begginer tig prolems

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alright guys i got an older TA 300gtsw yesterday for next to nothing with a bernard water cooler. ill admit tig is very new to me as i have been using gmaw and smaw process. i have a full argon bottle and flow set to 20cfm. im honestly pretty lost on this thing and have read the manual multiple times and still have yet to strike an arc. i have the machine on dc and have tried hf and lift start. im not sure what the middle position of the switch is because there was no manual.  this machine came with a finger control if that helps. i need some advice i feel like a dummy with this thing.
Reply:I saw that machine listed on CL.  I  was thinking about buying it, is it in good shape?  Looks like even if you paid what he was asking you got a great deal.  Just curious but you say you've read the manual, but then say you don't have one???  Why not get a manual?SA-250DLincoln Pro-MIG 140 w/spoolgunVictor Journeyman O/A outfitWP-26, WP-17, WP-9 TIG torches run off my SA-250Metabo grinders and all the other stuff...
Reply:i downloaded the PDF for it. its in pretty good shape, the gun turns out to be bad though, its got an open in the wire. so i got that worked out. you wouldnt be interested in a bernard water cooler would you?
Reply:Break out the plate steel (black iron or stainless)  set polarity to DC-, lift start. With a 2% thoriated tungsten (red tip) in the torch, turn the gas flow on, start making puddles and dabb in some filler rod. You will really like the control and cleanliness of tig welding. I recently started tigging myself and I'm hooked on it now!Last edited by snoeproe; 07-14-2009 at 07:21 PM.JasonLincoln Idealarc 250 stick/tigThermal Dynamics Cutmaster 52Miller Bobcat 250Torchmate CNC tableThermal Arc Hefty 2Ironworkers Local 720
Reply:go out to the Miller site and download the Tig  Book here http://www.millerwelds.com/pdf/gtawbook.pdf it is a great place to start....BrandonLincoln Tombstone 225 A/C Steel StickerOld Victor O2/Acetylene setupMiller Syncrowave 250 Tig/PC-300 PulserMiller Millermatic 212 Mig HTP Invertatig 201 Giant Teck D50 Plasma cutterLots of HF grinders
Reply:thanks everyone for the tips. i checked the continuity from the dinse connector to the collet body and there was none. big OL on the fluke meter. so a new torch fixed it and im good to go. ive got about 8 hours uner the hood now and have a few comments and questions. im having a much easier time on aluminum it seems rather than steel. here is where im at right now as far as problems. i can run a fair bead on flat aluminum and steel and have been doing so in about 8" length to work on my rythem. now when i butt up either two al pieces or two steel coupons, i am having trouble establishing a puddle between the two. same with a t joint. it seems like either side will puddle and by the time i get fusion the bottom is about ready to fall out. should i be circling to get both sides to fuse together? thanks for any help.
Reply:I've found three things to work in getting the puddle to join two pieces.  Dipping the tung (not recomended), having the machine set hot and putting the pedal (or finger switch) down, and the last is adding a tiny dab of filler.  Sometimes just rocking the torch back and forth works too.  I think the arc kinda pushes the puddle around.
Reply:Originally Posted by BoostinjdmI think the arc kinda pushes the puddle around.