i havent welded yet because my rod keeps on sticking to the metal, does this mean i need a different type of rod?

 

nope, you just need to learn how to get it to not stick... it takes practice...

 

More amperage will help keep the arc going, but may result in more spatter. As a beginner, you're often best to run hotter until you get better at holding a steady arc.

 

could it be that im using the wrong rods? i can get a weld going now but only for 3 seconds then it sticks to it! . Any tips for a newb welder would be apreciated.Oh and i bought a used lincoln ac welder 225 (could it be that i bought a bad one?)

 

what rod are you using?
what size rod?
what is your heat set at?
what start technique are you using?

best beginner rod i've found would be a 3/32 E7018 with your amperage set at 90-110 using a scratch start technique.

 

once you start the arc pull the rod back about twice the thickness of the electrode you are working with then drop it back down to about one rod thickness away. dont let it stay stuck on the work to long cause the rod might become hot as ****. if it does let the clamp go.alot of people use E-6011