Help! Stick welding square tubing.

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Hi,Hello to all! I am new to this Forum and look forward to exchanging knowledge and ideas. I have a Lincoln AC stick stick welder, 40-225 Amps, some people call it the lincoln buzz box. I have not used it much except occasionally for welds with quarter inch steel. I am trying to fabricate a lumber rack for my truck using one and a half and one and a quarter inch square steel tubing. The wall thickness of the tubing is 1/8 inch and 5/64 inch. I have been practicing with small pieces to practice my welds and I am having a terrible time.I am positioning two pieces of the tubing perpindicular to each other and attempting to weld. I am constantly burning through the piece of tubing that has the end cut on it. I am using 3/32 E6013 rod and I have tried between 40-90 amps with no success. When I do burn through the tubing that is end cut, I also have the hardest time filling in the hole.Any help on the technique and rod and amperage on this welding project would be greatly appreciated since I need this rack yesterday.Thanks
Reply:Off the top of my head, it sounds like you're having an arc length problem.  6013 @ around 60-75 amps should work well in your situation, but you need to keep the arc short.You also might be getting into trouble because you are trying to put too much weave onto the pass.As far as filling a hole after blowing thru, that's a technique that takes some learning.  You need to let the weld area cool fully, remove all slag, and then fill with short passes.  It sounds like you've already learned to chase a hole.Another thing that helps fill a hole with a machine like yours is to chop the coating off a piece of rod and lay it over the hole, and then weld the rod into place.  Included slag makes filling a hole a real PITA, so fill slowly, and remove all slag between passes.It just takes some learning.Appreciation Gains You Recognition-
Reply:I think Franz nailed it on the head with the arc length.  I have the same welder, use the same rod, and 90% of my projects are 1", 1 1/2 tube and 2" tube.  I switch back and forth between 75 and 90 amps depending on what day it is and have very little trouble with burn through.  But I have to be careful with the arc length.  You say you you've used it on 1/4".  You won't be able to hold an arc over an area as long as you do on the 1/4" stuff, so remember to keep moving.
Reply:Thanks, Franz and Jim for the replys.When you say a short arc, how short, should I be dragging on the base metal. I am using 3/32 6013. Is that a stick that I can have one pass with the weld or can you recomend another diameter or stick.Also could you recomend any books that are more practical than theoretical concerning stick welding.
Reply:Wale, you want to keep the arc as short as you can without dragging the rod, and still sustain the arc.  6013 is a good rod for what you are doing, and should operate well.It appears to me that your primary need is practice.Appreciation Gains You Recognition-
Reply:I have had trouble with grounding, when I clamp only one of the pieces I have trouble but when I ground both and clamp them close the arc stays consistant. Not to take anything away form Franz or Jim, just a note on the side.
Reply:Whale, I know what you're talking about....I've been there.....so let me add my 2 cents....Don't get discouraged....you can do it !It helps to make sure the metal is fairly clean,  and make sureyou have GOOD fit up !   Try to slightly "favor" the solid side of thejoint, not the cut side, (there's more metal there) !With a 3/32" 6013, I don't think 75 amps is unreasonable.I'll be the LAST one to let you down !
Reply:try to put it in the flat position for as many welds as u can and try a 1/8 or a 5/32 6011