Welds not bonding

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So i'm going to be starting welding school in January for arc welding, I thought I would get a cheap welder to practice with until then. I got a HF 110v, 70 amp arc welder mainly because I don't have a 220 outlet in my home. My problem with it is the welds i'm doing aren't bonding at all. So i'm wondering is the problem with me or do I just need a bigger welder? I'm welding pretty thin sheets of steel using 1/16th rods. I can run a descent bead but it's just breaking away pretty much instantly. When I try to clean the slag, the whole weld breaks apart. What other 110v stick welders are there out there that don't cost too much?
Reply:Make sure your dcep. and ground has to be very cleanHmm looks like the cables are hardwired. What rod are you using machine is AC.Last edited by phansen39; 09-28-2012 at 08:49 PM.
Reply:1/16th rods
Reply:hf rods 6013 7014 or other? post some pics
Reply:The HF 7014, can't post any pics at the moment cause i'm not sure where my camera is. I'll find it sometime tonight and post some.
Reply:Jeromy_E,1 - most common error is long arcing; get in close and almost drag the electrode across the work piece.  It's better to bump along than risk long arcing.  If you long arc, you get a bright arc but the metal from the electrode is 'sprayed' onto the top of work - you don't get any real fusion and the 'weld' just falls apat.  That was my problem when I started out.2 - 5/64 inch electodes are easier to use than 1/16 inch; you might try that.Note: In my experience, the larger the electrode, the easier to start and to maintain an arc.e.g. 5/32 (160 amps) easier than 1/8 (130 amps) easier than 3/32 (90 amps) easier than 5/64 (70 amps) easier than 1/16 (45 amps).Rick V 1 Airco Heliwelder 3A/DDR3 CTC 70/90 amp Stick/Tig Inverters in Parallel1 Lincoln MIG PAK 151 Oxy-Acet
Reply:You really don't have a 220v outlet? You don't have a dryer or a stove? I used my stove outlet for my first 220 welder. Make an extension cord long enough to reach your welding area.Toss that 70 amp POS in the garbage. It will not do any good.
Reply:Originally Posted by joeftw18You really don't have a 220v outlet? You don't have a dryer or a stove? I used my stove outlet for my first 220 welder. Make an extension cord long enough to reach your welding area.Toss that 70 amp POS in the garbage. It will not do any good.
Reply:Originally Posted by Rick VJeromy_E,1 - most common error is long arcing; get in close and almost drag the electrode across the work piece.  It's better to bump along than risk long arcing.  If you long arc, you get a bright arc but the metal from the electrode is 'sprayed' onto the top of work - you don't get any real fusion and the 'weld' just falls apat.  That was my problem when I started out.2 - 5/64 inch electodes are easier to use than 1/16 inch; you might try that.Note: In my experience, the larger the electrode, the easier to start and to maintain an arc.e.g. 5/32 (160 amps) easier than 1/8 (130 amps) easier than 3/32 (90 amps) easier than 5/64 (70 amps) easier than 1/16 (45 amps).
Reply:I had a miller that size and it worked great with 5/64 7013 and the brand made a difference as well the forney rods were awesome just hard to find
Reply:I picked up a Harbor Freight 80A stick welder recently and while it's certainly limited in the thickness it can do, it works quite well for what it is. Very easy to control the weld, pretty easy even on sheet metal.