TIG Hand Control, Options

[DaveB]

I hate moving my TIG from the bench to my car because of the foot pedal. I borrowed a buddy's Miller finger control and really don't like using a wheel. I'm looking at the 6060 TIG button and wanted to know what others use and like.

MIG gets the job done but with 19 gauge I have to use a lot of small tacks to stop seams from warping. I'm tired of not being able to TIG in awkward positions.

Any recommendations or suggestions?

I finished up the trunk with my MIG and now want to pull the trigger on getting a finger control to complete the rest of the sheet metal work. I'll spend the day grinding and smoothing. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/headbang.gif)




Dave

[mb911]

Oh gosh I hate thumb controls and buttons. The point of TIG welding is for precise control. Thumb controls require you to take the control hand /thumb to hit the switch. It’s about the silliest thing you could put on a TIG unit. Pipe fitters don’t use a thumb controls neither does aerospace , or any reputable shop. They do work and is ok but I have welded on pontoons overhead and used my head or knees to depress the pedal. Welded on helicopters, airplanes, snowmobiles, fender flares, you name it all with a foot pedal. I have been teaching TIG welding for 25 years and prior to that aerospace so take my advice with a grain of salt.

Anyway if you must have one stay name brand. FYI we teach over 150 TIG welders each semester (3 per year) all foot pedals.

[Superhawk996]

Oh gosh I hate thumb controls and buttons. The point of TIG welding is for precise control. Thumb controls require you to take the control hand /thumb to hit the switch. It’s about the silliest thing you could put on a TIG unit. Pipe fitters don’t use a thumb controls neither does aerospace , or any reputable shop. They do work and is ok but I have welded on pontoons overhead and used my head or knees to depress the pedal. Welded on helicopters, airplanes, snowmobiles, fender flares, you name it all with a foot pedal. I have been teaching TIG welding for 25 years and prior to that aerospace so take my advice with a grain of salt.

Anyway if you must have one stay name brand. FYI we teach over 150 TIG welders each semester (3 per year) all foot pedals.

With all due respect Ben, have you tired the TIG Button?

It’s index finger tip controlled and it’s a very sensitive pressure control. It works great and is very natural to use. It’s very easy to feather in and out and to infinitely vary the current while welding. It’s very easy to go from minimum to maximum current just based on finger tip pressure. It is as precise as the foot control. All fingers / thumb remain in constant, natural contact with the torch for full control of the torch.

It’s nothing like the Miller thumb control I’ve tried that a friend has which I hated. It was old and was just an on/off and didn’t vary the current. I think Lincoln has a weird slider conveyor belt looking thing - haven’t tried that but looks very awkward to me to have to use a thumb on that so I truly get where you’re coming from.

I you haven’t tried a TIG Button you owe it to yourself to try it.

Watch the video around time stamp 2:15 and watch his hand on the torch, and the amperage response on the machine.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OW1Mh3vOJDM?si=NaPmSifq0EoJ9CFg

[mb911]

Oh gosh I hate thumb controls and buttons. The point of TIG welding is for precise control. Thumb controls require you to take the control hand /thumb to hit the switch. It’s about the silliest thing you could put on a TIG unit. Pipe fitters don’t use a thumb controls neither does aerospace , or any reputable shop. They do work and is ok but I have welded on pontoons overhead and used my head or knees to depress the pedal. Welded on helicopters, airplanes, snowmobiles, fender flares, you name it all with a foot pedal. I have been teaching TIG welding for 25 years and prior to that aerospace so take my advice with a grain of salt.

Anyway if you must have one stay name brand. FYI we teach over 150 TIG welders each semester (3 per year) all foot pedals.

With all due respect Ben, have you tired the TIG Button?

It’s index finger tip controlled and it’s a very sensitive pressure control. It works great and is very natural to use. It’s very easy to feather in and out and to infinitely vary the current while welding. It’s very easy to go from minimum to maximum current just based on finger tip pressure. It is as precise as the foot control. All fingers / thumb remain in constant, natural contact with the torch for full control of the torch.

It’s nothing like the Miller thumb control I’ve tried that a friend has which I hated. It was old and was just an on/off and didn’t vary the current. I think Lincoln has a weird slider conveyor belt looking thing - haven’t tried that but looks very awkward to me to have to use a thumb on that so I truly get where you’re coming from.

I you haven’t tried a TIG Button you owe it to yourself to try it.

Watch the video around time stamp 2:15 and watch his hand on the torch, and the amperage response on the machine.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OW1Mh3vOJDM?si=NaPmSifq0EoJ9CFg

Yup doesn’t change my stance anything you do with the control hand besides use technique is going to change arc length, puddle manipulation. That is a big deal if you’re doing high quality welds. I suppose for the weekend warrior that is only doing sheet metal /car repairs then your fine. No self respecting pro that had actual training would use these with a few exceptions and those exceptions would not be for high quality welding applications.

[Superhawk996]

Fair enough. I’m not a pro and never will be.

From someone that is a weekend warrior, that has used the TIG Button for out of position welding, it is a game changer for work that can’t occur on the bench.

[rick 918-S]

Fair enough. I’m not a pro and never will be.

From someone that is a weekend warrior, that has used the TIG Button for out of position welding, it is a game changer for work that can’t occur on the bench.

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/agree.gif)

If I have to use my head to push a peddle I am going to think of a smarter way not a harder way (IMG:style_emoticons/default/WTF.gif)

[mb911]

Fair enough. I’m not a pro and never will be.

From someone that is a weekend warrior, that has used the TIG Button for out of position welding, it is a game changer for work that can’t occur on the bench.

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/agree.gif)

If I have to use my head to push a peddle I am going to think of a smarter way not a harder way (IMG:style_emoticons/default/WTF.gif)

It’s all about the arc length. As a state weld test conductor myself there are very specific criteria used when you assess quality welds.

Again not super applicable to welding a flare on etc. I work with steam fitters, boiler makers,etc and many times you use a mirror to see the welds to ensure quality line of sight but also maintain arc length as that can make or break a weld or kill someone.

[Superhawk996]

Fair enough. I’m not a pro and never will be.

From someone that is a weekend warrior, that has used the TIG Button for out of position welding, it is a game changer for work that can’t occur on the bench.

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/agree.gif)

If I have to use my head to push a peddle I am going to think of a smarter way not a harder way (IMG:style_emoticons/default/WTF.gif)

It’s all about the arc length. As a state weld test conductor myself there are very specific criteria used when you assess quality welds.

Again not super applicable to welding a flare on etc. I work with steam fitters, boiler makers,etc and many times you use a mirror to see the welds to ensure quality line of sight but also maintain arc length as that can make or break a weld or kill someone.

Not tying to be a dumb ass nor am I trying to question your crazy skill or desire for only the best weld integrity - it’s well beyond my pay scale. I most certainly want quality welds on a boiler, pipeline, etc., and I’m glad you’re the man for that job. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)

However, I’m not sure I’m understanding how controlling a foot pedal with your head, knee, or armpit is superior to simply applying a trivial amount if force to a very sensitive pressure sensor with just the tip of a finger. My finger tip is a whole lot more sensitive to control forces and travel than my armpit, knee or head. I get that a seasoned pro can do this - I tried and failed even when working on 1/8” tube I was getting blow though when trying to control the pedal in out of position welding. I’m sure that’s cause I’m a dope and don’t practice in those awkward positions enough. I’m completely OK with “you’re a dope” being the answer. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

Ben, please don’t take this the wrong way, I’m not challenging you in any manner. Teach me what I’m missing and why exerting a tiny force with the tip of my index finger is so bad.

I only know I was struggling to weld 1/8” tube out of position when I made my chassis cart with a foot pedal. When I went to the TIG Button, I was able to easily weld sheetmetal out of position.

[mb911]

Fair enough. I’m not a pro and never will be.

From someone that is a weekend warrior, that has used the TIG Button for out of position welding, it is a game changer for work that can’t occur on the bench.

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/agree.gif)

If I have to use my head to push a peddle I am going to think of a smarter way not a harder way (IMG:style_emoticons/default/WTF.gif)

It’s all about the arc length. As a state weld test conductor myself there are very specific criteria used when you assess quality welds.

Again not super applicable to welding a flare on etc. I work with steam fitters, boiler makers,etc and many times you use a mirror to see the welds to ensure quality line of sight but also maintain arc length as that can make or break a weld or kill someone.

Not tying to be a dumb ass nor am I trying to question your crazy skill or desire for only the best weld integrity - it’s well beyond my pay scale. I most certainly want quality welds on a boiler, pipeline, etc., and I’m glad you’re the man for that job. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)

However, I’m not sure I’m understanding how controlling a foot pedal with your head, knee, or armpit is superior to simply applying a trivial amount if force to a very sensitive pressure sensor with just the tip of a finger. My finger tip is a whole lot more sensitive to control forces and travel than my armpit, knee or head. I get that a seasoned pro can do this - I tried and failed even when working on 1/8” tube I was getting blow though when trying to control the pedal in out of position welding. I’m sure that’s cause I’m a dope and don’t practice in those awkward positions enough. I’m completely OK with “you’re a dope” being the answer. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

Ben, please don’t take this the wrong way, I’m not challenging you in any manner. Teach me what I’m missing and why exerting a tiny force with the tip of my index finger is so bad.

I only know I was struggling to weld 1/8” tube out of position when I made my chassis cart with a foot pedal. When I went to the TIG Button, I was able to easily weld sheetmetal out of position.

So again when TIG welding or any welding for that matter you want to keep a consistent length between the electrode and the work. When welding I rest the heal of my hand on the work/table to make my hand as steady as possible. If I move my hand at all the torch moves. So now if you are welding tube I would use my pinky of my control hand (torch in this hand) to stabilize the torch and maintain arc length. If I have to use another finger then my control goes away. This is why they sell TIG fingers.

Basically anything you use your control hand for besides control /stability of arc length you jeopardize arc length. Aside from arc length you can more easily contaminate the tungsten and also change the penetration profile.

Again this only apply to cars with something like roll cages, engine mounts, suspension points basically high stress areas.

I am beating this topic to death here. Almost none of this matters for weekend warriors