I had read somewhere about checking for high frequency leaks in the dark. Well, I turned out all the lights and hit the pedal. Playing around, I noticed if I grab the torch head, I can see a purple haze. Also, grabbing the torch lead itself, it glows faintly though not so much so. I can grab the lea...

The inductive effects of a coiled lead don't happen "only" at the torch. The other end (the control board) sees effects, too. Don't be surprised if you've done some damage at the other end... Just a thought... Steve S I guess so, who knows. Whatever it is, it has done it from the beginnin...

The basic electronics videos that this guy posts, may help explain what is going on. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LXGtE3X2k7Y I like the humour that he puts into his tutorials. https://www.youtube.com/user/Afrotechmods/videos Hmm. I'm not sure I get it, as far as how it applies. The interesting ...

Well, unfortunately, I don't think I've gotten to the root of the issue. While uncoiling the torch seems to have made the symptom less frequent, I have realized that it still does this on occasion, in the same manner. It's always after I have stopped for at least enough time for the tungsten to cool...

Just going back and forth on some ~1/8" plate...

Yes, neither did HTP. They send me another welder, and as soon as I hooked it up, and had it doing the SAME thing.... It really narrowed things down. I think they may have thought about it, but it wasn't suggested. We all learned something, I think! Boy, did I feel dumb! I am sending the other welde...

Well, I think I've got it figured out. I was worried that it was some sort of common-sense operator error, and I think my gut was right on that. I had the torch cable all coiled up just like it came out of the box, sitting right next to the welder, and also the plate I was welding on sitting right n...

Thanks for the advice. Yup, I've got a new consumable kit and did double-check all that stuff. I realized the "C.C." flashing is the same thing it does if the electrode contacts the work. I imagine it means "closed circuit" or something like that. I wonder if it's something with ...

I played around a little more... I literally think I was holding the electrode TOO CLOSE to the work. About a quarter inch away and it seems to start every time... an inverter thing, maybe?

OK, I'm really on a roll! Typical new guy I'm sure... hopefully not worse! I'm thinking this might be operator error, but not sure. I've got an HTP invertig 221. This is my first attempt to use it - I used a lincoln squarewave in class months ago. I fired up 1/16 electrode on .063" steel at 63 ...

Thanks for the replies! Yes, that is my primary concern, to make sure it's not the torch or something I should address / send back, before I use it. Also wondering if it would affect gas coverage to a negative degree. I pulled the tungsten out so much just to make it more visible in the pics. I've p...

Hi guys, I'm new here, so I'll give a brief history. I've always wanted to get into welding, and finally took a class over the summer. It was mainly a hands-on survey course, and I've been itching to get back to it ever since it ended. I finally decided on an HTP invertig, but haven't gotten everyth...