lift-start TIG trouble

[ironyworks]

Hi all:
I've got an XMT304 cc,cv , and when i fired it up yesterday the lift-arc start function wasn't working.
Managed to get welding done with the scratch start TIG setting.
Any suggestions as to where to look for the problem?
This used welder is still new to me and it's my first inverter driven machine.
Any help would be appreciated.....Ironyworks

[has2tig]

were you using the lift start the way you were suposed to. I only used it a few times and the first few times it threw me off using it. Seems unatural at first. Touch the material hit the pedal and slowly lift. http://millerwelds.com/products/enginedriven/lift-arc.html[/URL]

[Desertrider33]

I have an XMT 304cc/cv too and I don't like the lift start either. I just scratch start and use the pedal, it works better for me.

[ironyworks]

It worked for me in the past OK.
What happens now is that there seems to be a small current that sticks the tungsten to the stainless just firmly enough that i can't lift it smoothly.

[usmcruz]

Never had a problem with the lift arc start, just do as the above said, and it should work just fine. It definately takes some getting used to, but you'll get it.

[myistar]

i've used lift arc once, but about 4 arc starts on a XMT304 CC/CV. and i absolutely love it, much better that scratch start, but either works good for me, but i prefer lift-arc.

[ironyworks]

I liked it when it worked at first.
Now the electrode sticks when i try to lift it..IW

[ironyworks]

The ground tip of the tungsten welds a little to the stainless when it touches, so it's impossible to lift without a jerk out of arc range.

[Dmaxer]

In my experience the slight sticking of the electrode is a product of the sensing voltage flow to the torch with the XMT. Timing and muscle memory with practice will overcome the strangeness of it. I hardly notice it anymore.

You didn't say whether you are using a foot pedal or torch rheostat for controlling amps. If you're not using one, touch the electrode to the workpiece, wait 1 or 2 seconds and lift. If you are using a control make sure that the selector knob on the XMT is set appropriately. To weld, touch the electrode to the workpiece where you want to start the weld, activate the control at a low setting, make sure you've waited 1 or 2 seconds and lift just a bit.:D

[ironyworks]

Thanks Dmaxer:
Perhaps i'm noticing the problem now because the stainless is paper thin and the machine is dialed way down . That means i can't lift far without losing the arc.
But i don't recall the sticking of the electrode using the lift arc in the past...and it definitely does stick to the work.
I am using a foot pedal and i think everything is set correctly..i think.
Appreciate the help.

[ASKANDY]

What size tungsten are you using?

a-

[ironyworks]

Hi Andy;
Dinky....maybe 1/32 to 1/16 or so. This is crosseyed thickness welding.
It's ground linearly to a sharp point, unlike heavier tungstens which i grind to a slightly flat end.

[Desertrider33]

Mine sticks too, which is why I dont like it. It's so much simpler to scratch start and the tungsten stays in better shape scratching than lifting. Welding the tungsten to the work just about every start does wonders for the point... :rolleyes: I don't know if there's something wrong with the machine, but as my only non-HF tig machine, it definately has me turned off to 'lift start'. Eventually, I'll upgrade to the TA300 in the shop and keep the TA185 on the truck and just use the XMT for stick and wire.

[ironyworks]

Thanks Desertrider;
I don't feel quite so incompetent now.
Wonder if the sensor voltage is a tad too high on our machines?
Is it somehow adjustable? Or we both doing something wrong?

Also wonder what Miller has to say about this?

[ironyworks]

More info;
The sticking is only a problem below 30 amps or so. It almost seems that the lower the amps, the worse the sticking gets.
When the tungsten sticks to the filler rod ( 035) which is stuck to the work..the filler rod heats to a bright orange and cannot be broken off till the work is separated from the ground..WTF?
Miller guys..please help..IW

[Desertrider33]

We're probly both doing something wrong, though it's not beyond possibility that the machine is just not designed for very low amp tig use in the lift start mode. The XMT seems to be aimed at the industrial fabrication and construction market for wire and stick welding moreso than the light gauge tig market.

[Wicked one]

Thanks Dmaxer:
Perhaps i'm noticing the problem now because the stainless is paper thin and the machine is dialed way down . That means i can't lift far without losing the arc.
But i don't recall the sticking of the electrode using the lift arc in the past...and it definitely does stick to the work.
I am using a foot pedal and i think everything is set correctly..i think.
Appreciate the help.

I've used an xmt 304 for a long time and I had problems with the lift arc not working . How much cable do you have on the machine? I had 50ft. on a hook off the front of the cart I had and it would not work in lift arc until I unwrapped the cable and the it would work fine. Same thing with my Pipepro 304 if I unwrapped all the cable it would work fine. I'm not really sure what the word for what is happening is ? Inductance or something like that. Hope this helps , Jef

[ironyworks]

Thanks Jeff...I'll try that next time.