Can I do this... need some help

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I have an xmt304 cc/cv.  I want to tig but I don't want the gas valve on the torch... the xmt 304 doesn't have a solenoid.  My question is, what can I do?I've done a search on this site but failed to get any valuable info.What I did get was that there is this thing, its in the back of a miller catalogue, its called a 'Process Selector Control' or 'Switch'.  I can't find any useful info on this thing.  I am aware that it is used to eliminate the need to swap leads when switching processes.  But I have heard that it also has a solenoid in it which would allow me to use in conjunction with my xmt so I wouldn't need a valve on the torch.  Does this machine have a solenoid so that I can do this?  Are there different models with and without solenoids?  The reason I ask is because for some reason I find used ones for sale that are around $800 and then I'll find a few for less than $100.  And its either or.  I haven't seen any in between.  I have done a search on millers site and found the manual but no indication of a solenoid.Can anyone help me?  This has been driving me crazy, all I want is to use my xmt in tig mode with a solenoid some how.  Thank you.
Reply:And I just got a response when I asked the seller of one of these about it.  I asked if it had a solenoid, here is what he had to say..."Dear Ray -Thanks for the email. The selector switches we have do have a solenoid on them - it was added as part of a package our customer bought from us to use with XMT456 welders. The solenoids weren't part of the standard control, but we did add them so they're part of the item."...and its $89.  BUT, I got a price for a new one today and it was $850!!   What is the catch??  What are the new ones made of?  Gold?  Or am I buying one from Nigeria?Last edited by 66mynd; 03-11-2010 at 12:10 AM.
Reply:Steve (7A749 here) can give you the skinny on the process selector. He's got one he uses. I also believe there are a few other posible options. I think the high frequency box will also add the gas solenoiod from what Steve and I have talked about. There may be some other add ons that will do that too. I'll probably look at one when I get an XMT in the future.I forget what he picked his selector up for. He'd have a good idea on used prices for that sort of stuff and why some might be cheaper than others. The one thing I've seen with many Ebay items is that the price won't climb till the last few minutes. It may be $89 now, but may sell for $750 when it's all over. Also I've seen several things on CL at stupid low prices. Often the seller really has no idea what it is or what it's for. It came as part of a set they grabbed at auction or from some place going out of business, and all they want is to get back some money they spent by selling any parts they don't need..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:I might have tried to contact 7A749 cause I think it was his welding cart I saw on this site when I did a search for the process selector.  Look forward to hearing what he thinks.  Yea I get what your saying about why it might be sold so cheap.  The ebay one is buy it now.  Just want to make sure I know what I'm getting.  Now I'm wondering whats the deal with the high freq box... wonder how that compares.  Ok thanks   -Ray
Reply:Originally Posted by 7A749Yeah, the switch is legit. At least if you're buying it from Sutton Garten. They did indeed install the solenoids on them as well.Pat is the guy to deal with there. Look them up online & call direct for the best price. They are entirely reputable & will be fair with you. I bought two & got them for around that price. New, they are outrageous at full retail, but he was offing these for cheap. They work quite nicely & for the money you can't go wrong. Setup is pretty easy, just follow the diagram on the inside of the door on the back of the unit.As far as an HF starter box goes, only having DC current to weld with I wouldn't waste the money on one. The lift arc function works fine when you get used to it. If Pat didn't happen to have any more, I will probably part with the spare one I have at some point.Good luck.
Reply:Oh and I was gonna ask... I don't know much about the need for pre-flow and post-flow but is that something that will be lacking with a manually installed solenoid?  And if so does it really matter?  Ok thanks.
Reply:it really matterspreflow is brief, just  so the gas can displace any air in the hose. postflow can be 10 seconds or more to keep the shield gas on the hot metal after the arc is out