Why is my Miller 250 Tig acting like a stick???

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I went to Tig some regular cold formed steel with my Tig and it got all weird on me.  it wouldn't start the arc (even with pedal all the way down) until the tungsten touched the steel.  Like a Stick welder.  I have high frequency start on.  What's going on???Thanks,Adam
Reply:Some TIG machines can weld stick aswell with the right (stick) torch. This is detirmined with a setting. You most likely have your machine set on the stick setting.If you take a look at the bottom picture of the welder I work with here: http://weldingweb.com/vbb/showthread.php?t=27581You can see on the top right and left corners of the panel that I can change between either TIG or MMA. Take a look on your machine to see if you have any simular settings.
Reply:Wow!That was a lot of information for us to help you out with.Syncro 250 DX Dynasty 200 DXMM 251 w/30A SG XMT 304 w/714 Feeder & Optima PulserHH187Dialarc 250 AC/DCHypertherm PM 1250Smith, Harris, Victor O/ASmith and Thermco Gas MixersAccess to a full fab shop with CNC Plasma, Water Jet, etc.
Reply:press the stick/tig button.Have we all gone mad?
Reply:Its possible the Hi freq quit working period.  No amount of pressing and setting buttons and controls will correct that if that is the case.Esab Migmaster 250Lincoln SA 200Lincoln Ranger 8Smith Oxy Fuel setupEverlast PowerPlasma 80Everlast Power iMIG 160Everlast Power iMIG 205 Everlast Power iMIG 140EEverlast PowerARC 300Everlast PowerARC 140STEverlast PowerTIG 255EXT
Reply:Then it should still work even if your not touching the metal, you just need to be very close.I think....Have we all gone mad?
Reply:We'll I know I didn't provide a lot of info up front but I thought I would throw it out there first without adding a laundry list of settings etc and see if there was a common problem that behaved like this. I attached a picture of my panel settings.If it is the High Freq start what can I do to confirm that is what it is.  Any test or visual indicatior?Settings:  Spot time-off  crater time--off  amp control-remote  High Freq-start  Arc Control -off AC balance 3Not much else to adjust?  Unless the Tig/Stick button is only visable to those that are enlightened.  And I'm surely not enlightened.  Did you look at my Avatar!Adam, Attached Images
Reply:What kind of tungsten are you using?  How good is the hot restart?www.lindgrensupercars.comMiller Dynasty 350Miller Dynasty 200DX - retiredMiller Millermatic 210Miller Spectrum 3080Miller "Power of Blue" stool  Miller Syncrowave 180SD - retired
Reply:Check the CB on the back- it controls the 120v outlets and the  HFEd Conleyhttp://www.screamingbroccoli.com/MM252MM211 (Sold)Passport Plus & Spool gunLincoln SP135 Plus- (Gone to a good home)Klutch 120v Plasma cutterSO 2020 benderBeer in the fridge
Reply:A bad ground at the work piece will cause this also. If you dip your tungsten in the puddle, it will also cause hard startingFire!, Fire! Oh wait, that's my torch...Lincoln PT-225 TIGLincoln 175 MIG
Reply:First I'd try HF on continuous, might just be that toggle switch.Then I'd try AC, HF continuous.I turned mine on and hit the pedal, on both 'start' and 'continuous', the HF points lit. (under the cover on the right) Both torch and ground were left hanging on the wire reels, turn on, hit pedal. In my case the welder was on DCEN.9-11-2001......We Will Never ForgetRetired desk jockey. Hobby weldor with a little training. Craftsman O/A---Flat, Vert, Ovhd, Horz. Miller Syncrowave 250
Reply:We'll don't know what to say but it is working today.  It works in high freq start and high freq continuous. I haven't done anything different.  When I turn high freq off is when it acts like it did before. When it first happened a ew days ago I flipped the switch a bunch of times incase it was corrosion.  But made no difference.  Today just turn it on and no problem.Is it likely my high freq start is on the fritz?  corrosion?
Reply:Try cleaning the points, but dont do it yet, wait until it plays up againCheers
Reply:Which points?
Reply:Originally Posted by Craig in Denverthe HF points lit. (under the cover on the right)
Reply:I have a 1991  Sync 250, My foot pedal has caused that problem for me-  The carbon brush gets dirty and sticks.  Clean it and should be good.   The other cause can be the foot pedal cord within a few inches of the pedal box- the wires break down from all the flexing.
Reply:Originally Posted by adamb113 ...When I turn high freq off is when it acts like it did before...
Reply:Thanks guys. I haven't had a chance to play with it in a while but I will pull apart the foot pedal, examine cable, and look at points.  Probably this weekend.Thanks,Adam