[Porchdog]

Code manager at work, hobby welder at home.

I have a 110V Snap-on gas mig and 220V Miller trailblazer (AC/DC) at home. At work we have everything. The shop guys mostly run TIG/Flux core gas. Road guys mostly weld Tig, hard wire mig and Stick.

For heavier stuff I always switch to stick even though my skills aren't the best. It's just to hard to get the penetration with 110V.

As stated above run your roots with 6010/11. Grind the root pass as necessary to have a great surface before you run over it - you can't burn flux out of the way. If you are running 7018 or other low hydrogen rods they need to be dry. It helps a lot with the 70 series if the joint is warm when you start.

Lincoln rods are fairly easy to find and high quality - which means easier to run. Hobart rods are easy to find but I think they are junk. The same thing with Mig wire - find some Lincoln or other quality wire and you will find it easier to lay in good welds.