Any of you know some tips to arc welding, i can mig weld but i just got my grandpops old arc welder and am trying to learn, im having trouble with the rod freezing to the metal, how close do you hold the rod to the metal your welding?

 

About a 1/4" If you get it to close the slag with mix into your weld making it all porous. Dont just touch the rod to the metal, Instead try sctraching it, sliding it across and then bring it back to your starting point really quick. You also want to keep it at about a 45ish degree angle, and drag the rod. It may also be sticking cuase it is not hot enough. Try turning it up a few amps. Stick welding out of position (anything other than flat 1G) requires skill and practice. I have been in a techinical school for a year and a half now, and ive got it down good. Just practice. It will come to ya. Post some pictures of your beads to sometime

 

^^^what he said and make sure that your rod is dry. Rods that have been sitting out getting moist will not weld as well. You can put them in the oven at a low temp to dry them out.

I know we have a few fabricators on here we should all post up some bead pics. Maybe I'll start a new thread for this.