Thanks guys, I'll play with my 6013 1/8th rod at 130 amps for awhile. Anything less than 115 amps I can't maintain an arc, it just extinguishes itself. I was running at around 150-160 amps before, but I had a very angry arc, lots of splatter, etc. I think I just need to slow down too -- I'm rushing too much.

I must have around 10 hours of welding experience, and I still haven't "got it". I need to take a class I think.