stick welding question

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I am newbie and I did my first welds today, they look terrible but i am learning.  I have a few questions.  First the tip of the E6013 AND E6011 rod keep catching on fire? what am i donig wrong?  i am running them both rods at 90 amps on the Lincoln 225AC. The metal i used was from a box spring bed that someone threw out. i don't think that matters to much though.   Second problem i have is burning holes right through the metal.  what am i doing wrong?i will have a lot more questions as i keep practicing but i hope to get better real fast.  Thanks in advance.Share your Knowledge!
Reply:im a newbie too, but in school we have like 3/16 steel pieces  we weld on, and we can melt right threw it if we hold the rod in one place for too long and if the amp is turn up to high
Reply:The size of metal im using blacksheep is what your box spring is made out of.  I'm not sure what gauge that is but is 90 amps too much you think with a E6013 rod .  Take a look at your box spring and let me know what you think. thats a lot.Share your Knowledge!
Reply:it all depends on the diameter of the rod also if your running 1/16 rod its gonna be under 90 amps 1/8 90 amps to 135 or so etc etc
Reply:What is the diameter of E6013 AND E6011 rods?i think the E6011 is 1/8  but what is the amps for the E6013Last edited by googles; 01-16-2005 at 03:09 AM.Share your Knowledge!
Reply:googles,Did the rods you are burning come in a box?  If so, the box should tell you the size.  If it is a Lincoln box then it probably also has a recommended amperage range.If not, the nominal diameter of a welding rod is the diameter of just the steel, not the diameter of the flux on top of the steel.  Measure the rods where you apply them to the rod holder.  Typically available sizes are 1/16, 3/32, and 1/8.  Which do you have?How thick is the bed frame?  1/8 to 3/16?  If so, probably too thin for 1/8 rods.Let us know what you find out.Bill C "The more I learn about welding the more I find there is to learn..."
Reply:Thanks bill, the rod size for the E6013 3/32. so is that too thick for the bed frame? should i be running it lower then 90 amps.Share your Knowledge!
Reply:Start with about 50 or 60 amps.  If your rod sticks you will need to bring it up some.  Try to strike it like a match, and get the tip of the rod "warmed up"  before holding still and starting a puddle.  If you hold to far away, you will burn a hole.  If your too close, you will stick.  Play with the ampreage settings.  You can't hurt anything. by adjusting your amps.  Once you get the feel for how close you can get without sticking, you will be able to keep a puddle running,  then you may have to work the rod back into the puddle to keep from burning through.  Stick with the 6013 rod it's easier to weld with until you get the hang of it.  Then try the 6011.  Good luck.  PS,  I'm not an expert, but I've welded lots of thin stuff, over the years, and burned my fare share of holes through a lot of material, Let it cool, chip off the slag, and go over it again. Sometimes they're not pretty, but they hold.  With practice, and lots of it.  you will get better.Lincoln 225 AC/DC, Hobart 140 Mig. Oxy/propane Victor torch.(2) Makita 5" angle grinders  one with zip disk, 14" chop saw.  and just about every other tool you can think of. Whoever has the most toys when he die's ..... Wins!
Reply:Thanks Packrat.  Thats the info i really needed.  I will put that knowledge you gave me to good use. thanks againShare your Knowledge!
Reply:Hey Packrat,  where in Alberta are you? I am in Camrose.
Reply:I'm in Edson.   Lincoln 225 AC/DC, Hobart 140 Mig. Oxy/propane Victor torch.(2) Makita 5" angle grinders  one with zip disk, 14" chop saw.  and just about every other tool you can think of. Whoever has the most toys when he die's ..... Wins!
Reply:I love the 6013 rod for my thin gauge.  You say you were getting a fire at the tip of your rod?  Well theres not a possiblity thats the paint from your bed frame is there.  As far as burning holes,  numbers mean nothing in welding.  So your amperage range your giving is relatively meaningless.  Its relatively because its just a guidline.  It tells you,  ok start here and go from this point.  If your welding and your buring holes, your way to hot.  If its just totally beading up, its not holding the parts together, your too too cold. But there are other things too.  If your getting undercut, your either too hot or you could be be going too fast or possibly too slow.  With 7018 in particular you will see the puddle wash away and the fill back, but them it will wash out again and wont come back.  If you seem icicles on the backside of your weld,  too hot.  If your getting major warpage, too hot,  or possibly you just need to make shorter welds and skip them around.  Hope this helps...Good luckCHRIS