Dang, you guys weld with a lot of amps. I don't know that AC requires more amperage than a DC weld, but I burnt up a lot of 3/16ths 6010 rods over the summer and would start burning flux off the rods at 140 amps with a DC welder. If you're having trouble starting an arc, strike the rod like a match, then pull away to about an 1/8th inch and maintain the 1/8th inch for the duration of the weld. Also, working in small semicicles with the open end facing away from the weld and the rod facing towards the weld will push the slag up on top of the weld and the slag will virtually chip itself as it cools. I tell this to everybody who complains about 6010 producing a messy weld. 6011, now that is a messy rod, stay away from it. 6013 is more for sheet metal and probably isn't the best for your purposes. The easiest rod to weld is 7024 because it is a drag rod and requires no arc length be maintained.