My first TIG welder. HF Arc only. Broken or doing something wrong?

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I am a novice mig welder and have lurked here for a while.  I just picked up an Eastwood TIG 200.  I'm only able to run in on 110v right now, but I'm having a problem.No matter what I try I can only get an HF arc.  Once or twice it sparked up to a full arc, but (I think) that was usually just prior to accidentally touching the tungsten to the steel (DC). I tried with both the foot pedal and the torch trigger.  The small arc (HF?) barely changes regardless of the settings and the amount of pedal.I put a video up to show what it looks like [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sy6fuQISdHA&feature=feedu"]here[/ame].I am using a 3/32 red tungsten on 1/8" wall steel tube with argon gas.Any suggestions/tips are appreciated.
Reply:.  i'm gona go out on the limb-- you may need a different tung for an inverter machine and looks like ya may need to go with 220 volts or go thinner materialcan't tell by the short vid what you have the welder set at  turn up the amps, i say toooo cold need amps to start the puddle tell us all the settings,,, then we can tell ya more of whats going on not bashing  but it could be  the welder try 220 thenidealarc 250/250 ac-dc tigidealarc 250/250 ac-dc tig #2 used for sticklincoln sp100hh125dual arbor grinder polisher30 yrs of hand tools52 pitch blocks 6p-26prake gauge -pitch gaugeG&D prop repair 918-207-6938Hulbert,okla 74441
Reply:Turn the hf to start, not continuous.
Reply:The only settings on this welder are for amps, pre and post flow, and clearance (no HF settings).  I tried the whole range of amps and messed with the clearance (which I don't really understand). Clearance Effect - The Clearance Effect Knob is located at the upper right of the top panel. Clearance Effect will shift the “heat” either to the workpiece or to the Tungsten tip. NOTE: Turning the knob toward “–“ will induce more “heat” resulting in greater penetration to the material being welded while rotating toward the “+” will induce more “heat” to the torch and less penetration to the material. I'm gonna try some 16ga sheet metal this afternoon. Cold weather killed my truck battery, so I'm distracted.Anyway, I know I need to learn a lot and I also need to get on the phone with Eastwood, but I appreciate the quick help here!
Reply:Originally Posted by philshevlin Cold weather killed my truck battery, so I'm distracted.
Reply:Originally Posted by zapster..Winter is not even here YET!..
Reply:go as much heat( amps)  to get a puddle then turn down so no blow thruidealarc 250/250 ac-dc tigidealarc 250/250 ac-dc tig #2 used for sticklincoln sp100hh125dual arbor grinder polisher30 yrs of hand tools52 pitch blocks 6p-26prake gauge -pitch gaugeG&D prop repair 918-207-6938Hulbert,okla 74441
Reply:Originally Posted by philshevlinThe only settings on this welder are for amps, pre and post flow, and clearance (no HF settings).  I tried the whole range of amps and messed with the clearance (which I don't really understand). Clearance Effect - The Clearance Effect Knob is located at the upper right of the top panel. Clearance Effect will shift the “heat” either to the workpiece or to the Tungsten tip. NOTE: Turning the knob toward “–“ will induce more “heat” resulting in greater penetration to the material being welded while rotating toward the “+” will induce more “heat” to the torch and less penetration to the material. !
Reply:for just starting out go to millers site and look at their welding calculators---for a starting point for amps used google sure helps to find things like this tig a lap weld ---100-140 amps corner--85-120---- and so on look it upidealarc 250/250 ac-dc tigidealarc 250/250 ac-dc tig #2 used for sticklincoln sp100hh125dual arbor grinder polisher30 yrs of hand tools52 pitch blocks 6p-26prake gauge -pitch gaugeG&D prop repair 918-207-6938Hulbert,okla 74441
Reply:I finally got it started.  I either had to hold the tungsten a mm away from the work or scratch start it.  I think I need to clean the metal better.
Reply:Grind off a spot for your ground and sharpen your tungsten.My name's not Jim....
Reply:Some welders change the HF from start to continuous when you switch from DC to AC welding. You need to sharpen to a point. inverter TIGs use a sharp tungsten  for both AC and DC. Use a red band or other color, but not green. (Green likes 60HZ AC and balls up real nice.) An Inverter TIG likes a sharp point in both AC and DC. It is always best to match the size of your tungsten to the current range you will be welding at. Turn your gas flow down to 10 scfh. To high of gas flow will keep the tungsten to cold to allow electron flow. You need a sharp point ground toward the tip (not across) So the tip can be heated by the HF to the point where electrons will flow and the arc will start and be stable.
Reply:You might want check the specs for what the HF arc gap should be set to. If I recall it can cause this sort of problem
Reply:Originally Posted by philshevlin2I am a novice mig welder and have lurked here for a while.  I just picked up an Eastwood TIG 200.  I'm only able to run in on 110v right now, but I'm having a problem.No matter what I try I can only get an HF arc.  Once or twice it sparked up to a full arc, but (I think) that was usually just prior to accidentally touching the tungsten to the steel (DC). Any suggestions/tips are appreciated.