HELP Me Please (Bought Tig not working)

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Hi guys im completely new to welding. I bought a chicago electric (harbor freight tig) to weld. My problem is the power light turns on when switched on and i checked gas. im getting gas but its not working. I hooked up the argon open bottle put it at 20cf. Connected the argon to the welder. connected the ground cable the tig torch and the gas outlet. Clamped the ground cable. Connected the power increase the amps turn the knob on the tig torch and it doesn't turn red. when placing the torch close to metal doesnt spark. when using filler rod nothing happens. Do i need to scratch start with this welder? What the **** is scratch start? What do you scratch the metal with? sorry ima complete newb but please help meIm assuming its an electrical problem.- The machine sounds really quiet like a humm almost. Im assuming it should be a lot louder and that its not getting enough current. - the house is old 55 years or so. The breaker trips when my mom puts too much kitchen appliances so its pretty weak. the washer and dryer at my house is 110 there is only 1 220 spot thats never been used but im the first to use it. Is it possible that the wires are not big enough to give enough current? I unpluged the 220 connector from the wall and double checked the connection everythign seems fine and wired right. I am a complete newb i never even seen a person weld with mig or tig am I overlooking something?If its an electrical problem will putting in a new breaker fix my problem? would it be safe. would the wires on an old house suffice?can someone help thanks.Last edited by zaziz8; 06-01-2006 at 01:20 AM.
Reply:If there is a valve on the torch, you should hear/feel the gas flowing as soon as you turn the valve, unless your welder has a gas solenoid.  But then you'd also have a remote like a foot pedal or torch amptrol or something.Scratch-start means you have to strike the tungsten ever so slightly against the weldment, like a match, but more softly and briefly.I doubt your welder is that big, so a basic 240V receptacle is likely to be plenty for you.  What numbers are on its breaker/fuse in the panel?Never upgrade a breaker without consulting an electrician.  It's rare that it would need to be replaced, but it does happen.Have you confirmed there is power to the receptacle?  Do you have a tester?Since your new, we'll train you from the start with the right terms, too.  It's a "work cable," not a ground cable, and can be any polarity, based on process.  Yes, "ground" is a popular term, but is a misnomer in this application.Do you have any books or other help?
Reply:i bought the same welder as my first tig. and you don't have to turn the gas valve on the handle on and off there is a postflow sensor in the machine so what you have to do is literally touch the tungsten to the metal then pull it back you'll hear the gas start. and once your done pull the torch away until your arc breaks and youll hear the gass flow for a couple seconds that is the post flow to help keep the metal from getting "sugar" on it.
Reply:I tried the scratch start method. i scratched the same spot more than once with the filler rod. I turned on my machine when i placed the tig torch on the metal when i backed off no arc. tried it multiple times. There is three lights on the welder power, welding, and overheat. The welding light turns on when i touch metal.Im using 1/8 metal and the max on the welder is 1/8 i start on thinner metal. but it still should be able to send some arc right. The welder is sounding so quiet im going to go to someone elses house to check the 220. With the people that have the harbor freight tig how loud does it sound when turned on? mine is so quiet than you can barely hear it. im pretty sure somethings wrong
Reply:make sure you have a good ground. clamp onto the piece your welding if possible. the harbor freight tigs are very finicky when it comes to there ground
Reply:the ground is clamped to the piece im welding. im kind of frustrated im going to try to take the welder and plug it in to see if it sounds different or i will most likely call an electrician to check it out.
Reply:you don't touch the filler rod to the metal to start the arc you touch the tungsten (the little piece of metal sticking out of the torch). here's a step by step. you have the welder plugged in. the gass bottle turned open. open the valve on the torch. now turn on the welders power switch. you should hear some gas come out, about 3 seconds. now you have the piece you want to weld grounded. touch the tungsten to the metal in a motion similiar to striking a match but you don't have to press hard or hit the metal just a small curved motion you bring the torch down as it touches the metal you bring it up again about 1/4 to half an inch. you should have an arc.
Reply:thanks iceman. i feel like a complete idiot but o well lol. im gonna go try it out rite now and respond back.
Reply:well i jus tried it and for some reason the welder power light doesnt turn on and no noise. I uplugged it checked the breaker everything looked good. I plug it back in and saw a spark come out of the outlet :\ maybe the wire inside broke or something happen the house is real old. an electrician coming tomorrow im going to get a bigger breaker and wire proper 220.Last edited by zaziz8; 06-01-2006 at 10:51 PM.
Reply:Be sure you grind a point on your tungsten.DennisThermal Arc 185-TSWMillermatic Challenger 172VictorO/AAtlas Craftsman 12 by 24 LatheEsab PCM-875Wholesalem Tool Mill-Drill