Hey guys I was wondering if anyone has had similiar problems with this machine. It's new, only about 2 months old. The problems I'm having are, when I hit the foot pedal a lot of times nothing happens, there is no arc, however I can hear gas coming out of the end of the nozzle. I then let up off the pedal, wait for the gas to stop and hit the pedal again. Sometimes an arc will start. Other times the same problem will occur 3 or 4 times in a row. Every time you can hear gas but no arc starts. Sometimes I have to turn the machine off and than back on for it to work.

 

do you have a good ground on the material?

 

I have the ground clamp clamped right to my table. I have a metal welding table the clamp is rite on it.

 

70% of the time it works fine if i'm down there for an hour some days ill wont have a problem at all other days it will work fine except for 3 or 4 times

 

It happens on mine too, I'm pretty positive it's just poor grounding through the table. Never really bothered me that much, I just lift and try again. If it doesn't go I will move the piece and shift the ground clamp and it will arc then.

 

happens to me on occasion as well. I just let off the pedal, tap the tungsten on the part and try again.

 

Another chiming in to confirm. Mine does this as well. I think it is poor grounding as the others have said. I left the scalling on my table soo. Just touch the tungsten to the work and it'll strike after that.

 

usually happens to me when im welding aluminum. I usually turn off my machine and back on.

 

 

How do you guys like the 165? I've been thinking of picking one up

 

For what it is, I love it. Great hobby/starter machine.

 

I am really tempted to get one as I just need a machine to weld things here and there so to speak. How is it with aluminum welding since you cannot adjust the balance or frequency?

 

Most people don't need those settings.

On my syncro 200, using new aluminum, I've set the balance from one end to the other and can hardly tell a difference, I normally just leave it in the middle.

 

happens to our dynasty 300's at school sometimes. i usually just touch the metal with the tungsten then redo it

 

+1 Its your high frequency start giving you a hard time. Every machine Ive ever used does this sooner or later, some more than others tho.