Stick welding stainless problems

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Hi,Got a very basic stick welder, welds fine on mild steel with 6013 electrodes.  I've just tried to lay a bead down on a piece of 304 Stainless using a 308-17 electrode.I'm having no luck however.  Each time I manage to strike an arc the electrode immediately becomes stuck to the metal I'm welding on, this is with AC.How can I make this work?  It is because I am using -17 electrode instead of -16? (-17 is all my local shop had).  Would adding DC to my welder make it better for this?I have used a stainless brush to clean the electrode tip and the base metal, but it didn't seem to help.Thanks
Reply:The times I've welded SS with SMAW, it was with a DC source. I'm not sure there's a rod meant to run a AC.
Reply:You want the last two numbers to be 16. That is the AC / DC rod.Don’t pay any attention to meI’m just a hobbyist!CarlDynasty 300V350-Pro w/pulseSG Spool gun1937 IdealArc-300PowerArc 200ST3 SA-200sVantage 400
Reply:ive used e308l-16 with no sticking problems. 3/332 says 50-90 amps. dc+ or ac .
Reply:So the -17 electrode is for DC only?
Reply:Just spoke to the store I got the 308-17 electrodes from.  They said they should be fine for AC or DC and that the sticking is because I need to use a bit more current.This is a home made welder from some Microwave Oven transformers.  I'll try winding another transformer and adding it in series with the other 2 to see if that give me enough power.  I've also ordered a bridge rectifier so I can convert it to DC and try that.
Reply:My chart shows the XXX-17 as AC/DCEP.QamuIs Heg qaq law' lorvIs yInqaq puS
Reply:Maybe it's those tiny cables and flimsy clamps you're using...MM350P/Python/Q300MM175/Q300DialarcHFHTP MIG200PowCon300SMHypertherm380ThermalArc185Purox oaF350CrewCab4x4LoadNGo utilitybedBobcat250XMT304/Optima/SpoolmaticSuitcase12RC/Q300Suitcase8RC/Q400Passport/Q300Smith op
Reply:Ok with the McGiver set up, if that's what you are into go ahead and experiment.  Just a hunch but do you think your "welder" might be the problem?If you are serious about welding, buy, rent or borrow a real welder, it will make welding so much easier."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:Originally Posted by BeaksterHi,Got a very basic stick welder, welds fine on mild steel with 6013 electrodes.
Reply:Originally Posted by slowhandWow.  I find this amazing.I'm sure you don't have enough heat.  How much was it putting out with those 6013 rods?  Those rods should burn with less heat than the stainless rods.Good luck
Reply:sweetUA Local 598
Reply:the canadians air-liquide 316 rod runs quite well, i personally run stainless the same heat as i would for 7018, you might want to consider bumping up the heat a little and possibly switching to dc...anyways cool do it yourself welder, keep us posted on it!