much more, but i think my problem is fine tuning the amperage. my machine is a ranger225gxt.lincoln weld pak 100 hdlincoln ranger 225gxt ac/dcoxy/acetylenepuroxcw202 victor fc100harris model 85harrismodel 16oxweld w24roxweld w17
Reply:you guys already knew that,i fogot about the sinaturelincoln weld pak 100 hdlincoln ranger 225gxt ac/dcoxy/acetylenepuroxcw202 victor fc100harris model 85harrismodel 16oxweld w24roxweld w17
Reply:I think if you are trying to weld in the range of 18ga to 22 ga sheet metal it time to switch to mig or tig.  I am not saying that it can't be done because I've welded some exhaust pipe together with 3/32" 6010 but it also was a slip fit piece.  There are small rods that can be purchased may down to 1/16" but I think by then another process would be better.
Reply:anything under 3/16 you can downhill... 6010, 7018.. don't matter.. hell.. you can down hill any thickness metal (with it's pro's and con's).. but thin stuff.. downhill..if you're not livin on the edge, you're takin up too much room..
Reply:I'm sorry guys. Its a 6013 rod. Not sure on the machine though. I'll have to find out. It's my brother's welder. I know that its a gas powered welder off of an overhead door service truck.
Reply:Learn to look at your rod. Rod with a lot of flux on it will be harder to run than one with less. 6013 has too much flux. Try 6011. Harold
Reply:Really? Any reason why it has more flux?.....so when i go slow and it burns through and go fast and it doesnt leave any filler metal, that just means i need to turn the amps down and try going slow?