Hobart tigmate160Hf Ac/Dc

[ianeuroleisure]

Hi I have just bought a secondhand Hobart tig, model as above. I have self taught myself Tig welding, using my Draper inverter HF tig although I have become quite proficient I am lacking experience with the equipment and have no manual. I tried to get one from Hobart but everytime I log in it replies with unrecognised serial number, and then downloads current model which bears no resemblence to mine.
My main problem is that I can get it to work fine in DC mode but cannot get it to weld ally in Ac mode,I use pure argon gas and I know about changing tungstens(white tip) just not sure what some of the settings are. Anybody out there can advise me I'd be grateful.
Regards Ian (clueless)

 

[Paul.]

Hi
Not familiar with the Hobart but Tig sets are all pretty much the same, unless its a pulse machine.
For al you need to keep the HF on continuous, keep the tip level or just inside the ceramic, some folks like to leave the end of the tungsten square, but I always just break the corner and then run a bead on a scrap piece to ball the end of the tip,
post a photo of the front panel, it'll help to see what features the set has, somebody on here may even have one,
what thickness material are you welding?
Paul

 

[ianeuroleisure]

Hi Paul,
Thanks for the info I will try your suggestions and I will take a photo of front panel and post it as soon as possible. I am just using some 5mm scrap ally to practice forming the bead but it just splatters and spits. I have had the tungsten set outside the ceramic probably as much as 10mm. I cant wait to get back to my workshop to try out your tips.
Regards Ian

 

[ianeuroleisure]

Hi Paul,
I followed your instructions and I had some success but I need to get some ally filler rods and some thinner ally to practice on can you tell me what the knob bottom right does I presume the circle with an arrow is the foot control switch but I cant understand what 2T & 4T stand for.
Regards Ian

 

[Paul.]

Ah, 2t means you hold the trigger to weld and release to stop. 4t is the latching setting where you press the trigger once to start, and then press it again to stop, useful for long runs, stops your thumb from aching!, as you guess the other position is for the remote pedal, the dial below is for postgas time. get some 2.4 filler rods they will be versatile enough for 1.5mm up to 10mm, practice feeding the rod through you fingers, you need to keep the hot end in the gas shield and ally welding can be quite a quick process especially on thinner materials,
Paul

 

[AGRITRAC]

Hi
Ian I think I have some 2.5mm or 3mm rods
Dave

 

[ianeuroleisure]

Hi Dave I will be over to collect them tomorrow
Regards Ian