Beyond Frustrating (Stick)

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Last weekend I fab'd up a bunch of industrial strength tomato cages for my wifes garden.    Due to strong crosswinds, her tomato plants and wire cages always get blown over.   I made these new cages with new 3/8" rebar and designed them so there would be 6" stuck into the ground at the 4 corners.To save $$ on welding gas, decided to stick weld the cage frames using an old Lincoln AC225.    A co-worker suggested to use 7014 1/8" rod, but I couldn't find it, so after reading the descriptions on what was available, I bought 6011 1/8" rods.     I decided on that because the packaging refered to it as the most commonly used electrode and that is was good for dirty or rusted metal.    I couldn't get an arc to start to save my life!    Every d*mn time I touch the rod to the work, all I got was a small spark and the f*cking rod was welded to the rebar.  I tried from 90 amps all the way up to 165 amps and the only difference was the size of the single spark.   I tried scratching, scraping swatting and poking and got the same result.     I've used the AC225 a few times before and I know it works fine (it came with a handful of misc unlabeled electrodes).    Needless to say, after an hour and a half of frustration, I switched to MIG and had the project done by dinnertime.I really like having the AC225 as a backup welder, but I've got to figure out how/why I was having such a b*tch of a time with it.    Any ideas?There are no small projects
Reply:I completely understand your frustration, but maybe we can keep some of those words in your garage, please.I had a very similar problem yesterday using 1/8" 6011 from my Maxstar 150STH.  Granted, that's DC, but it took me a few minutes to get back into practice.  After the first several starts/sticks, I must have somehow subconsciously perfected my arc-strikes, because I didn't have any more problems.
Reply:6011 you want to whip it, keep a nice arc lenth on the whip, bring right down to the puddle and whip it out again.  Its a bear, but you will get it   AC does stick a lot more than DC.   ITs not a smooth rod, doesnt give fine lil ripples, nice big spaced ripples IF it Catches...Let it Burn
Reply:I've found that when I haven't touched the stick for a long time I also have the same issues. I've found that if I preheat the start of the joint and the end of the stick a little I have better luck getting started. Once you've been welding things keep themselves warm and it helps keep each subsequent arc strike easier.
Reply:bad ground cable/connection  ...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:I would suggest going back to the basics... like how close was the ground clamp to the work area?  Have you experimented with running a bead on a piece of scrap, horizontally?  I hadn't used 6011 rod for decades, then read on this site about using it when one is too lazy to brush off paint, prior to welding.  I have been using 6013 forever, but grabbed some 6011 last week to do some slightly overhead vertical on the bottom of a small utility trailer that I had tilted backwards by lifting the tongue with my cherry picker.  I was awe-struck by the ease and quality of the flow, bead, and penetration.  Results could not have been better, and my mig is just a bit too small to accomplish what I wanted.  I'm still learning, but have little time left....Last edited by Weldordie; 06-07-2006 at 12:06 AM.
Reply:If you spot it select E 6011 P  The "P" stands for potassium.  it is added to the flux to make the rod easier to use on AC.  When you strike up with this rod hold a ridiculously long arc for about one second before moving into the proper arc length.  This gives the end of the rod time to heat up and the arc to stabilize.
Reply:I gotta agree with the zapster...
Reply:Not on the steel, though. I reckon your stick skills are just a bit rusty, Imagineer. Having never graduated beyond stick, I find my stick skills are pretty good. Of course, I'd be lousy with mig.
Reply:Originally Posted by scott brunsdonNot on the steel, though. I reckon your stick skills are just a bit rusty, Imagineer.