I'm hoping this is the correct section to ask.

I'm a professional welder and proficient in ALL positions. But the last few days a new problem has arisen that I haven't encountered before.

I'm working with 3/8ths" mild steel plate, G2, G3, and G4 positions. This is SMAW or "stick" welding. I am a perfectionist with the prep-everything beveled 37 degrees, ground like a mirror, and with a 1/8" land. I'm using Lincoln 6010 1/8th" electrode and am spacing 1/8". My problem is we have a bunch of new Lincoln V350-Pro Inverter welders. I like them but I can't seem to get a decent root pass for the life of me. (My only problem is with the root pass.)

They seem to fizzle out about half way into the rod and stop penetrating. I can fire up one of the older Dial Arcs and have no problem. But we are phasing out the older buzz boxes in favor of the newer technology.

I know practice, practice, practice. But I'm hitting my head against the wall. I know it's all about the settings. I've tried everything from 70 to 85 amps, 0 to +5 hot start, and -5 to + 5 arc control. No combination seems to be working for me.

Like I said, I'm not new to this. I can do it great with the older machines but I'm getting really frustrated. If anyone has a clue to what I'm talking about I'd sure appreciate some advice.