TIG Amperage - Fine tuned or WFO ?

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I like to run my welder with the amperage cranked all the way up on the power source and use my remote to fine tune as I am welding. Does anyone else do it this way or do you guys like to set the correct amperage at the source and run the remote WFO ?Ian TannerKawasaki KX450 and many other fine tools
Reply:I ain't the guy to ask, but I run it higher than needed and reduce to what i need via my thumb control.  Probably isn't the way to do it on precision stuff, but for the farm stuff, and artsy fartsy stuff I make for my family/friends it works just fine.Millermatic 135Syncrowave 250
Reply:Hello fortyonethirty, I believe there are several trains of thought to cover your question. Setting the amperage to the appropriate level and then mashing the pedal all the way down is common practice for many folks who are welding on set parts where the thicknesses don't vary appreciably or the required heats are very even. Others might set the machine slightly higher than the required amperage and then use the foot pedal to fine-tune the required heat. By using only a slightly higher setting than that required, the movement on the foot pedal/remote will yield a more precise adjustment than setting the machine wide-open and then using the pedal for heat control. Remotes have a certain range of motion so setting the highest required heat and then using the pedal to fine tune it will generally yield the best control of the arc if you are using lower and then higher heats during your welding cycles. Hope my answer makes sense. Best regards, Allanaevald
Reply:What Allen said.Setting my output (on the machine) just slightly higher than I need, and fine tuning with the pedal/fingertip gives me much "finer" control of the arc.Syncro 250 DX Dynasty 200 DXMM 251 w/30A SG XMT 304 w/714 Feeder & Optima PulserHH187Dialarc 250 AC/DCHypertherm PM 1250Smith, Harris, Victor O/ASmith and Thermco Gas MixersAccess to a full fab shop with CNC Plasma, Water Jet, etc.
Reply:Since i have a small ac tig, I usually run aluminum with the machine wide open and pedal it where it needs to be.  On steel and stainless, I usually run just a bit higher than needed (more than 1 amp per 1/1000" metal thickeness) and pedal it.MM350P/Python/Q300MM175/Q300DialarcHFHTP MIG200PowCon300SMHypertherm380ThermalArc185Purox oaF350CrewCab4x4LoadNGo utilitybedBobcat250XMT304/Optima/SpoolmaticSuitcase12RC/Q300Suitcase8RC/Q400Passport/Q300Smith op
Reply:I'm never one to set the machine, then mash the pedal, unless it is something where I could use a bit more machine, and the pedal is mashed to give me all I've got.  I primarily TIG aluminum sheet - mostly .090 stuff, with a handful of .125 thrown in.  Machine is a 185 amp inverter.  Maxing the machine and fine tuning with the pedal would put the pedal at just over halfway, and the slightest variance in my foot position will yeild a somewhat drastic change.  Instead, I give myself 10 or so amps more than I should need, then fine tune with the pedal.  Some pedals are more forgiving than others.  The pedal on the TA-185 I'm currently using is more of a glorified on/off switch (my only complaint with the machine) - just not enough travel to really fine tune with the machine wide open.  I think DesertRider is using the same machine, so I was surprised to hear his response, unless he's using a different pedal.  Could just be that he has better dexterity in his foot than I've got.Who is John Galt?
Reply:This is pretty much what I expected. I should clarify that I do not always set the machine to full power (which is 400 amps arrgh arrgh arrgh), but generally I like it set about 50% more than I need.  I use a finger control and find that it's easier to maintain a chosen setting than a foot pedal since it doesn't spring back. Sometimes I pulse the throttle to get a nice "beaded" appearance when fusing without filler, when doing this I think the peaks are much hotter than what would be necessary with constant amperage.I remeber using a friends welder (Lincoln 300/300) when I was first learning, and on that machine the prefered setup was about 10% more than needed then tuned with the pedal. It had a really nice foot pedal.Last edited by fortyonethirty; 07-29-2010 at 07:04 PM.Ian TannerKawasaki KX450 and many other fine tools
Reply:I have a Miller 330A/BP..It will go to 435 amps...99% of the time it's on "Kill"..If I am doing something real small then I will cut it down to around 40% on the dial but it stays on "Hi Range"...It's all in the PEDAL....zap!I am not completely insane..Some parts are missing Professional Driver on a closed course....Do not attempt.Just because I'm a  dumbass don't mean that you can be too.So DON'T try any of this **** l do at home.
Reply:Originally Posted by bassboy1 Some pedals are more forgiving than others.  The pedal on the TA-185 I'm currently using is more of a glorified on/off switch (my only complaint with the machine) - just not enough travel to really fine tune with the machine wide open.  I think DesertRider is using the same machine, so I was surprised to hear his response, unless he's using a different pedal.  Could just be that he has better dexterity in his foot than I've got.