if you want to use an arc set you can practice yourself on some scrap metal but mig is much easier.
what size are the sets? some of the smaller sets dont have a very long working time so it takes a while to get a simple job done.
Get yourself some decent small rods (prob around 1.6mm)
get a piece of scrap plate and strike the rod as if it were a match but you will need to keep the rod close enough to the metal to keep the arc going (sometimes 2 hands helps but wear welding gloves if you do)
holding the rod at a slight angle allow the rod to feed the weld pool and just try to make a weld about 1-2" long.
let it cool and chip away the black cover to see how it looks. The weld should be smooth and slightly domed but if it looks like a worm then you arent really getting enough penetration (possibly power too low) if it blows through you are either going too slow or power is too high.
Once you have the hang of it then the black stuff almost peels itself off the weld in one piece
at this point take a note of your settings.
Then you can move onto vertical welds etc.
OH AND PLEASE USE A SUITABLE SCREEN/MASK. Arc eye will sting like buggery and usually gets to you around 2-3am and you will be blindly trying to find your way around the house cos it feels like someone is flicking hot sand in your eyes.
