Hf start not working

admin

Hey guys, I'm wondering if anyone has any ideas as to why my hf start won't work. I'm new to tig welding and am using a sip p214 machine. It will let me weld if I scratch start but the hf start won't work. It sounds like the hf is trying to start but it won't strike an arc unless I scratch start it. Could anyone help me out? Thank youJames
Reply:There are lots of things that make a "No Start" situation...Dirty tungsten..Dirty Metal..No gas...Bad ground..Hi freq not set correctly..Take your pick.May be just one..May be all....zap!I am not completely insane..Some parts are missing Professional Driver on a closed course....Do not attempt.Just because I'm a  dumbass don't mean that you can be too.So DON'T try any of this **** l do at home.
Reply:Thank you for the speedy reply I've tried regrinding my tungsten but that doesn't seem to work, the steel is also very clean, I've got gas and what I think is a good ground. Sorry if this is a stupid question but how do I go about setting the frequency? James
Reply:My crystal ball is cloudy. What machine am I answering this question for?.No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth! Ronald Reagan
Reply:It's a SIP p214 ac dc inverter tig. I've had a look through my manual but it isn't exactly the most detailed and doesn't mention this at allJames
Reply:Ah, sorry I missed that in the 1st post. With an inverter you probably don't have the ability to adjust the HF like Zap mentioned. Older tranny type machines there is usually a knob that allows you to increase or decrease the HF arc. Usually the instructions tell you to adjust it no more than is required to initiate the arc. Too much and it interferes with radio signals.Inverters work differently..No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth! Ronald Reagan
Reply:Ok that makes sense, I hadn't seen anything to adjust the hf so was worth asking. does this mean that my hf problem has to be one of the other, or all of the possibilities that zap mentioned? If so, I will try eliminating each possibility to see what my problem is. Thank youJames
Reply:Eliminate as many variables as possible. Use a new tungsten, or sharpen the other end if you haven't done so already. I see a lot of students who have these issues and even though they say they ground the tungsten, they didn't clean it well enough.  Same goes for the material. How clean is "clean". I see lots of guys who just wipe down new material and think it's clean, or just hit it with a wire brush. The material needs to be shiny silver, ground with a grinding wheel or sanding pad. Same goes for the ground connection. Connect to the work if possible vs the table.I would not rule out machine issues. Many cheap inverters have a reputation of having failures even if the machines are fairly new..No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth! Ronald Reagan
Reply:Does this machine have an arc gap setting  that is adjustable?
Reply:have you verified that your switch works? does high frequency work in "on" position? i've had multiple high frequency switches fail, where they will work in the off or on position, but not in start only.if it doesn't work in th on position either, bypass the switch and verify that the high frequency is working'14 HTP invertig 221Thermal Arc 201ts'15 HTP 2400'13 Hypertherm Powermax 30Esab 875Esab 251Clark Metal Servicespecializing in stainless steel exhaust systems
Reply:Thank you for the replies guys, I've got it working now. I reground the other end of the tungsten, gave my metal a good clean and moved my ground and it now seems to be working well. Thank you all for your help