Hello Adrian,

I was a welder by trade for about 10 years, plus I pro-streeted a
'84 camaro a few years back {with a small A/C buzz box}. I would like to share with you my honest opinion on what I would do if in your shoes. I agree and disagree with some of the above info, but again this is just MY opinion. If you asked 10 different good welders these same questions you certainly would'nt get 10 identical answers. So anyway...... I'd use 3/32 rod as once you get going having TOO much heat is going to be more of a problem for you than 'not hot enough' {with small pipe like you have}. If it sticks then turn the machine up &/or try holding the end of the rod {an inch or two up from the arc} with your left hand, to guide it for more control}. Plus the smaller the rod, the easier it is to weld and the better it'll look {when learning. Although if you learn with large rod, then small rod is a piece of cake}. Use the amp
settings that welding books & other welders give you as just a guide {speaking of books, get a basic welding book, it'll help you}. Go up or down from there. Different machines can register differently. Once you've been welding for years the type of rod you use isn't going to matter much but at first stick to 'what the book says'. Different rods require different techniques {spelled wrong?}. 6011 is a good all position rod {so is 6010, although it is DC rod}. I don't know how to spell it but you osillate with it {go up & back, going into and out of your puddle}. 6012 & 6013 you just go straight ahead {according to the book, after awhile most welders develope there own style}. 6012 & 6013 is more of a sheet metal rod.Practice on flat stock first. In the flat position, then go to horz., then vertical, then overhead. I'm not trying to discourage you but pipe is the hardest to weld, and the smaller the pipe the harder. And what you have is considered small, without a doubt. so your starting out trying to weld the hardest there is. PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE!!!.... grind a bevel on both pieces of pipe where they meet, leaving a small gap if necessary. Start out on practice pieces that are short enough so you can see if your getting penitration. When possible you might try to 'roll' the pipe so that its always in the flat position.
Clean up the welds before you start out with a new rod. A small grinder with a wire brush is really helpful. It's also easier to use a new rod each time you start {although expensive cuz it wastes rod .Oh yeah, a class at your local college is an excellent idea {thats where I started}. But, just keep practicing, YOU CAN DO IT! {oh yeah, as mentioned above, arc welding is not NHRA legal, so if you have to go through any tech. inspections check it out}.
Hope this helps... Bill.....