Tig lead problem ( I think)

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I have a Lincoln Precision 185 and have been learning to use , and have been having a problem lately with a very unstable arc. I found what was happening is the when the lead was coiled and where it touched it was arcing across. It also will arc through to the table if it happens to touch it. The arc was stable otherwise and makes a nice bead when the lead is laid out flat and not coiled. Has anyone heard of a simular problem? Do the leads break down?  I did a search here but turned up nothing. Looks like I will be replacing the lead and hose but not sure how to keep it from happening again. I did buy the machine used.  Any thoughts?
Reply:is your lead in a protective sleeve? Mine is like a canvas sleeve that zips up. Do you have that and it is still arcing? or is the lead worn through on the insulation? Are you talking air cooled torch lead?Lincoln Power Mig 210MP MIGLincoln Power Mig 350MP - MIG and Push-PullLincoln TIG 300-300Lincoln Hobby-Weld 110v  Thanks JLAMESCK TIG TORCH, gas diffuser, pyrex cupThermal Dynamics Cutmaster 101My brain
Reply:Joker to answer the question,,No I do not have a canvas sleeve for it, it is air cooled torch. The lead is oem for the unit. Now that you mention it I have seen the sleeves on other machines but did not dawn on me until now why.
Reply:The sleeve just protects the leads from errant sparks and abrasion. if you inspect your lead, can you see any wear spots on it? if you electrical tape up those spots, does the problem persist? If you are getting the problem during high frequency, it could be bleeding through, but if you are getting it during pure DC, I would be surprised. That kind of voltage wouldn't usually arc unless it was a direct short.You didn't say if you were doing aluminum or steel, so I am not sure if you are using high freq constant on or just for starts.Lincoln Power Mig 210MP MIGLincoln Power Mig 350MP - MIG and Push-PullLincoln TIG 300-300Lincoln Hobby-Weld 110v  Thanks JLAMESCK TIG TORCH, gas diffuser, pyrex cupThermal Dynamics Cutmaster 101My brain
Reply:I am welding mild steel on dc, it uses high frequency to start. I wondered if the lead insulation breaks down over time, the machine is not that old (3-4 years?) If the lead does not cross its self or lay on the metal table it works fine. There are a couple of wear spots on the outer cloth braid but the inner core looks fine. I am welding 22 guage for a project and the amp are set at 40, the foot control seems to have full control and I can run the arc down to weld ok, if the lead is not crossing. I am going to try to find a replacement for it but not sure where at this point I don't need a torch but just the lead. Would not hurt to get a protective cover as well.
Reply:I thought the covers were mostly used for water cooled torches to keep all the lines together and neat.Your lead has an outer cloth braid?  It isn't black rubber on the outside of the lead? Should look similar to a rubber fuel line for a car.
Reply:Sounds like some kind of high freq. problem. If it was the real welding current you would have burnt up the lead. Is the high frequency set to "on" or "continuous"? It should be set to start. Check the points?My ground cable has several big holes in it's insulation, and I don't ever get arcing to it. I get zapped occasionally by the high freq. start, but thats only when I am grounded better than the part or have a bad ground connection.Ian TannerKawasaki KX450 and many other fine tools
Reply:Just so you know, my PT 275 does the same thing from time to time and always has.  You can hear it buzzing but not HF arc.  I just shake the cable around and keep on trucking.  They had already replaced one lead for this problem and it didnt fix it.