new to stick welding

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I have had limited mig welding experience but do not have a mig welder. I do mobile automotive mechanical work and would like to learn at least stick welding.I have seen videos of the various examples of stick welding and it does not look that bad to do.  I would like to stick weld exhaust systems. I would also like to stick weld thin steel around 1/16 inch thick. I do not have a stick welding machine and have two batteries that could be used. What are the rod requirements needed to weld different thicknesses of mild steel  with 24 from two heavy batteries?
Reply:Tig welding looks pretty easy on videos.  Michael Jordan makes basketball look pretty easy.  Tiger Woods makes long putts look easy.  The point is, a professional can make difficult tasks look easy.  This doesn't necessarily mean the task being observed IS easy.  Me thinks you need a real welder and a lot of practice before your dream of welding exhaust systems becomes reality.  I would abandon the battery idea.
Reply:Originally Posted by joedirt1966Tig welding looks pretty easy on videos.  Michael Jordan makes basketball look pretty easy.  Tiger Woods makes long putts look easy.  The point is, a professional can make difficult tasks look easy.  This doesn't necessarily mean the task being observed IS easy.  Me thinks you need a real welder and a lot of practice before your dream of welding exhaust systems becomes reality.  I would abandon the battery idea.
Reply:Stay with mig or tig to weld the exhaust and even the 1/16 metal. I would acetylene weld the exhaust before trying to stick weld it. Not that it can't be done with stick, but with no experince with stick welding you will quickly learn how hard it is to weld that thin of material.I don't want to discourage you from learning to weld with stick, but start with thicker material until you get the hang of it. I'm with joedirt1966, abandon the battery idea, and get aleast a cracker box.
Reply:But wouldn't the battery be the pure DC everyone brags about? What does a regular car battery put out into nearly a dead short.  200A? 300A?  How do you plan to control the current down to something more reasonable?  Using 300A on your sheet metal will go something like this:  KAPOW! "Hey where'd that big hole come from?"The cracker box (aka tombstone, aka Lincoln AC225) can be bought new around $260.  This model welder has probably repaired more tractors and plows than any other model.  This model has a selector switch which will allow you to control the current in coarse ranges.  It's cheap, it's nearly indestructable, but it's not refined.  I don't know how well it will do thin stuff. I've never tried since I have better machines available.  Even with the limitations on this machine, I would still recommend it as a good start for someone who wants to stick weld, but doesn't have much money to buy equipment.  Used ones can be found around $100. That might even be cheaper than your two batteries!Dynasty200DX w/coolmate1MM210MM VintageESAB miniarc161ltsLincoln AC225Victor O/A, Smith AW1ACutmaster 81IR 2475N7.5FPRage3Jancy USA1019" SBAEAD-200LE
Reply:Here's my try at it.  Not with batteries but with an AC/DC stick welder.Stick Welding Exhaust