Problems with lift arc

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I just bought a brand new lincoln v-205-t ac/dc and finally accumulated all the tig parts and ran a 220 in my garage and set the machine up for lift arc (because I haven't accumulated a amptrol yet because I don't feel spending $300 on a foot pedal right now). I can't seem to get an arc on any tig setting with lift arc, just wondering if anyone has had this problem.The owner manual says you can buy an "arc start switch" to use the panel amperage, is this for lift arc?I've used lift arc on multiple millers (new dynasty old maxstars) at work and there was never an extra switch required which is why I find this hard to believe unless lincoln just wants to sell more junk to me.Any ideas?
Reply:I have this machine. The factory default setting is HF start. Take a look at the instruction manual, you should change the parameter #10, from 0 (HF start factory setting) to 1 (touch start).About the remote control, you can make it, there are some posts about this, and save the money. I did this, and works OK.Hope this helpMauricio
Reply:I changed all the settings just a the manual describes and I get nothing. have you used the lift arc without any sort of switch successfully?
Reply:I have NEVER had any luck with lift start. It drove me crazy. Good luck to you brother.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:Lift arc (on the European machines at least) still requires a means of 'telling' the machine* you want to start welding. It's not like the basic 'scratch TIG' set up with a permantly live torch and gas valve on the handle, you touch the tungsten to the work, press the torch button/foot pedal etc and the arc will start when you lift the tungsten. SSC controls (used to be OEM for the v205-t) do a pedal for $190 by the looks of things... http://www.ssccontrols.com/homepage-TIGweldingcontrols.htm and they are one of the nicest to use pedals out there. The dirt cheap way to HF or lift start is with a torch button which'll also give you use of the 2T/4T sequencer... 2T is press and hold to weld, 4T gives more control over slope times i.e. press and hold to start arc, release to slope up and weld, press and hold to slope down to finish current and release to extinguish arc (or just press and release to weld and repeat to stop).Last edited by hotrodder; 11-04-2012 at 05:18 PM.
Reply:....4T gives more control ....
Reply:you need either the arc start switch or foot pedal control to start.Briggs weldnpower 225/210/cvLn-25 suitcaseMillermatic 130
Reply:I have always loved "lift start" tig welding.Touch the tungsten to the work, you should see a small spark, as you lift the tungsten away from the work, your arc starts.That's how it should work anyway.JasonLincoln Idealarc 250 stick/tigThermal Dynamics Cutmaster 52Miller Bobcat 250Torchmate CNC tableThermal Arc Hefty 2Ironworkers Local 720
Reply:The lift arc on the millers I've used works great, obviously I prefer a foot pedal ( and yes, I've used thumb switches on multiple xray jobs and I still prefer a foot pedal for most work). Ended up just buying a foot pedal for like 170.00. I was just trying to see if this welder worked and do some trials with it to see what I can manage with my setup, guess I have to wait for my ups box before I can do anything.