Simple TIG procedural Q

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I have a lincoln precision tig 225.   I havent yet tried to TIG anything.  I was reading that some people recommend not using the foot control to eliminate that extra complication at first.  My question is this.  If i dont use the foot control when does the arc start and how is gas flow on/off controlled?  I dont have a torch on/off remote or amptrol device.   Total NOOBSAUCE question I know but you gotta learn somehow.
Reply:If you machine doesnt have a "lift arc, or scratch start" TIG feature, then you wont be able to strike a arc. My sycrowave doesnt have that feature so you have to use the pedal, but my maxstar has the lift arc feature.But if you worried about not having to fiddle with the pedal, just set the amps at a temp low enough where you can just stomp the pedal to the floor and keep it there. I would run dry welds with the pedal stomped w/o filler, then try with the pedal stomped and filler. The more you do it the more you will see when the puddle is getting too hot and then you have the pedal where you can back off a little.
Reply:You need a torch with a manual gas valve on it and a power block, but honestly its probably harder to learn doing it that way.  Just use the pedal and be done with it, thousands of people have learned that way.Have we all gone mad?
Reply:The goal is to eventually work on a sand rail frame.  That will put me in precarious positions where a foor pedal is useless.  Hand amptrol for thiose cases or is the arc start switch good enough?
Reply:Just need a switch to close the contactor on the power supply which energizes the electrode for scratch start (or lift start), and activates the gas solenoid valve for shield gas flow.  Generally pins A & B are the contactor, check your manual.
Reply:The PT225 uses either the pedal or a manual thumb switch to start the arc. Use the pedal as you will find it very handy to have. If you think it is going to give you some trouble learning, then just set the amps where you want it and push the pedal to the floor and hold it there until you are done welding.Miller DVI2Lincoln Precision Tig 225Thermodynamics Cutmaster 38Everything else needed.