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Starting an arc
I've owned my PP256 for nearly three years now and just getting around to trying my hand at TIG. While setting up the equipment, (took the regulator from the box for the first time) I discovered the Argon regulator (supplied) leaks like crazy. After disassembly from the tank and inspecting the fittings did I discover cracks in the body radiating from the apparently over tightened fittings from the factory. I didn't bother attempting the warranty as I'm fairly confident it has expired on the accessories. Purchased an after market regulator, set everything up, sharpened me a 3/32, 2% Lanthanated electrode, cleaned up a nice piece of mild steel for practice, and I'm ready to start making crappy beginner welds. Well that's what I thought.....About the best arc I can produce resembles something that the sparkplug on my lawn mower puts out. I tried all kinds of settings, checked for good ground with the clamp, cleaned the metal, no luck. Tried with foot pedal and without, still nothing. Am I missing something? Anybody got any ideas they might offer. I put a letter into customer service a few minutes ago, but I thought I'd also post here. Thanks in advance for taking the time to read this.
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If your machine has the 3 rocker switch that says TIG(HF)/TIG lift/Stick, put it on HF. Then, put tungsten 1/8" from work piece, the press pedal. It should work. If it doesn't, something isn't hooked up right.
Tig lift is scratch start I think..
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It sounds like you are getting high frequency start, but it is not transferring to the main arc. Maybe listing your settings would help?
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A common mistake is having the ground/work clamp negative, instead of positive. Torch should be negative, Work Clamp positive.
ken
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Agree with everything said above, and make sure your gas is on. I was only getting the HF start once checked all the connections like 20 times, cleaned the metal, cleaned the table where the ground clamp is attached and only got the HF. Finally after about an hour realized the gas was not on, opened the valve and was back to welding. I was so mad at myself.
Good luck hopefully its something simple.
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I sent you a reply to your email this morning. Did you get it?
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Eliminate the foot pedal first. Work clamp in + TIG torch in -, gas on and around 14CFH or 8LPM, amps (try 80 as I didn't see steel thickness). DC TIG, HF start, Pulse off. Simple just to test the unit.
Fire the trigger, if you get about an 1/8 of the way to the metal you should see the arc turn on. If this does not happen. Need to call in to tech support.
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Sounds like what my Super200P does when I forget to hook up the ground clamp.
