Lincoln AC 225 help....Are my exoectations too high or is this thing need work?

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I got a used but pretty new Lincoln AC 225 (It is a recreation of the ol' buzz box like my grandpa had in the barn). This thing doesn't throw a good arc and it is hard to get it stabilized long enough to create a puddle. I just strike away until it sticks or i damage the flux on the rod. When I manage to stabilize it and create a puddle I can only pull a bead 3 inches before it, well it just dies.I tore it apart and checked the terminals for corrosion but to my suprise it is pretty clean except for a few cobwebs.My rods are right out of the oven and I know they are just fine.The welder I usually use is much larger with a 100% duty cycle and we are using 3/0 cables to the stinger and the ground. This thing throws a pretty and solid arc that is a blast to weld with so I'm wondering... Is this normal for the AC 225 or is mine just being grumpy? Is my setup at work just so much better that I'm spoiled and this is how it is going to be? Any help would be appreciated.
Reply:Yer spoiled!  The first arc I ever struck was with that model welder and I learned to stick weld with a little buzzbox I bought which was similar to that (AIRCO AC225 made by Miller).I remember the first time one of the welders at work back then let me run a rod (7018 vertical up) on a loader bucket with a big lincoln DC welder (R3R 400 IIIRC), it was one of those moments  where I realized I wanted/needed a real DC welder.  Bought the Lincoln AC/DC 250 and it has served me well over the years.Nothing wrong with the buzzbox, my retired neighbour and best friend loves it, still uses it.  My point is I think if you learned on a buzzbox moving up is easy but I think if you learned on a big industrial DC welder, using an AC buzzbox would take a little getting used to.  Also depends on the rods you are using, these buzzboxes have a lower open circuit and arc voltage than the big guys.  6011 and 6013 rods work the best.  7018 will work but are a little hard to get started but weld OK once they get going.  If you are trying to use 7018 this could be your problem."The reason we are here is that we are not all there"SA 200Idealarc TM 300 300MM 200MM 25130a SpoolgunPrecision Tig 375Invertec V350 ProSC-32 CS 12 Wire FeederOxweld/Purox O/AArcAirHypertherm Powermax 85LN25
Reply:How big of rod are you running at how many amps?
Reply:Ill add what Rod in particular...?Lincoln Power MIG 210 MP ( boat anchor )Lincoln Weld-Pac 100 HDHobart IronMan 230Cutmaster 42Jackson NexGenSumner Ultra ClampsDWM120
Reply:Thanks for the input. The rods I used are Lincoln Excalibur 7018 3/32 at 75 amps. I know on my other welder 87 amps is pushing it on these so i tried it at 90 on the buzz box but they don't do well at all at that amperage.
Reply:Originally Posted by MphenicieThanks for the input. The rods I used are Lincoln Excalibur 7018 3/32 at 75 amps. I know on my other welder 87 amps is pushing it on these so i tried it at 90 on the buzz box but they don't do well at all at that amperage.
Reply:Originally Posted by papaharley03It's my understanding that regular 7018 doesn't like AC on small welders, that's why there is now a 7018AC variant. You can get it at Home Depot, or, I got some Hobart 3/32 7018AC at a local Northern Tool.
Reply:Originally Posted by Michaeljp86I may have to get some of the ac 7018. I have a ac/dc hobart welder now but still would rather use that old pencraft.