Scratch start TIG problems

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I have alot of welding experience but minimal TIG experience. Can TIG stainless with a normal shop machine fine, but need to learn to use a scratch start suitcase machine for on site repairs. Problem I am having is I am screwing up the tungsten when I start the arc and then the arc jumps all over inside the cup so I cant get a bead to form at all. I have touched the tungsten to the steel accidentally with a normal machine without this happening so bad so maybe there is another problem? Any help appreciated! I HAVE to learn this! Thanks guys.
Reply:Post more information, what type of machine, what are the settings and material type.
Reply:Scratch start tig is as easy as it gets as far as tig welding.DC- polarity, right?Your tig torch has a gas valve to turn the argon on/off, correct?What tungsten are you using? Is it clean and sharp?Suitcase machine? You should be using a DC stick welder type of machine for scratch start tig welding.Last edited by snoeproe; 09-28-2012 at 09:39 PM.JasonLincoln Idealarc 250 stick/tigThermal Dynamics Cutmaster 52Miller Bobcat 250Torchmate CNC tableThermal Arc Hefty 2Ironworkers Local 720
Reply:Check your polarity. If its backwards the arc will jump around and screw up your tungsten58 sa 200 code 355581 sa 20093 big blue 251dBobcat 225millermatic 210Hobart cybertigHypertherm 1250Lazy a** blue pit
Reply:I do believe its a Thermal Arc 95.. I honestly cant say for sure cause I didnt pay much attention. It only has 3 settings.. 2 ARC settings and 1 TIG setting. From what I understand these machines are DC only. Not sure of what tungsten is in it.. whatever the last guy used. Unfortunatly hes not around to ask any questions.. Tungsten is sharp. I was told of a better way to sharpen it on a belt sander.. cant try till monday. Im welding about 10-16 gauge stainless. (cleaned well with a wire wheel) I had my heat setting about 20 but that coulda been wrong an cant tell till I get a consistant arc anyway. Yes it jumps and burns the tungsten like its on the wrong polarity but like i said Im pretty sure its a DC only machine..and Yes the torch does have a gas valve on it and im running pure argon. hope that helps yall help me! Thank you.
Reply:If i remember correctly the ground cable should be in the right side if you are looking at the front of the machine. You have to set the switch on the front panel to lift tig. Then you should be ready to go. Do you have good gas flow at the torch?
Reply:Here is the link for the manual for a TA 95 http://victortechnologies.com/IM_Upl...6)_Nov2010.pdf
Reply:O yeah and the only thing my shop uses TIG welders for is SS so even a dummy like me cant mix up an use tungsten for aluminum or somethin lol Like I said im a rookie tig welder.. only done it a hand full of times since I learned it almost 10 yrs ago.. but with my vast experience in other forms of welding I understand puddle control really good so my tig welds turn out good. Just need to learn setup and machines and trouble shooting. I will have to do it all by myself in the field!
Reply:Originally Posted by leightrepairsIf i remember correctly the ground cable should be in the right side if you are looking at the front of the machine. You have to set the switch on the front panel to lift tig. Then you should be ready to go. Do you have good gas flow at the torch?
Reply:Originally Posted by leightrepairsHere is the link for the manual for a TA 95 http://victortechnologies.com/IM_Upl...6)_Nov2010.pdf
Reply:Originally Posted by leightrepairsHere is the link for the manual for a TA 95 http://victortechnologies.com/IM_Upl...6)_Nov2010.pdf
Reply:Try it with the torch in the neg and the ground in the pos. This will give the work more heat and the torch less.58 sa 200 code 355581 sa 20093 big blue 251dBobcat 225millermatic 210Hobart cybertigHypertherm 1250Lazy a** blue pit
Reply:Originally Posted by dirtbobberTry it with the torch in the neg and the ground in the pos. This will give the work more heat and the torch less.
Reply:Gas flow should be read in CFH, and you shouldn't need 40 unless you have the tungsten stuck waaay out past the cup.  Try 15'ish.
Reply:You should have the torch in the negative and the ground in the positive(DCEN) for tig welding stainless.
Reply:Originally Posted by dirtbobberTry it with the torch in the neg and the ground in the pos. This will give the work more heat and the torch less.
Reply:O wow that seemed like such an obvious one I didnt think I coulda messed it up lol But I been wrong befor an I will be wrong again  Deffinatly have a better understanding of what I need to be doin now when i get in on monday.. Thanks guys!
Reply:It is a Lincoln Invetech V-155 machine and putting the torch in the negative and ground in the positive fixed the problem. thanx guys