Old Century Stick welder issue

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Hello,First, I don't weld for a living but I do quite a bit on the side and with my hobbies.  Unfortunately the guys where I work heard this and I was volunteered to weld up an old broken trailer using a Century 295 AC stick welder. It has a high frequency arc stabilizer unit on top and it even has a tap for a TIG gun.  Anyway, there is no documentation on it but It is very basic.  The problem I was having is while welding the dial (amp setting) would begin to rotate left reducing the amperage as I weld.  Now, the plunger arm was pushed all the way in (which is what locks the dial in place) and when the machine is off or on but not welding you cannot budge the dial. It's tighter than Dick's Hatband.  However, once you start laying a bead it begins to rotate.  Has anyone dealt with this anomoly before.  I'm hoping I'm just missing something simple as I really don't want to take this beast apart since I cannot find any parts manuals or exploded diagrams.  It is a model 110-081 and when I called CenturyTools they sent me to a distributor in Ohio who told me that model never had its own manual nor does it have a parts diagram and listing.If anyone can lead me in a direction I would appreciate it.  It was not fun welding in 100+ heat today with a machine that was slowly reducing your amps as you welded. Michael
Reply:I had a Century in the past similar to the one you speak of it was an ac/dc model with the same knob configuration. There is an adjustment on the plunger assembly there is either a hole in the front of the machine at the bottom for access or you might have to take the cover off I don't remember. Hope this helps.
Reply:Hi Mickael,I have the same machine.  No hf unit on top though.   I purchased it for $100 dollars a couple of months ago.   My plunger locks fine,   but cannot move the lever sometimes until I strike an arc.   I found that it is easier if I leave it on a higher setting.    When you take it apart you will see that the lever moves the xformer back in forth on some plastic slides.   Mine must have sat in a barn or something because wasp built nests inside.    I also found alot of surface rust coating the internal parts.    I am fixing to take it apart one more time.   I plan to take a scotch brite pad to the plastic slides.   At the higher amperage the xformer is center more in the core.  Basically I hit the bottom of my welding table with my rod so I can move it everytime I weld.   It seems to move freely when it finally breaks free.  It is very frustrating.   When you find an answer pm me so I will know!   If you want to part with your HF unit let me know.BrianHH135 MigEverlast PowerUltra 205Century heavy duty 250dc/295ac stickA/O system, victor 450 series gauges w/cutting torch and j100 torch.