How do you hold your filler wire?

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Wondering how you hold and advance your filler wire with TIG.I want to feed and hold it between my thumb and index finger, but I have a hard time feeding wire through my hand.  Better feed rate control, but I wind up starting away from the puddle and moving my hand closer as I move to the point where I need to stop and readjust.  Holding it like a cigarette, between my index and middle finger, gives me the ability to feed as I go, but not the same precise metering of rod into the puddle.  I also use a glove on the feeder hand.  I fear skin cancer one day from the UV, or a burn if I rest it in the wrong place.  So I'm wondering what you guys do.TA Arcmaster 300CM3XMT 304S22P12 suitcase feederX-Treme 12VSOptima pulserTA161SMaxstar 150STLHypertherm PM45OP setupStihl 020AVP, 039, 066 Magnum
Reply:I am new at TIG as well so I am curious to know. I run my first beads last sunday and besides having my settings all over the place I noticed I have no idea how to feed the wire! I ended up with my hand waaaaay too close to the arc...
Reply:Here's 11 seconds worth of explanation! http://www.weldingtipsandtricks.com/...-rod-hand.htmlThis one's a minute 44 and shows another way:http://www.weldingtipsandtricks.com/...eding-rod.html
Reply:Depends on what I'm doing. Usually I hold it between my index finger and middle finger and "pulse" my hand to advance the filler. When wtc sometimes I will hold it out far and just wrap it around the pipe as the torch progresses.Airco Ac/Dc 300 HeliwelderMillerMatic 200 (stolen)Miller Maxstar 150STLMiller AEAD200LE (welding and generating power) Hobart MIG
Reply:Know how French girls hold their men? A: By the ears.
Reply:Originally Posted by asdfHere's 11 seconds worth of explanation! http://www.weldingtipsandtricks.com/...-rod-hand.htmlThis one's a minute 44 and shows another way:http://www.weldingtipsandtricks.com/...eding-rod.html
Reply:Originally Posted by asdfHere's 11 seconds worth of explanation! http://www.weldingtipsandtricks.com/...-rod-hand.htmlThis one's a minute 44 and shows another way:http://www.weldingtipsandtricks.com/...eding-rod.html
Reply:Except for the panic speed of the second video, they both show usable techniques.  Would add that I usually stretch out bottom pinky or lowest knuckle to brace on tube or whatever being welded.  Of course I'd be wearing gloves.
Reply:i'm partial to the method zap showed us. i tried a few other techniques but i found i had to pick one and stay with it. i wear a glove also because of the uv/heat.i.u.o.e. # 15queens, ny and sunny fla
Reply:I can feed the rod anyway I grab it if I can sitting there. But can't do it when I weld to save my life lol.Torchmate 2x2 CNC with Flashcut CNC controlsHypertherm Powermax45 Esab ET220i Razorweld 195 MigRazorweld 200ac/dc TigTormach 770, Tormach xstechRazorweld, Vipercut/Vipermig, SSC Foot Pedal Dealer
Reply:Originally Posted by GambleI can feed the rod anyway I grab it if I can sitting there. But can't do it when I weld to save my life lol.
Reply:I think feeding rod is usually a hurdle you jump without knowing when you did. I tried super hard to practice at first, like while watching tv, etc, but found when the arc was lit my feed hand would go 'dumb'. It must have helped though cause things got better over time when I stopped obsessing over it. My expectations were sky high..I thought I'd be 'injecting' the rod like a cold wirefeed surgeon with pulse-like accuracy...didn't happen!
Reply:... the same way i hold my tea, like a sir.Welding/Fab Pics: www.UtahWeld.com
Reply:Originally Posted by GambleI can feed the rod anyway I grab it if I can sitting there. But can't do it when I weld to save my life lol.
Reply:Originally Posted by shovelonThe second way, with a glove. Each advancement of the rod goes directly into the puddle in concert with the bead.
Reply:I never have liked trying to be constantly advancing the filler rod thru my fingers while TIG welding.   I find it just slows down my speed and accuracy (not to mention up-ing the chances I'll contaminate my tungsten).   I tend to view that technique as an un-necessary over complication of things that while it may sound good in theory doesn't usually work out that well or gain you much in practice.   On the other hand, maybe I just haven't practiced it enough to get really slick at it.What I normally do on longer welds when I need to advance the filler rod is back off the pedal and let it freeze to the puddle.  Then slide by hand back it a foot or so before re-gripping it, coming back down on the pedal and continuing on with the weld.
Reply:Originally Posted by HT2-4956I never have liked trying to be constantly advancing the filler rod thru my fingers while TIG welding.   I find it just slows down my speed and accuracy (not to mention up-ing the chances I'll contaminate my tungsten).   I tend to view that technique as an un-necessary over complication of things that while it may sound good in theory doesn't usually work out that well or gain you much in practice.   On the other hand, maybe I just haven't practiced it enough to get really slick at it.What I normally do on longer welds when I need to advance the filler rod is back off the pedal and let it freeze to the puddle.  Then slide by hand back it a foot or so before re-gripping it, coming back down on the pedal and continuing on with the weld.
Reply:Originally Posted by shovelonI hear you. I combine the right amount of feed with the desired diameter rod to get the rod advancement to go right into the puddle. Sometimes I have to add another foot to the rod so not to run out. Sometimes I do run out and like you back off the peddle some without extinguishing the arc, and pick up another rod and continue.
Reply:Originally Posted by HT2-4956Some times when trying to use up a bunch of short pieces of filler I'll start out with a second one sticking backwards out of my hand held between my other fingers (besides my thumb and first finger).   When I use the first one up I'll back off the pedal slightly, drop the stub aside, and flip the other piece around and keep going.When ever possible I try and use full length rods (less stub waste).  But there's times I find it best to start out with them cut in half.   For instance if you're trying to get in some where tight or are just making a bunch of shorter, smaller welds that need a high degree of accuracy in an akward to get to place.   I almost always cut .045 and .035 diameter filler rods in half at the start because I don't like having a long swaying piece of it sticking out behind my hand.   The momentum from it swaying about tends to throw off my accuracy of getting it to add to the puddle like I want it to.
Reply:Originally Posted by shovelonI have never thought about flipping another rod around. I am going to try that.I do have trouble in tight spaces, so I put a bend in the rod to get access, but you are right, cutting down works. Did you ever tack two rods side to side when bounded it to be fatter?
Reply:As an example of what I think is the impracticality of that constant feeding of the filler rod technique take a look at that 12 second video that's been posted above.   As some who's done a lot of production tig welding I can tell you that if you weld all day long with the skin of your thumb and fore finger exposed like that so you can get traction on that rod to advance it like he's doing well, you're going to end up wishing you hadn't because you'll cook that exposed skin on those fingers.
Reply:Originally Posted by HT2-4956shovels,I've had to bend the filler rod occasionally to get it in where I needed it to go also.   I try to avoid that when ever possible but some times there's just no other way.   I've never tried tacking two rods side to side.   Can you give me a "for instance" when that would be helpful?   Also here the last couple of years I've gotten a way from intermittent daubing of the filler rod when ever possible.   I like getting the puddle established, hooking the filler rod to the leading edge of it and then keeping it hooked there with a slight feed pressure as I move down the joint.   That technique doesn't work well with aluminum but for run of the mill fillets on carbon and stainless I can go really hot and fast and leave a really smooth weld.
Reply:I use many techniques, whatever comes into play with my brain at the moment, but for the most part just think of a caterpillar. Advance forward with the rod between index  and middle finger, then open up fingers and push forward with the crease of your thumb and inside palm, while taking a bite back with your index and middle fingers again while opening up your thumb. This can be done in very long or short incriments.  With aluminum I go deep and push far, and with stainless and mild I just go as needed to be precise and accurate. If you manually pulse the pedal and get your timing down, there is absolutely no reason to rush things and be sloppy. You can feed, watch the puddle wet out, back off the amperage and move and be pinpoint accurate for most of the time. Throw in crappy dirty screwed up situations on some repairs beyond our control, and sometimes you can just throw everything out the window.  I hate being bi-polar it's awsomeMy Heroes Have Always Been Cowboys
Reply:Originally Posted by weldermikeI use many techniques, whatever comes into play with my brain at the moment, but for the most part just think of a caterpillar. Advance forward with the rod between index  and middle finger, then open up fingers and push forward with the crease of your thumb and inside palm, while taking a bite back with your index and middle fingers again while opening up your thumb. This can be done in very long or short incriments.  With aluminum I go deep and push far, and with stainless and mild I just go as needed to be precise and accurate. If you manually pulse the pedal and get your timing down, there is absolutely no reason to rush things and be sloppy. You can feed, watch the puddle wet out, back off the amperage and move and be pinpoint accurate for most of the time. Throw in crappy dirty screwed up situations on some repairs beyond our control, and sometimes you can just throw everything out the window.
Reply:Originally Posted by shovelonAn example that comes to mind for tacking rods side to side is putting a 1/4 inch fillet on 1/4 inch 4130 steel. Only having 1/16" diameter Er80 filler, tacking 2 side by side gives me enough girth to make the bead spacing and chilling I want for desired workmanship, and also to prevent undercut. You are right on the second part. Lay rod technique is not a good idea for alum. It does not allow proper penetration and prohibits base metal dilution. 4043 filler especially comes to mind.So nobody else twist 10-15ft sections of .035 doubled up around a hook with a hand drill? Cut the braid to desired length and enjoy, tig rod ribbed for easy feeding.
Reply:Still cant feed rod with my fingers, either slide hand along table or roll my hand on its side.Short answer: 'by the short curly ones'-c-
Reply:Originally Posted by JoedanSo nobody else twist 10-15ft sections of .035 doubled up around a hook with a hand drill? Cut the braid to desired length and enjoy, tig rod ribbed for easy feeding.
Reply:very hard to feed the wire especially with gloves on,what i do is feed in with hand getting closer to weld pool then freeze wire in pool then re grip then start again,but one day will get technique right,but everyone is different,the sri lankans and phillipiney welders are excellent at feeding the wire i find
Reply:When sober, I hold mine this way.....When drunk, I entice the dog to hold it.But if the dog is drunk too, then me and him play with sparklers and compete with each other attempting to see who can stand longest on our hind feet wearing wigs and ballet shoes...But that's just me and my dog, and how we do stuff when ain't nobody looking
Reply:I hold it in my left hand."USMCPOP" First-born son: KIA  Iraq 1/26/05Syncrowave 250 w/ Coolmate 3Dialarc 250, Idealarc 250SP-175 +Firepower TIG 160S (gave the TA 161 STL to the son)Lincwelder AC180C (1952)Victor & Smith O/A torchesMiller spot welder
Reply:Originally Posted by OldendumI hold it in my left hand.
Reply:If you practice welding aluminum it will make you get better because u have to feed more wire in. There is a YouTube of John marcellas feeding wire while welding a intake manifold. It's not very long but it's how I do it to. Theres like 3 videos of him taking about miller welders. Or you can hold it between a couple fingers and bump it in with ur thumb in a downward motion. I think I have several ways of feeding it
Reply:I really really wish for a demonstration on 6g pipe one day. Seen all the youtube videos, but have yet to figure out the steady feeding. I always bump out of my puddle.