WeldCraft scratch-start tig with SAE-300

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Just bought one of those Weldcraft tig set ups.  Has anyone ever used one of these scratch start systems swith a SAE-300?  The welder has 5 settings on the left dial and amps on the right dial.  Was wondering which of the 5 settings on the left would work best when tigging?  Thanks.
Reply:just make sure you hook it up on dc - and ur good to goComplete Fabrication Shop specializing in pipe fabrication. Also offering heavy steel fabrication and sheet metal work.
Reply:I would start with low heat.. Set it down at 50-75 Amps to start.. You can always break the arc, and turn the heat up higher..  Start it low, and slow and move up, as you need more heat. Does the torch have a thumbwheel on it? If so make sure you turn on the argon 1st.. You can also use 75%25% or 92%8% or any argon Co2 Mix if your welding steel. Do you know what # is on the welcraft torch??
Reply:I would strongly suggest not using any CO2 mix with GTAW.MIxed gases are used for GTAW but CO2 is normally not one of the gases. Argon Helium mixes are sometimes used.I have welded wth GTAW with Lincoln Engine driven welders and it works fine.Have a nice dayhttp://www.weldingdata.com/
Reply:Originally Posted by gaustinI would strongly suggest not using any CO2 mix with GTAW.MIxed gases are used for GTAW but CO2 is normally not one of the gases. Argon Helium mixes are sometimes used.I have welded wth GTAW with Lincoln Engine driven welders and it works fine.
Reply:1) I have never seen it referenced in any books. (That does not mean it wont get by in a fix for around the house stuff)2) I have watched welder that I was testing complain about leaks in their tig rigs only to see they got bottles of 75/25 Ar/CO2 instead of Argon.3) I have tried it myself and it results in a very erratic puddle, sparks, short tungsten life, and porosity in some cases.PLease let me know where this has been listed as an approved gas for GTAW. I may be doing something wrong.Here is one chart http://www.thefabricator.com/Consuma...le.cfm?ID=1024 and I am sure there are others. I have read through a few books related to welding and just haven't come across this before.Have a nice dayhttp://www.weldingdata.com/
Reply:Your welder is absolutely fine for TIG, you just need your stinger hooked up to the - of the terminals and the ground to the + and use it just like you would normally use the ground. Then clamp your stinger to this adapter  that you hook your argon hose from your shielding gas bottle. Then hook up your TIG torch to the other side of the power adapter and viola, you are ready to tig weld . Oh and save yourself some trouble and use 100% argon, and check via a soapy water test for air leaks in your argon hoses and tig torch.Last edited by SR20steve; 11-04-2008 at 09:22 PM.
Reply:Below is a Cut / Paste from BOC Gases Stainshield – for MIG and TIG weldingStainshield is the name for BOC’s range of shielding gases containing either the following three gases:    * Helium – for its high thermal efficiency, transferring more energy from the arc into the weld    * Argon – for its ability to create the welding arc that allow spray transfer to be achieved, increasing the amount of weld metal deposited. But also because it produces a deep and broad penetration when coupled with helium    * Carbon dioxide – to improve the arc stability and the droplet transfer characteristics to reduce spatterOr the following two gases, for austenitic stainless steels:    * Argon  –  for its ability to create the welding arc that allows spray transfer to be achieved, increasing the amount of weld metal deposited    * Hydrogen – to scavenge oxygen, give faster welding and a bright finishThe Stainshield range allows smooth, clean and defect free welds in all grades of stainless steel and other materials.Stainshield mixtures are used for MIG and TIG welding and are suitable on the following materials:    * Stainless steels and austenitic stainless steel.I have used a 92% argon 8% co2 mix in a pinch welding steel.. I usually use straight argon on everthing with my tig. I was just curious.. The only thing that I can tell it does is spread the weld a little wider. I haven't xrayed anything I welded wiht the mixes.. Regards.Carl
Reply:Is that the reference you spoke of that indicated 75/25 Ar/CO2 could be used for GTAW ?Have a nice dayhttp://www.weldingdata.com/
Reply:It sounds to me like he asked where to set the "job selector" control (the left hand dial with 5 settings, really it is a continuous control with 5 marked ranges). If so I'd start with it in the lowest voltage range which is usually called "special applications" if I remember right, and work up a bit from there to where it wants to weld the best. Whatever it's called, it's the opposite end from the "large electrode" setting. That dial in effect adjusts your voltage while the right hand dial adjusts your amps. A SAE-300 can be either an engine driven or motor driven generator but I think they have the same continuous control, even over the long span of time they made those machines.You might not get down to really low amperage with that machine but depending on how much heat you need it will work.JTMcC.
Reply:It will work fine, I ASSume you have no remote, so it will be a little tricky, but go for it.I would use pure argon.DavidReal world weldin.  When I grow up I want to be a tig weldor.
Reply:Here's the actual webpage for BOC stainshield gases. Note it covers a range of gases and there is a specific TIG mix- agron + hydrogen. I have used stainshield universal (a MIG mix containing 2% CO2) with TIG briefly- you could see the oxidising effect on the tungsten within seconds of striking an arc