Both methods can do a good job, but good stick welding takes some practice, as well as knowledge of which type of rod works best. MIG welding is fairly simple, and the easier of the two to learn. Perhaps your friend can let you try his welder just as a comparison. In any event, good luck with your welding! Practice, practice, practice!

 

Make sure you clamp your parts together before welding. If you don't have a good electrical connection between the 2 parts the arc may favor 1 of the pieces.
The stick should melt on just like putting a stick of butter on hot corn. The gap at the end needs to be constant, so once you get the arc going you need to keep the distance from the end of the rod to the metal at approximately 1/4 inch depending on the thickness of the material and the size welding rod you are using.
The welding rod should make a nice even buzzing sound and not a highly fluctuating crackle.
The idea is to establish a little puddle of molten steel and then move that puddle to the end of where you want the pieces joined.
Make sure you have the right welding rod. There are rods designed for cutting or melting steel. They CANNOT be used to weld with.
As I recall a welding rod with the second to the last digit of the number being a 2 [ie. 7024] has more iron powder in the coating on the rod thus making a smoother finished weld. They do not work as well on dirty metal. You also need to make sure your welding rods will work with the polarity you are using. ie DC+, DC-, AC.
Practice on something first! You aren't gonna be happy with a goobered up weld and it probably won't hold up either.

 

E7018 should penetrate fine. Don't get an electrode that will dig too deep, medium penetration is good enough.

Make sure the ground is clamped on steel with no paint because that will dissrupt the current flow.
If it's sticking too much, turn up the amperage.
What kind of welder did you get??
Some people suggested a MIG welder...you should have gone with it, much easier and plus no slag to chip off.

Make sure their is no gas anywhere and turn off the gas on the ATV because you don't want it to blow in your face.

 

You probably have an AC welder, they are the most common. I recommend using a 3/32-7018 or a 3/32-7014 welding rod. They both do a great job.
A 6011 or 6013 rod is easier to use but the weld doesn't look as well.
Follow everyones advice and practice on scrap first.

 

Thats exactly what they sold me...6013. I am going to keep on practicing but I may call in a professional soon...

 

How big an arc gap are you running?? By this I mean how far does the end of the rod appear to be from the metal being welded. Once you get the arc going, try to keep the gap about 2x the thickness of the rod (the metal part). If you try to push the rod into the puddle of molten metal faster than it melts, the rod will weld itself to the metal rather than welding the 2 pieces of metal together. If the arc is hard to get started, keep turning up the heat, or go to a thinner rod, or both. How much amperage are you running? My guess would be to try about 120 to 140 as a start with a 6013 rod 3/32 or 1/8 thick.
Also practice, practice, practice.
Hint: Call Zorro, have him show you how to weld on a scrap. That way you will know the welder is set up right. If he can set up a Mig, he should be able to figure out your system.

 

Xplor,

practice makes perfect. while working with my dad for eight years we probably burned more 1/8 and 5/32 6011 than any other rod most notably because of the ease of welding virually all steels in any position. the guy that said a 6011 doesn't make a pretty weld never saw my dad in action. with over 47 years of welding experience he could make the most attractive stitch weld with any rod ranging from 3/32 7018 to 3/16 11018. i always asked him to teach me to weld like he could but he always told me that it would be impossible to teach something that can only be learned through experience.

if worst comes to worst, go to a muffler shop they use mig welders and usually don't charge all that much to weld something small.

texascat

 

Problem solved. Hired a guy who drove up to the garage with a huge arc-welder and did the job for me. Tacked everything in place for fit...then welded it all permanentely after. Even added a couple extra brackets on the frame.

Thanks again...my days of welding are over!

 

Try www.harborfreighttool.com for low cost MIG welders. I bought a Lincoln 100 amp flux core welder for about $300.00 at Home Depot earlier this year, so lower cost units are out there.
I have a gas MIG here at the house, and use it to build hunting stands, brackets and all kinds of other parts.
Welding is a learned skill, and takes alot of practice to learn. Practice is essential. Spend time welding, and you'll be able to make all kinds of cool stuff.
Glad to here you got it done.

 

Welding is fun and it can be a very good paying job.
I just took a welding& fabricating class from Sept. to January and wow!!, it was awsome, when I started there I knew nothing and now I know alot about basic welding with MIG welders, ARC welders and I know how to cut on oxy-acetylene torches.
I learned that your welding and cutting techniques get better as you practice them.