On Fri, 31 Jul 2020 09:03:54 +0100, Muddymike
wrote:

snip

Ive always thought stick welding was a black art.

Not black art but one of those things where 1) it's much easier using
the right gear 2) in the right position 3) on the right job (to start
with especially) and 4) ideally with a mentor to give you tips re the
approach and what is right (setup wise, rather than what should right.
The books / chart says 60A but in fact on that particular setup you
actually *need* 75A etc).

You've now inspired me
to buy some rods and try out the the electrode holder that came with my
inverter MIG.

At welding class (48 years ago) I think we started with just running
some beads on some flat (clean) steel sheet. Once you have nice
consistent beads (where the flux comes off it big chunks (or one
piece) with one light tap), go for a fillet weld between a couple of
off cuts with a bit of angle ground on each plate to form a 90 Degree
'V'.

If you get it right with a slight raised weld over the base metal and
good penetration you can put it in the vice and see how easy it is to
break the weld open (it shouldn't be of course). ;-)

The good thing about being able to stick weld is with good kit it's
one of the simplest with no gasses, electronics or feed motors etc.
All you really need to do is keep the rods dry (or put them in the
oven for a bit if they do get damp).

Cheers, T i m

p.s. Whilst I could weld (stick / gas) and had my own gear from an
early age, I got loads of good mentoring from a coded welder who
really did make it look so easy. Even welding a h/d pipe overhead in
cramped conditions. ;-)