Auto TIG fill rod dispenser

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Maybe the market isn't big enough to garner development but, what about inventing a battery operated linear tig fill rod dispenser? Torch in one hand,  dispenser in the other. Trigger or button controls could inch the rod at will. Or, a spool version similar to a spool gun? I know those experienced tig welders with their personal magic finger dispensers will laugh, but even for them it might be easier.I've been down the patent road before. Lot's of work. Just as soon give ideas away in hopes of others developing them and I find them on a store shelf or online someday.I think the linear version dispensing an entire fill rod would be easy to develope if it hasn't already.
Reply:There are already TIG pens.   Google it.  Someone beat you to that idea, sorryTiger Sales:  AHP Distributor    www.tigersalesco.comAHP200x; AHP 160ST; MM350P,  Spoolmatic 30A; Everlast PowerTig 185; Thermal Dynamics 60i plasma.  For Sale:  Cobra Mig 250 w/ Push-pull gun.  Lincoln Wirematic 250
Reply:There are cold wire feeders on the market and feed mig wire. I have one and have not used it for years. Too clumsy. There also is a feeder called a tig pen. I guess you roll a knob. I just learned to feed at each dip.Weld like a "WELDOR", not a wel-"DERR" MillerDynasty700DX,Dynasty350DX4ea,Dynasty200DX,Li  ncolnSW200-2ea.,MillerMatic350P,MillerMatic200w/spoolgun,MKCobraMig260,Lincoln SP-170T,PlasmaCam/Hypertherm1250,HFProTig2ea,MigMax1ea.
Reply:The tig pen is an almost but not quite. It's manual, done by rolling a roller. Like to see more minimal movement requirements. A button to auto advance. The cold wire feeders make me want to just rip a wire feeder off an old mig and jury rig something.
Reply:Cold wire feed TIG gun.Have used one or another of these since the 1970's and all the boats are still floating? Seems to work OK for my uses.  Sure is easier than dip rod TIG.Cheers,Kevin MorinKenai, AK
Reply:I tried to use a mig gun with no gas as a wire feeder for tig. never got the hang of it though.
Reply:That looks really awkward to use.
Reply:W'Dave, it's about half or 1/3 the wt of a spool gun and smaller as well, but its no where near as agile as a hand torch in terms or tight spaces.  But the gun give MIG like speeds to TIG, to understand the reason for its use; just compare stick rod speeds to MIG speeds.  Two hand TIG is limited to stick-like speeds and wire feed TIG allows higher weld speeds.I use the gun mostly on boat work, where its a real life saver.  Hull welds that would not be considered in TIG due to the slow pace of deposit and therefore dozens upon dozens of added hours of work, not to mention the heat distortion resulting from snails' pace TIG applications are easy with this gun.But hand rails with less than 6-8" between the rail and supports or coamings; well that's tight and a hand torch is much easier to get in those corners.  On the other hand a bench welded tank, say 2' x 3' x 1' for example, can be welded in less than half and hour, once tacked.  Especially strong on "downhill TIG" on outside corners, the gun's strength is the ability to weld as far as you can reach in a single pass since the wire roll allows filler of any size bead without pause.Cheers,Kevin MorinKenai, AK
Reply:Who makes the gun Kevin?30+ yrs Army Infantry & Field Artillery, 25 yrs agoMiller 350LX Tig Runner TA 210, spool gunLincoln 250/250 IdealArcESAB PCM 500i PlasmaKazoo 30"  vert BSKazoo 9x16 horiz BSClausing 12x24 lathe20T Air Press
Reply:storeman, was made for years by OTC but is not made now except for sale in Japan!  This co. does sell a MIG gun on the same format but not this TIG for reasons only known to them, probably didn't sell well enough?http://weldmart.com/MIG%20135%20COMP...WEB%20PAGE.htm  same basic product but for MIGCheers,Kevin MorinKenai, AK
Reply:Originally Posted by Kevin MorinCold wire feed TIG gun.Have used one or another of these since the 1970's and all the boats are still floating? Seems to work OK for my uses.  Sure is easier than dip rod TIG.Cheers,Kevin MorinKenai, AK
Reply:docw', Originally Posted by docwelderkevin; and i thought my ta186 tig torch was heavy?!
Reply:I have a revolutionary idea, feed with your fingers! Where I work guys will burn 3 rods of .062 5xxx aluminum rod and not stop welding. If your're looking for higher metal deposition and speed, MIG weld it. I have toyed with this idea on some exotic metals considering I've never heard of someone MIG welding Nickel-Chromium alloys.Last edited by gweah; 12-24-2014 at 11:48 AM.
Reply:Originally Posted by gweah.....considering I've never heard of someone MIG welding Nickel-Chromium alloys.
Reply:Originally Posted by taizerI tried to use a mig gun with no gas as a wire feeder for tig. never got the hang of it though.
Reply:It's an interesting idea and concept. Being a beginner TIG welder, I can see how an automated dispenser could produce more consistent welds because the action of torch movement, puddle observation, and filler dipping is a learned skill. Its the muscle memory that takes repetition to master. In my opinion, this would allow someone to TIG weld without needing to master those mechanics, except for the speed and direction along the joint. I know there are automated TIG welders, but not one where the welder has control over the puddle. You will probably get many detractors of this idea, but a mechanical fed, dip wire TIG welder doesn't seem that hard of a concept.Plus, you could probably use almost all of the TIG rod without your fingers getting hot. Am I the only one with a can of 1 inch filler rod that I cant seem to bear to use HTP Invertig 221Hypertherm Powermax30 XPPlus other stuff
Reply:Sounds pretty cool.  Have 2 foot pedals, 1 for the torch power and 1 for wire speed.
Reply:Originally Posted by SuperTroye Am I the only one with a can of 1 inch filler rod that I cant seem to bear to use
Reply:Originally Posted by DSWWeld the stub to your next full rod and use it all up.
Reply:Cool cold wire unit Kevin but you mention old ways and times changing and yet state you have been using those cold wire units since the 70's. That thing is big. Be cool if that could be streamlined and made smaller somehow. I'd like something smaller to run on 20-24 gauge stainless.