Apologies for the numerous grammatical errors. Using my thumbs on my phone and didn’t see them for correcting.

Ok so, I changed to AC and bumped the amps to 65 or so. There is still a little porosity but not as bad as it was before. Still sticking a lot whic I think is indicative of low amps but I don’t eat to burn through. I appreciate all your help. I will post a pic of the final product.

Are you getting porosity only on the last weld that is sealing up the tube? Oil contamination will also cause holes like that. . I didn’t use acetone to clean it but I tried to make sure it was bright shiny metal. Just clarify though, this was scrap metal from my neighbor. Maybe there was something...

Ok here is a pic of a little porosity and yes, under cut. Also a pic of the thickness. I believe it it just over 1/16”

Farm welding, I will get some pictures when I get home. As I said in my original post, these are brand new electrodea so I have no idea what their exposure has been. I bought them at Lowe’s so anything is possible.

Thanks for the prompt reply Dave. I appreciate the information and will make the changes. I move the amperage down due to the fact that I kept blowing through this material is less than 1/8 inch thick so I was trying to keep from blowing through. I will adjust my technique and try it with the higher...

These are Lincoln Electric 7018 AC-RSP electrodes by the way. Refers to the pic for more clarity.

Trying to build a desk for my wife. Getting a lot of porosity and don’t know why. On my ranger 10000, the amps are set to 90 and the dial all the way to just above five. These are new off the shelf electrodes. I am holding a tight arc and good to me travel speed. I also have a bad wrack to it. All t...

Coldman, I would like to learn and attempt to master Stick, Mig and Tig. I feel as you do, the more diverse you can become in welding the more marketable you can become. I guess that goes for all kinds of applications in life. I would actually like to outfit my personal rig with all three processes ...

I appreciate the responses guys. Eight years of my time is military and the remainder is still in uniform at a federal capacity. I wouldn't say in great shape, but I'm not a fat bag of crap either. Coldman, I have no issues with paying my dues in the trenches for sure. It feels like I've been doing ...

I will be 50 by the time I hope to begin my welding aspirations. I am not a used up 50, so I feel fortunate. As of right now, I am still more than full time employed by Uncle Sam and have a couple of years left till retirement (when I turn 50) and after 30 years of my life, am ready to do what I wan...

I appreciate the words of encouragement. Don't have a lot of time to practice so it'll take a while... Still working at it though, what little I have done I really enjoy.

Thanks for the welcome. I look forward to learning from you veteran welders. I will stick to stick welding for now then learn the other methods. I want to perfect the basics first.

...You didn't mention my shatty welds, what do you think? A first go with a new machine on unknown metal with unknown brand rods? I didn't think any comment would be meaningful, beyond knowing everything seems to work as it should. Get a little practice, get used to setting the machine, get known m...

Welcome, Gary, What an awesome deal! I'd have begged, borrowed, and maybe even stolen to raise the funds for that purchase. Did they treat the fuel and/or drain it, or did you have to go through the fuel system before getting it up and going? Either way, you're a Craigslist hall of fame candidate i...

Just wanted to introduce my self. I am new to the forum and welding in general. I have always wanted to learn to weld but life gets carried away and here I am in the early stages of middle age starting to teach myself, with a lot of you tube assistance. I shopped and shopped for many months for a we...