One thing to do to improve your stick welding is to keep your rods dry! Humidity will penetrate the rods and make the best welder produce crappy welds. Buy a plastic rod storage holder... Put the rods in an oven and cook them on low for a bit to dry them.
Agree 100%. There are specific type rod ovens and plastic containers out there with rubber seals I used to use when I was working. Damp rod really sucks. The oven might work for flux core too.
Sorry, kinda getting of the rails with this thread.