[bakodiver]

3/32" up to about 1/2" thick material. 1/8 is just too much heat to control for a newbie. The key is to skate quickly across the middle and stuff the rod slightly on each edge. Consistency is key, like a metronome, and that comes with practice. Stuffing the rod on the edges also helps control the rod tip, which can be whippy on a new 3/32 rod. Just means you have to be turned up high enough not to snuff out the arc when you contact on the sides.