Tig Welding Foot control or Torch control

admin

I am a welding teacher at a high school in Iowa. Have have two Tig machines in my shop right now.  They both have foot controls. I will be  buying a new machine in the  next few weeks. Should I have one machine with a torch control? Are most of the TIG welders in the field using foot or torch control? Thanks for your input.  Fairview1
Reply:In my opinion,I think one torch control model may be useful to help students to "cross" train and develop their skill on more than one kind of torch.  I find that just by using other brands of equipment, it makes me a better welder, having to "fine" tune each, understanding arc charachteristics, overall feel etc. helping to eliminate crutches sometimes inadvertently developed on one machine.Esab Migmaster 250Lincoln SA 200Lincoln Ranger 8Smith Oxy Fuel setupEverlast PowerPlasma 80Everlast Power iMIG 160Everlast Power iMIG 205 Everlast Power iMIG 140EEverlast PowerARC 300Everlast PowerARC 140STEverlast PowerTIG 255EXT
Reply:I have only seen one type of job where a hand control was necessary.That was a boat repair facility. Some times a repair for TIG is ON THE BOAT and to remove the entire weldment would be very costly.If you can stand up to do the work, then it is preferable to use the foot control.Trying to hold the filler wire in your left hand ,the torch in your right hand and trying to manipulate the amperage control in the torch hand is NEVER preferable.99% of all the TIG welding is on a bench when possible. IF not, it is standing up next to the welding being done.So the ONLY time you would need a hand control is when you are not welding at the bench and you have to weld something below knee level. I would say forget the hand control.Also if you have a shop with one TIG welding machine would you want to do all it takes to change over from the foot controll to the hand control? Like buying all that stuff.NO - because there is always a way to get the weldment close to the bench, or above knee level. EXCEPT on a boat. But even then it is kind of rare because even if a railing was damaged it usually just gets replaced 90% of the time.If you are building a motorcycle the lift goes up and down, If you are working on a car the lift will go up or down, AND if it is a boat at a special slip at the welding shop back door you can have a scaffolding at the correct height.Forget the hand torch.Last edited by Donald Branscom; 02-26-2009 at 11:42 AM.AWS certified welding inspectorAWS certified welder
Reply:only used a torch control once. hated it but i needed to use it. i don't know what donald has been doing in his time welding but half of the stuff i have had to do with all processes was in cramped places. maybe this was because i always seemed to be the one willing to crawl into the hole though.
Reply:I've got a torch control and can't stand it.  Its the East West dial type, but I've heard the North South sliders are much better.Still, I love my foot control, and have even used it between my knees out of position.The SSC Controls Pedal is wider than the ones from Miller, and has grip tape on both sides, so its pretty comfortable to use between your knees, and still gives better control than the finger wheel.
Reply:I agree with Lugweld. I'm not a 'professional' welder but do all sorts of odd things, often without the benefit of equipment like lifts which a shop would have. I've had to use foot pedal between my knees while lying on my back working under vehicles, and would much prefer to have the torch control for those occasions.I think a torch control, if well made, would get to be just as 'natural to use' as anything else, if used enough.
Reply:I'm just glad to see an instructor that's interested in teaching skills that are relevant.Thanks Fairview1
Reply:I put a north-south slide control on my torch and I tried to learn to use it but my fingers just can't operate it and hold the torch at the same time.   I even reversed the direction of the switch and I still couldn't operate it.   I use the foot pedal exclusively.MM350P/Python/Q300MM175/Q300DialarcHFHTP MIG200PowCon300SMHypertherm380ThermalArc185Purox oaF350CrewCab4x4LoadNGo utilitybedBobcat250XMT304/Optima/SpoolmaticSuitcase12RC/Q300Suitcase8RC/Q400Passport/Q300Smith op
Reply:my machine came with a finger control and a foot pedal. I hated the finger control until i got used to it and will never go back to my pedal. anyone need a pedal? its like new!only thing worse than an ugly woman is an ugly weld
Reply:El_Lloydeo, actually, I do need a pedal.  What machine is your pedal made for?  I need one for an XMT 304 CC/CV.  The Miller part number is RFCS-14 (043-554), or RFCS-14-HD (194-744).  If your's will work, let me know how much you want for it.MM350P/Python/Q300MM175/Q300DialarcHFHTP MIG200PowCon300SMHypertherm380ThermalArc185Purox oaF350CrewCab4x4LoadNGo utilitybedBobcat250XMT304/Optima/SpoolmaticSuitcase12RC/Q300Suitcase8RC/Q400Passport/Q300Smith op
Reply:airco 300 heliwelderonly thing worse than an ugly woman is an ugly weld
Reply:If I can sit and weld at a table, I will use the foot control if I need to. However, I have a bum leg so standing and trying to use a foot control is not gonna work for me. The hand control is easy once you get used to it. I use the east/ west type. Have never used a north/ south type.
Reply:i heard that if you have a down slope setting than  of on button works on a hand control.I dont have that setting yet, but it sounds cool.Turn the switch off and it down ramps till the puddle is cool enough then turn it on again and it ramps up. Not instant on/off.Is this correct? I never tried oneSuppose you could push the button with any usefull body part.Anyone use this....any commentsG
Reply:Originally Posted by El_Lloydeoairco 300 heliwelder
Reply:http://stores.ebay.com/SSC-Controls-Companythey work just fine and are @$150 for a 14 pin millerNo i dont work/own themG
Reply:Thanks Gord.  I was hoping to find a used one, but that price is pretty good for a new one so I'll check them out.   The Miller one is about $250.MM350P/Python/Q300MM175/Q300DialarcHFHTP MIG200PowCon300SMHypertherm380ThermalArc185Purox oaF350CrewCab4x4LoadNGo utilitybedBobcat250XMT304/Optima/SpoolmaticSuitcase12RC/Q300Suitcase8RC/Q400Passport/Q300Smith op
Reply:When I went to welding school all we had was a n/s sliding control so that's all I knew. When I bought my Econo TIG, I used the e/w control.After my now ex wife said all my tools got stolen (and I got a divorce) I ended up with a foot control. Now it's all I want to use. If I have to lay down to weld, I put the controller between my knees.I do believe that you should have a finger controller to teach with. It's best that students learn different ways, or they will get stuck in a rut like so many of us and not be open to trying other methods.Richard TerryMarine engineer.............  C'mon retirement!
Reply:Somebody should make a tig torch with a variable trigger current control, like remote control cars have.  I can hold the mig torch with one hand and pull the trigger without shaking the torch, but I can't hold the tig torch and operate the sliding or rotary finger controls without shaking the torch and dipping the tungsten!  Stroking the slider or rotary is just not a natural finger motion, but pulling a trigger is a natural grabbing motion.  I don't know why no manufacturer has thought of this before.  I remember we discussed it here some 2 years ago when I was fighting with the finger control and finally gave up and got a pedal.MM350P/Python/Q300MM175/Q300DialarcHFHTP MIG200PowCon300SMHypertherm380ThermalArc185Purox oaF350CrewCab4x4LoadNGo utilitybedBobcat250XMT304/Optima/SpoolmaticSuitcase12RC/Q300Suitcase8RC/Q400Passport/Q300Smith op
Reply:Ooh, that sounds pretty good actually.My problem with the wheel control, is that I cannot get from one end of the scale to the other in a single motion.  I need to push (or pull with my thumb), then move back, and repeat.This would completely solve that.
Reply:That is my problem with both the wheel and slide controls, the motion range the finger or thumb has to go through is too long.  All the re-positioning causes torch shaking for me.  Either I dip the tungsten if I'm pushing the control forward, or pull the tungsten away from the weld if pulling the control back, or shake the torch some other way and crash the tungsten into the filler.MM350P/Python/Q300MM175/Q300DialarcHFHTP MIG200PowCon300SMHypertherm380ThermalArc185Purox oaF350CrewCab4x4LoadNGo utilitybedBobcat250XMT304/Optima/SpoolmaticSuitcase12RC/Q300Suitcase8RC/Q400Passport/Q300Smith op
Reply:This might sound stupid, but do all you americans weld using some sort of amparage control, be it foot or torch? I just set the amp on the machine dial. Dont feel a need to change the amp while welding. Might be lack of experience, I dont know.
Reply:I weld with the variable current control.  If there is no way to change the current as you weld, the puddle can get very wide/hot on aluminum and thin steel as the metal heats up as you weld along.   It has been standard practice to tig weld with a foot pedal for several decades now.  I rarely see anyone using tig without some kind of current control, be it hand or foot.MM350P/Python/Q300MM175/Q300DialarcHFHTP MIG200PowCon300SMHypertherm380ThermalArc185Purox oaF350CrewCab4x4LoadNGo utilitybedBobcat250XMT304/Optima/SpoolmaticSuitcase12RC/Q300Suitcase8RC/Q400Passport/Q300Smith op
Reply:You just made me feel very out of date *sob*
Reply:Gosh, it certainly wasn't my intention to make anyone feel bad.  My appologies.MM350P/Python/Q300MM175/Q300DialarcHFHTP MIG200PowCon300SMHypertherm380ThermalArc185Purox oaF350CrewCab4x4LoadNGo utilitybedBobcat250XMT304/Optima/SpoolmaticSuitcase12RC/Q300Suitcase8RC/Q400Passport/Q300Smith op
Reply:Originally Posted by El_Lloydeoairco 300 heliwelderI've never used a foot control in the field. When your leads are 100ft from your power source not having to drag an extra cord all the way there is priceless. Not to mention being in all kinds of jacked up positions that render a foot control all but useless. Do they even make pedal control cables that long? I think making your students use a hand control or no control at all is a great thing to teach. teach them to sctratch start, lift arc and roll off the weld to break the arc and still maintain gas coverage. **** I would teach them to weld hangin upside down if osha would allow it :P
Reply:I have always used a foot control too but am having to learn on a e/w handcontrol now. I am doing a cage and see no way to use a foot control. Is there anyne out there who does cage work with a foot control?
Reply:When doing tig roots on pipe i dont even have a controller of any sort, in the field i preset my welder to the desired amperage in which i can control and i go at it. It takes alot of skill and practice but you can learn to control your heat without constant adjustment. Even when in the shop practicing for upcoming pressure ticket re-certifications i put a brick on my foot control and away i go. When i was apprenticing i was thrown into every worst possible situation on purpose, and still having to produce xray quality welds and looking back im very thankful. Id would absolutely suggest setting up a tig machine with a torch with nothing but a gas control knob and get the students to learn how to control their heat at a preset amperage. Essentially all it is, is travel speed, arc manipulation, and filler material deposition.
Reply:I have welded hanging upside down i4sillypwr. LOL. I'm not fond of torch controls, but every now and then you find a job where a foot pedal is impractical. Because it's hard to turn the dial all the way with one finger motion, I crank the amperage up, that way I only have to turn the dial partially around to get the amps I want. For welding at home I don't have any kind of control, so I've had to learn do without any amperage control.
Reply:when its impossible to use the foot pedal, just mig it. j/kI think there's definitely merits to hand control.  I wished i had it for those special occasions.  didn't someone mentioned pressure sensitive button switch that mounts on the torch?  I just got over death-grip-on-torch recently, so i assume that would be difficult for beginners... but then again, pedals could be difficult for beginners as well.  since you have two pedal machines already, why not get one with hand control?  or get both?  more tool is always more-good!
Reply:Originally Posted by IndysupraI have always used a foot control too but am having to learn on a e/w handcontrol now. I am doing a cage and see no way to use a foot control. Is there anyne out there who does cage work with a foot control?
Reply:Originally Posted by Grimm1I have welded hanging upside down i4sillypwr. LOL. I'm not fond of torch controls, but every now and then you find a job where a foot pedal is impractical. Because it's hard to turn the dial all the way with one finger motion, I crank the amperage up, that way I only have to turn the dial partially around to get the amps I want. For welding at home I don't have any kind of control, so I've had to learn do without any amperage control.
Reply:As a rule I think all the hand controllers are hard to use well....I use mine on occasion when I have to lay down and crawl into a hole to weld something in a restaurant or in some other place that I have no option of having a foot, knee or other body part operating a pedal....but if I can operate the pedal somehow I will always use it first.   As far as in school....I think it may be nice to have so the students know whats available but I would get a pedal first. A long time ago when I was in school I had the option of standing /sitting while learning and the teacher told me I had my whole career to be uncomfortable/doing stuff in f-up positions....while I`m in school I should get comfortable so I can really learn it save the uncomfortable stuff for my working days......
Reply:I only use the foot control.  I'm just not coordinated enough to use finger control and go around a pipe at the same time.  I have noticed that my foot stays pretty steady on the pedal except for starts and stops.  Maybe a finger on/off switch and ramp up/down settings would be the ticket for me.  I guess I'll just do what I'm doin till something affordable comes up.My name's not Jim....
Reply:I only use the foot control.  I'm just not coordinated enough to use finger control and go around a pipe at the same time.  I have noticed that my foot stays pretty steady on the pedal except for starts and stops.  Maybe a finger on/off switch and ramp up/down settings would be the ticket for me.  I guess I'll just do what I'm doin till something affordable comes up.My name's not Jim....