325 Arc starting issues, spudders on hi freq.

[gorillam]

I have the fancy 325 tig welder, having arc starting problems. it kind of sputters when using hi freq, then finally catches. Got used to it now, does it since new, but its' really annoying.

It basically just sputters like a missfire on a car. And no it's not me / settings / gasflow / tips / material / or ground.


Anyone know what's wrong with this thing?

[performance]

How can you rule out these settings and stuff without presenting them? I can't tell you the number of times I've heard that from customers over one issue or the other, and then it turned out to be something in the settings or the environment. What settings are you using? When did you purchase it? Foot pedal, or torch switch?

[gorillam]

How can you rule out these settings and stuff without presenting them? I can't tell you the number of times I've heard that from customers over one issue or the other, and then it turned out to be something in the settings or the environment. What settings are you using? When did you purchase it? Foot pedal, or torch switch?

Same problem with any process or settings, will not initiate HF arc very well in DC or AC. regardless of settings. Lift arc seems OK, but not great.

[performance]

Gorilla,
You are acting like we can pull answers out of thin air for you. You want us to "trust" you that you have everything correct. You basically want us to assume things we don't know or have verified. There are things that are on our units that are different from other brands. You know the old adage when you assume don't you? I can't tell you how many times it is the settings and the person said he was very very experienced. I've heard it over and over, and you can find it here if you search, and I can tell you old members who have been here a while knows I am telling the truth. We use the settings to get a grasp of what is going on and how the unit is behaving in relation to them to predict a problem and solution. You basically are refusing to provide the information we need to get a toe hold on this problem. If you are experienced, it should be easy enough to complete a laundry list of settings in a few minutes. Who knows? It might not be the settings or the way you have things configured. Of course you can call tech support and if you don' want to go over the diagnosis procedure, all they'll do is tell you to send it in and give you an RMA.

You even refused to answer any question about purchase date. All information is relevant.

Again, Please provide the following:

Have you cross checked the start with the torch switch in both 2T and 4T settings?
Preflow Time:
Postflow time:
Upslope time:
Downslope time:
With pedal, which Mode: 2T, 4T, Pedal only, or Pedal 2T, Pedal 4T.
Torch is in the Negative? Y/N
Work clamp attached directly to weldment at a shiny point? Y/N
Pure argon or ArHe? Fresh fill or old fill, existing cylinder you've had.
Start amp setting:
End Amp setting:
AC wave form when in use: Better in one wave form or the other.
Pulse? Y/N, Pulse settings. If using pulse in AC, Which pulse in AC
AC frequency setting in AC:
AC balance setting:
Tungsten stick out:
Diameter tungsten:
Max welding amps:
Thickness of metal.
Tungsten type/thickness.
Type of point you are using on tungsten...or ball?
Length of torch?
Running on 1 ph or 3 ph.

[gorillam]

I just found the answer, seems like a pretty common problem with these machines then.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UQoOP9DHJJQ


I had already stated I have the welding experience and qualifications to check all settings and parameters, I am looking for what I can check that is wrong with the MACHINE internals. Found the answer this was the problem.

Maybe you should try trusting people sometime. I know a TON of people here are hobbiest's here, this is just our backup welder in our tig shop.....

Gorilla,
You are acting like we can pull answers out of thin air for you. You want us to "trust" you that you have everything correct. You basically want us to assume things we don't know or have verified. There are things that are on our units that are different from other brands. You know the old adage when you assume don't you? I can't tell you how many times it is the settings and the person said he was very very experienced. I've heard it over and over, and you can find it here if you search, and I can tell you old members who have been here a while knows I am telling the truth. We use the settings to get a grasp of what is going on and how the unit is behaving in relation to them to predict a problem and solution. You basically are refusing to provide the information we need to get a toe hold on this problem. If you are experienced, it should be easy enough to complete a laundry list of settings in a few minutes. Who knows? It might not be the settings or the way you have things configured. Of course you can call tech support and if you don' want to go over the diagnosis procedure, all they'll do is tell you to send it in and give you an RMA.

You even refused to answer any question about purchase date. All information is relevant.

Again, Please provide the following:

Have you cross checked the start with the torch switch in both 2T and 4T settings?
Preflow Time:
Postflow time:
Upslope time:
Downslope time:
With pedal, which Mode: 2T, 4T, Pedal only, or Pedal 2T, Pedal 4T.
Torch is in the Negative? Y/N
Work clamp attached directly to weldment at a shiny point? Y/N
Pure argon or ArHe? Fresh fill or old fill, existing cylinder you've had.
Start amp setting:
End Amp setting:
AC wave form when in use: Better in one wave form or the other.
Pulse? Y/N, Pulse settings. If using pulse in AC, Which pulse in AC
AC frequency setting in AC:
AC balance setting:
Tungsten stick out:
Diameter tungsten:
Max welding amps:
Thickness of metal.
Tungsten type/thickness.
Type of point you are using on tungsten...or ball?
Length of torch?
Running on 1 ph or 3 ph.

[gorillam]

Also half of the items on your list of setting have nothing to do with hi-freq or arc starting issues,

What do the following items have to do with hi freq arc staring as per my questions?
Downlope
Post flow Time
End amp setting
ALready stated problem is in all prcesses
a/c balance - ac freq again already stated does in all processes
tungeston (would have to be insanely wrong to create arc start issues)
pulse - already stated tried all process/settings
max welding amps - nothing to do with arc start
thickness of metal - already stated done since new (guess I should have mentioned problem has been for around 2 years)
type of point, depends on the tungeston / material
length of torch - irrelivent
3 phase

[Rambozo]

I just found the answer, seems like a pretty common problem with these machines then.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UQoOP9DHJJQ


I had already stated I have the welding experience and qualifications to check all settings and parameters, I am looking for what I can check that is wrong with the MACHINE internals. Found the answer this was the problem.

Maybe you should try trusting people sometime. I know a TON of people here are hobbiest's here, this is just our backup welder in our tig shop.....

The new machines don't have HF points. The early machines did often get a point gap issue after being tossed around during shipping. The late model machines do not use points on the HF board as a fix for those earlier issues. At this point there is really not much in the way of user service, except making sure all board interconnect cables are secure (another thing that can loosen in shipping) or swapping out the HF board. One of the main reasons for asking for all your settings is to try to reproduce the problem. These machines are microprocessor controlled, and you may have discovered a bug in the software, because of some setting that is causing the computer to do HF restarts over and over, causing the studdering you mentioned. Since you say it has done this since new, why didn't you send it back and get it warrantied right away? Everlast covers shipping if you have a problem right out of the box, just to take care of bad things that can happen during shipping. People have posted picture of machines that looked like they were dropped out of a plane. Obviously Everlast doesn't have much control over shipping damage, but has a great warranty to cover whatever might go wrong.

[everlastsupport]

I just found the answer, seems like a pretty common problem with these machines then.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UQoOP9DHJJQ


I had already stated I have the welding experience and qualifications to check all settings and parameters, I am looking for what I can check that is wrong with the MACHINE internals. Found the answer this was the problem.

Maybe you should try trusting people sometime. I know a TON of people here are hobbiest's here, this is just our backup welder in our tig shop.....

If you fielded the tech calls here you would be on Mark's side, but point well taken. Man that's an old video . I was the tech that talked to Jody. Back then (2010) it was a bigger issue. No so today.

[rick9345]

Empty questions like this beg a smart answer.

now give the forum some real info on the problem

[gorillam]

Empty questions like this beg a smart answer.

now give the forum some real info on the problem

I have been welding with the tig process for 10 years solid, the high frequency is not starting the arc correctly. Regardless of settings or process DC/AC the arc doesn't start correctly. Never had a problem with any other machines.

Using foot pedal.

It's not an empty question, it's a question in what to check to fix a hi freq arc initiation problem that isn't setting or operator based. What info are you looking for? It's a question that also states all settings / parameters and consumables have already been checked. And we are looking for some assistance in tracking down a mechanical issue with the machine.

[Kempy]

I have the fancy 325 tig welder, having arc starting problems. it kind of sputters when using hi freq, then finally catches. Got used to it now, does it since new, but its' really annoying.

It basically just sputters like a missfire on a car. And no it's not me / settings / gasflow / tips / material / or ground.


Anyone know what's wrong with this thing?

Yes I have have one and it is hard to get it started once the tungsten is warm or hot it work better, my first one was the same the HF is very weak but I like the welder I use it every day welding aluminum I just got use to it. I ordered a new one hopping it is quieter and has the new four fans. As Rambozo said about the Miller HF very nice. I just tried the new Dynasty 400 with a friend who was looking at buying one it just came out replacing the Dynasty 350 and yes it has a nice HF they call it the Blue Lightning - High Frequency Arc Starter very impressive machine makes no noise, all fans and water pump are on demand.