Stick Welder Questions
 

What do the Hot Start and Arc Force settings do?

My text book doesn't explain them, I don't have access to the manuals, and my instructor has told us to "play with them 'til we get it right". I don't think he knows what they do (as I have asked him repeatedly and he gives the same answer).

I'd like to know what I am "playing with" so I have some idea of how to adjust them.

I would gues that Hot start sets your open circuit voltage, i.e. the voltage on the electrode as you start your arc. Too low a voltage can make the wire 'snub' and stick as you start to weld, which causes you to pull on the rod and lift your mask just in time to get a good blast of arc-eye. Not that I've ever done that.

Arc Force - possibly welder capacitance, which probably changes the shape of the arc.

And lastly: Why learn how to stick weld? Planning on running a farm some day? Mig is far more useful.
Open to dissenting opinions.

I completely agree. I took a welding class at the local community college with that intention. We are more than halfway through the class and all I've learned is oxyacetelene and stick. Unfortunately, the instructor is a contankerous old man who hasn't changed the syllabus in 20 years. I think he likes to concentrate on what is easiest for him to grade. We might get to Tig/Mig if there is enough time at the end of the class. (Did I mention that the course description stresses Mig and Tig and mentions "other forms of welding" in passing?)

I have to speak up for oxy/acet. as a basic learners tool. It's where it all started and it certainly is helpful to understand puddle flow, rod feed rate, value of heat control, etc. Restored my P-car entirely with it. Many experimental airplane builders still use it.

I do however understand your frustration at the 'misleading' course title.

From google search:

Smart Hot Start
Brings the puddle temperature up quickly for good initial penetration. The amount of Hot Start is dependent on the weld puddle temperature. The Workhorse measures the time in between welds. The longer the period between stopping and starting, the greater the Hot Start current. If the arc is broken for less than a second, the Hot Start is eliminated. This prevents the puddle from overheating and burning through.

Arc Force
This allows the operator to adjust the current surge which results when a drop shorts the arc.

http://www.arconweld.com/portable_welding_machines/portable_mig_welders.htm

I think I finally got it dialed-in last night. As we are welding on 1/16" scrap, hot start is not so important (had it on a very low setting).

Arc force was a little more tricky. A "crisp" flame (high arc force setting) helps prevent sticking of the electrode, but results in a crappy-looking weld. I set it as low as I could without the electrode sticky excessively. I went for a setting of 4.2 on a scale of ten.

I also figured out:
1) The electrodes we are using are notorious for sticking. I can't recall the number.
2) The instructor starts up the oven as soon as we walk into the lab. It's better to get electrodes one-at-a-time as each successive one will be drier (and easier to use) than the last. The last class I grabbed 8 while the oven was still cool and had nothing but problems.