welder just burning through thin stuff

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any advice for how my 225 AC welder burns big ugly holes through bicycle tubing,muffler type metal..even at its lowest 40amp setting.Is it possible to use a different small rod than my 6011/7018's??
Reply:I've done a lot of exhaust work with an old AC buzz box back in the day. If I remember I used the smallest 6013 rod I had, 1/8" maybe? And stitched it together. I had lots of burn through laying a continual bead so I did about 50% of the perimeter, chipped/brushed off the slag moved to another joint and did the other 50% later.MIG has spoiled me since
Reply:1/16" 6013 is about the smallest stick electrode you can get...to my knowledgei ran that once on exhaust tubing on a tight butt joint and didnt have any burn through but it was a little hot still even on the lowest setting i could get it to strike and maintain an arc onif you had a dc stick perhaps you could run the rod a little lower with a smoother arc..and even reverse the polarity
Reply:MUCH appreciation for this information guys!!!
Reply:With thin gauge ... Mig or Flux core is much easier esp for a beginner like me. I could not even maintian a arc with stick, but could make great beads with flux core
Reply:I've managed to do thin stuff with my stick welder by pulling the rod back as far as I can as soon as the arc is struck. It produces more spatter and isn't pretty, but the welds have held.Scott
Reply:I've managed to do thin stuff with my stick welder by pulling the rod back as far as I can ===Excellent, Excellent!..keep'n coming!!
Reply:Mig or Flux core is much easier ==========are you saying a mig/flux "Welder", or a rod choice?sorry for my daft-ness!
Reply:he's refering to a 110V mig..that runs fluxcore wire..you can get'em for cheap$$$...zap!I am not completely insane..Some parts are missing Professional Driver on a closed course....Do not attempt.Just because I'm a  dumbass don't mean that you can be too.So DON'T try any of this **** l do at home.
Reply:Believe it or not pulling back on the rod actually puts more heat into the work. Stick with welding shorter sections of bead if you are experiencing burn through and use 6013 to keep the heat down; 6011 is designed for penetration and will contribute to burn through. Lincoln has a guide to their line of rods you might find helpful:http://www.mylincolnelectric.com/Catalog/consumableseries.asp?browse=104|2030|Good luck!If you don't have the time to do it right, then you definitely don't have the time to do it over.
Reply:gotta love this forum!
Reply:You may have to do just a lot of spot welding to keep from burning through.  Work at a couple of different places to keep the heat down. Spot weld turn - spot weld turn.  Chip flux off and keep going.  At the end of it all - grind & flap disc for a nice look.Here in the Great White NorthMosquitoes can't fly at 40 below