MOSFET Driver - pn2222, 12v enough?

so have logic level mosfet's on order, should here middle of week next week.. happened near radio shack today, went in , got mosfet carry.. irf510.  by reading it, thought (as learn) vgs of 5v plenty.  after reading on net , here, understand that's minimum threshold, not full on.  5v compatible wanted, , isn't.  crap.

so, have bunch of pn2222, put 1k base arduino, collector 12v (common ground), , emitter gate of mosfet.  the mosfet drain taking ground side of led array drawing 3 amps @ 12v (current regulated), , source ground.  i've got 470k resistor between gate , ground bleed off charge.  when meter it, pn2222 puts out solid ten volts plus emitter.

i can't seem mosfet turn on given setup, gives?  when meter it, pn2222 feeding gate on ten volts.. more enough turn on.. getting dim output. i've added resistor drop 12v going collector, bringing emitter voltage around 8v.  still no dice.  if short source , drain, array on, through mosfet, it's reduced.

thoughts?  am missing something? (likely).  stands, mosfet gets hot, , isn't doing half job darlington pair did without getting little warm... i'm guessing there's kind of aspect of mosfet i'm not understanding..

it not make sense gate getting 10v. sure?

with 5v arduino coming pn2222 base, emitter should @ 4.3v...it won't 10v in theory. explain why mosfet not turning on fully.

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