My gauge lost its needle a long time ago. I try a bead on some scrap similar to what I am going to weld and adjust it until I get it right. Try different pressures on some scrap. 16 Gauge is thick enough that so its relatively easy to weld. What size wire are you using. I leave .023 in my Hobart 140 and weld from tin up to 1/4" with it. Anything thicker I use a Millermatic 200 with 035 wire.