Hi Rugg,
Arc wonder is also called Arc Blow. Please see http://archive.metalformingmagazine.com/2001/05/Lincoln.pdf
- You can try to maintain the arc length as short as possible to eliminate this problem.
By the way, check your shield screen. Use #9 shield screen for stick welding so you can see the arc, pool, and seam very well. #10 and up are for mig and flux-cored welding. Hope it helps.
Regards,
Gong