OT: Stick welding, 2nd welding question of the day Options

[lapuwali]

So, I have a cheap stick welder that basically fell into my lap for free, and I've tried to fool around with it, but I can't seem to figure out exactly what you do to make this work.

As soon as I get the electrode anywhere near the workpiece, it gets magnetically attracted to the work and sticks to it. I have to yank it off and try again. Holding the electrode close enough to the work to get an arc, yet far enough that it doesn't grab hold, has proven pretty much impossible after a couple of hours of practice. I have yet to run a single weld bead with the thing, just a series of blackened spots on test bits.

What's the trick?

NOTE: I'm not advocating anyone use a stick welder for anything car related, I'm just wondering how anyone could use one of these things at all.

[TimT]

what size electrode? what class?

how many amps?

When I learned to stickweld I used two hands. almost a "pool cue bridge" type of setup. Striking the arc, and pulling back to maintain the arc, while moving the puddle and feeding the filler all at he same time takes some getting used to.

A minute movement of your wrist equals a large movement of the welding rod.