pp256 tig help

[jede76]

i got my new pp256 on monday. so far i have severed 1"plate with the plasma cutter so i was impressed with that. i used the stick, welded some test beads on some 1/4" plate with 1/8" 7018, the welds were beautiful. my problem is in tig mode ac or dc i can't get the arc to start, it just jumps from the tungsten to the metal and never starts.

thanks
Jimmy

[zoama]

i got my new pp256 on monday. so far i have severed 1"plate with the plasma cutter so i was impressed with that. i used the stick, welded some test beads on some 1/4" plate with 1/8" 7018, the welds were beautiful. my problem is in tig mode ac or dc i can't get the arc to start, it just jumps from the tungsten to the metal and never starts.

thanks
Jimmy

What size tungsten ?
Are you using the pedal ?
What material are you welding ?
What are your settings ?

[jede76]

i've tried 3/32 red and 3/32 orange
i've tried the pedal and the thumb control
i've tried 1/8"x1" 4043 alum and 1/8"x1" mild steel
i've tried adjusting different settings with no luck

[zoama]

i've tried 3/32 red and 3/32 orange
i've tried the pedal and the thumb control
i've tried 1/8"x1" 4043 alum and 1/8"x1" mild steel
i've tried adjusting different settings with no luck

Torch is in the negative connector on the bottom right correct ?

[jede76]

yep its in negative connector
in ac it does nothing but bounce the arc with no penetration on the aluminum
in dc on mild steel it will start the arc but just burns the tungsten up

[zoama]

You'll need to call tech support at 877-755-9353. You might get one of them today, if not call monday-friday. Welcome to the forum and don't forget to join the contest http://www.everlastgenerators.com/fo...1-March-3-2012

[jede76]

i sent Ray a email last night, he said it could be the points but that hasn't been a problem lately. he said it could be the gas out of adjustment . i checked the gas it was fine and did what he said, still no luck. i guess i will have to call tomorrow when i get a chance.

[performance]

You either have 1) No gas flow 2) Wrong gas or 3) contaminated gas.

[jede76]

i've used the same bottle of pure argon on my mig with no problems

[parkour]

Mig is less sensitive to the gas type, and indeed will work with a wider range of gasses than will tig.
C25 (25% CO2, 75% Argon) is very effective and commonly used with mig.
The CO2 content makes it completely unsuitable for use with tig, as the CO2 will oxidize the tungsten as you have described "burns the tungsten up". If you purchased the gas for your mig, it is very likely that it is C25 and not straight argon.

[performance]

MIG doesn't typically use pure argon. It uses a mixed gas of Ar/CO2. Any problems IF you were using contaminated gas would not show anything at all.

[jede76]

MIG doesn't typically use pure argon. It uses a mixed gas of Ar/CO2. Any problems IF you were using contaminated gas would not show anything at all.

when you are mig welding aluminum you use pure argon

[jede76]

Mig is less sensitive to the gas type, and indeed will work with a wider range of gasses than will tig.
C25 (25% CO2, 75% Argon) is very effective and commonly used with mig.
The CO2 content makes it completely unsuitable for use with tig, as the CO2 will oxidize the tungsten as you have described "burns the tungsten up". If you purchased the gas for your mig, it is very likely that it is C25 and not straight argon.

When i was trying to dc tig mild steel i was using argon with no luck then tried 75/25 with no luck.

[parkour]

So you had the same results with pure argon as with 75/25?

[performance]

Jede,
You have contaminated gas or no or low gas flow. Are you sure you have the gas line hooked up and not the water line to the gas connection? What is your gas flow rate?
These are the only things IF your polarity is indeed with the torch in the negative,(outside of some freak and not yet seen welder issue) that can cause the tungsten to consume quickly.
75/25 WILL blow your tungsten up rapidly no doubt.

IF you have a breeze or the welder mounted next to the weld, then this can cause a lack of shielding and cause it, which goes back to the gas issue.

[jede76]

I'm wondering if i have the same problem with my regulater that sleepy had, could this be my problem.

[performance]

If your ball is floating while the unit is the torch is activated, it isn't the problem. You can turn the regulator up to 15 or so, and you should here the gas flowing when you bump the pedal or the torch switch if your post flow is turned up. If not, then it could be the problem. Or it could be a solenoid issue. Put it up close to your ear (with your finger off the switch or your foot off the pedal). You should hear the gas flowing.

[jede76]

If your ball is floating while the unit is the torch is activated, it isn't the problem. You can turn the regulator up to 15 or so, and you should here the gas flowing when you bump the pedal or the torch switch if your post flow is turned up. If not, then it could be the problem. Or it could be a solenoid issue. Put it up close to your ear (with your finger off the switch or your foot off the pedal). You should hear the gas flowing.

i went out tonight and messed with the flowmeter , the ball goes up when i press the pedal but i'm not feeling or hearing any gas coming out.

[performance]

My guess would be you have one of the water lines of your torch hooked to the gas.

[jede76]

My guess would be you have one of the water lines of your torch hooked to the gas.

on the tig torch there is 3 hoses one with the connecter , two without. i have the one with the connector plugged in to the gas port . but after looking at the two hoses without the connecter one says "ar" one says"w". I'm taking that the connecter was put on the wrong hose. Am i correct.