First Day Welding

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I am a newbie.  I bought a Miller DVI2 and took it to a good friend's shop.  He has been welding since man rubbed sticks to get fire.  He spends 1/2 a day teaching.  Gives me an A+ for first day.  I head home to start my new life as a welder.  Fix the fence, no problem.  Go to fix shooting targets and the welder develops a ball at the end of the wire that drops to the floor and heads to the exit.  It is 1/4 inch mild steel to 1/8th inch mild steel.  0.30 wire with 75/25 mix gas.  I think I was close enough.  I try again, same thing with a small flame coming out of handle.  Help!  I can go back and ask him but I think it is something stupid I am doing.  Any ideas?  This must be a common problem.  Thanks for any help.
Reply:Is there paint on the metal you are welding?  Is it SUPER clean?  Including rust and grease.  That is a likely candidate.
Reply:I used my grinder to clean off both pieces of metal beforehand.  It was shiny clean on both sides.  Now at friends shop it ran on 220 and at home on 110 -- Although the gate welded up just fine.  I can try again tonight and grind the paint further back.
Reply:Perhaps your wire speed and voltage are off.  Is there a chart?DavidReal world weldin.  When I grow up I want to be a tig weldor.