Spoonman

I can weld and I know what im doing but I have not been properly trained ..

Scratch start worked best when I was first starting to stick weld.

bigvig

Depends too. Ive done a ton of stick welding, and Im having trouble getting the hang of MIG. I did it a few times way back, but I just bought my own set up and Im really having trouble getting the hang of that. Just because you can do one doesnt mean you can do the other. Its just practice, and if you dont have someone right there showing you how to set up, etc., its a LOT harder. Taking a class at a local vo-tech, high school, etc., would be the way to go.

4.3L XJ

Since you are starting from scratch, get some different rod. 6013 is good rod but is not a good beginner rod. Get some 8024, sometimes called jet rod, and use that, It is very easy to use, but not good for structural uses. Very little penetration. Then go to 7024, also not to hard to use. Then try the 6013. When you strike an arc to start, dip and drag at the same time. On the way up don't come up too high. You should have enough amperage to maintain an arc. If you are sticking too much, you have too little amperage. Also try using two hands. 6013 also needs a circular motion to make good welds.

Potatowalker

I'm definitely no expert, but when I was being shown arc/stick welding, one thing that helped me get the hang of maintaining an arc was to cut the sticks in half. That helped me have more control to get used to striking the arc and keeping good distance as I went, starting with it closer. Once I felt good doing that it was easier to adjust to using the full length sticks. The thing that gave me the most trouble was the stupid helmet I was using - it was cheap, uncomfortable, and had a small window so it was really hard to strike an arc properly after flipping it down cuz I was never looking in the right place. I practiced for a good 3 or 4 hours before I was making decent welds, but I had an excellent teacher. Good luck!