Dumbass Beginers Question

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OK guys, I've got the welder hooked up.  For those who don't know, I'm new and will begin welding classes this Spring.  The wife has her first class this coming Tuesday.  I have an older Thunderbolt 225AC (HD-6).  So far, I've read the "Beginners" book to welding (1964) put out by Lincoln.  I've also read Finch's Welding Guide.  Now, the Lincoln book tells me to use a 1/8", 6010 electrode for (I think) up to 1/4" plate and to set my current between 90 and 100 amps (I hooked it to the "Low" receptacle on the welder)  It says I can accomplish the same goal on AC, at the same current setting, but using a 6011 electrode.  Well, I'm using AC of course, but I don't have any 6011, so I tried a 6010 and set the current at about 100 amps.  My steel was, I think, 11 ga. "cold-rolled" -  your basic industrial steel.  My helmet shield is a #10.  Well, I couldn't really get an arc going.  I actually touched the steel with the electrode and it obligatorily stuck to the plate.  I decided to stop and post my dumbass newby question.  OK, could the fact that the circuit breaker I'm connected to is only 30 amps (although it didn't trip) have anything to do with it?  Could it have been that I needed the 6011 electrode?  (BTW, I'm assuming the "Work" receptacle on the welder is the ground clamp and the electrode cable goes into the Low or High receptacle).  Please help.  I need to weld.Thanks"Never mistake education for intelligence."AIRCO Oxy/AccMiller Thunderbolt
Reply:Wait until your wife gets home Tuesday and she can teach you how to weld.
Reply:Well I have always been taught that the only stupid question is one not asked. From what I have learned and have been told that  establishing and arc can be difficult with an A/C machine because of the alternating current flow. All I can say is keep practicing on establishing your arc and you will get the hang of it.Will   Supports Autism Awareness                            My ToysBobCat 225 PLusMillermatic 130Miller Spectrum 300 CutmateEverlast Power Tig 185 Micro April is Autism Month .
Reply:Originally Posted by rdop2001Wait until your wife gets home Tuesday and she can teach you how to weld.
Reply:Anytime
Reply:Learning to strike an arc is tricky for some. It takes practice. If you stick the rod to the work and can't free it with a flick back and forth... release the rod from the clamp so you don't overload the welder. You can then break the rod free and grind down the stub. If you break a lot of flux off the rod you'll want to trim the rod back or start with a new one. An AC box is fine... just make sure your using AC rod. Try running a little hot as it will be easier to strike and hold your arc.There are a number of instructional videos on youtube that might help. Here are a couple I grabbed quickly at random that talk a little about striking an arc and direction of travel. There are many more.
Reply:IIRC 6010 is a DC rod 6011 is both ac or dc
Reply:6010 is a DC only electrode, so trying to use it on Ac is an effort in futility. Also 1/8" rods are really too big for a 30 amp circuit. 100 amps is borderline if the draw will trip the breaker even if you get the arc started. 11ga is also really too thin for 1/8" rods unless you have a bit of skill. for 1/8" rods you probably want to be using at least 1/4" steel, and the tech school teaches stick with 1/8" rods on 3/8" steel.If you want to weld with that the way it is you need to get 3/32" rods 1st. 6011 will run at the lowest amperage, but many have trouble with learning with those rods. They weld "different" than say 7014, 7018AC or 6013, which are all drag rods. I'd suggest 3/32" 7014 to start with. It's an easy rod to learn with and should if run at roughly the middle of the amp range work without tripping most 30 amp breakers..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:Thanks guys.  This is a great help."Never mistake education for intelligence."AIRCO Oxy/AccMiller Thunderbolt
Reply:Originally Posted by forhireLearning to strike an arc is tricky for some. It takes practice. If you stick the rod to the work and can't free it with a flick back and forth... release the rod from the clamp so you don't overload the welder. You can then break the rod free and grind down the stub. If you break a lot of flux off the rod you'll want to trim the rod back or start with a new one. An AC box is fine... just make sure your using AC rod. Try running a little hot as it will be easier to strike and hold your arc.There are a number of instructional videos on youtube that might help. Here are a couple I grabbed quickly at random that talk a little about striking an arc and direction of travel. There are many more.
Reply:You should visit a local welding supply store in your area and buy some 3/32" size 60116010 doesn't work very well with AC. I think you'll find a lot easier time starting 6011 with AC.1/8" thick 6010 or 6011 may have a tendency to blow holes in the 11 ga. plate like a .44 magnum. Especially considering you're a beginner. that's a bit too much current.That's not to say that striking an arc isn't tricky sometimes. That's always the first welding skill that needs to be mastered. I like to use the "tapping" method.
Reply:I was just browsing a Google Books preview of one of Richard Finch's books, think it was the Monster Garage book.  I couldn't stand to read more than one page of his misinformation."USMCPOP" First-born son: KIA  Iraq 1/26/05Syncrowave 250 w/ Coolmate 3Dialarc 250, Idealarc 250SP-175 +Firepower TIG 160S (gave the TA 161 STL to the son)Lincwelder AC180C (1952)Victor & Smith O/A torchesMiller spot welder