Tig Pens

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Anybody use a tig pen? and if so how do you like it? I have a coordination issue in trying to feed the rod forward by hand and wearing a glove does not help, so I was thinking about getting one of the pens. They're cheap enough $30 and there are several to choose from.
Reply:Never used one, but they seem kinda limiting to me though. I mean, depending on the weld, there's sometimes where you want to do more than just push forward filler. I think I use the flexibility of different angles you suddenly need to accommodate and often bend the filler into a curve before hand. They remind me of those Gawd Awful "Steady Grip" things. I don't know how anybody could use one of those

But,,, might fill your need and, for the price why not just try one?
Reply:Another thought...Is this really about "coordination" for you? Is there something physically that you're trying to overcome or are you just feeling like you're uncoordinated

Because I think this is much less about being coordination, especially if you're comparing yourself to YouTube Videos, than it is about Muscle Memory. That "dip & move" that appears to be so effortless for those you might be looking at. And it IS easier because we're not thinking about what we're doing as much as you are. It's kinda automated after a while and you might just need the Hours it takes to develop that muscle memory...
Reply:

Originally Posted by BaTu

Another thought...Is this really about "coordination" for you? Is there something physically that you're trying to overcome or are you just feeling like you're uncoordinated

Because I think this is much less about being coordination, especially if you're comparing yourself to YouTube Videos, than it is about Muscle Memory. That "dip & move" that appears to be so effortless for those you might be looking at. And it IS easier because we're not thinking about what we're doing as much as you are. It's kinda automated after a while and you might just need the Hours it takes to develop that muscle memory...
Reply:That actually sounds about right, with time you will find a way to do everything at the same time because it will start to feel more "natural" without having to concentrate on it All at once.I think of it as being like a Taylor, getting those stiches to be perfectly symmetrical. And non-symmetrical stiches are Not bad stiches, they don't look as nice but Hold just as well and this applies to welding too. Expecting yours too start looking that way, in less than dz's of Hours practice, isn't realistic (and realize that the vids & pics you find are the Very Best that very experienced people are making, Not what they do everytime!) We all remember feeling as you do now...


Reply:I have a Tig pen. I'm glad I didn't have to pay the $35 they get for them but it does a nice job on straight welds, filets, laps or just showing off on a piece of material. But when you have to do pipe or something harder to reach the Pen is a pain.Thermal Arc 320SP ( Lorch )Cobra PythonsThermal Arc 300 AC/DC  ( Sanrex )ESAB 301i AC/DC  ( Lorch )Thermal Arc 161STL  ( WTL )Thermal Arc 190S  ( Sanrex )Cut Master 82, 42. Cut45 ( WTL )Victor Gas Apps.Boxes and boxes of welding crap.
Reply:I try to put in a couple of hours everyday for the last couple of weeks to get some hood time, mainly working on aluminum right now which to me is much harder than steel. I will lay some nice beads and some nice beads on joints and then I will make a change on the settings to see what happens (usually nothing good LOL ) but at least I know what happens.
Reply:Thanks for the reply. I might get one and try it since they are cheap, but really want to get that hand coordination down.