The guy I've been machining parts for has one , and the HF start is weak - he often has to touch the tungsten to the work to initiate the arc . I've looked thru his owners manual , and can find no reference to adjust an air gap , which has me wondering ...does this unit use an air gap to produce HF for start ? If so , where can we find info on checking/adjusting it ?
I occasionally find the HF on my Syncrowave doesn't start the arc. The spark gaps are all good and HF set at a reasonable level. What I've found is this seems to be the result of oxide forming on the tungsten, perhaps from being stingy with the argon post flow. I just got in the habit of scratching the tungsten on the work while getting positioned and this removes the oxide so that when I press the pedal the HF starts the arc just fine.
First... Inverter TIG Welders do not have a traditional High Frequency transformer with a spark gap. They use a different system that is closer to a photo flash. It is called Capacitor Discharge High Freq.
Second... a possible solution for your friend is to try "cold scratching" the tungsten before each weld. This means exactly what it sounds like. Scratch the tungsten on anything first, then strike your arc.
The reason behind this has to do with when you stop welding, and the arc collapses, there are always some vaporized metal particles (ions) in the plasma stream that will turn to oxides the instant the arc stops. These oxides will cling to the surface of the tungsten, creating an extremely thin electrical insulator. By cold scratching you break that coating.
Thanks , I wasn't sure how they got the HF with the inverter machines . I'm not going to worry about it , he seems happy to do it the way he is . I just have this curiosity about how thingsw work .
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