I've never had this problem before. The weld is holding to the two base metals very well but the pool of weld just breaks away. Everything is clean, they are new good quality rods, i've tried two different rod sizes and all stages of amps. I've had experience arc welding before so i don't have a problem getting a strike but this is the first time with this machine (Clarke AT100 inverter). Why does the weld hold to the base metals but not to itself?