I finally connected my new foot control,...the difference in the controllability is amazing! I don't believe I will be going back to the finger control anytime soon.

I've got a Milwaukee deep cut bandsaw and your idea is a great one. I think I will look real close at how you built yours and build one myself.

-Chuck

20 years ago I worked at Red Dog mine doing maintenance welding/fabrication during a mill shut down. I worked with a pipefitter who gave me some advice that vastly improved my welding,...he commented on vertical uphill, starts, and the way I hold the stinger. This is what he had to offer: 1. Hold th...

I think it was a bit longer than a millisecond for the eye to perceive it - but it should'nt do that ( obviously ) - I would think it's faulty or the sensitivity setting for the ambient light was set wrong - the solar panel keeps a lithium ( or 2 ) cells charged - when welding the arc strength will...

My son bought me a new Lincoln helmet with a 2x4 solar powered lens, but I may not have let it charge enough. I was welding yesterday, and shortly after I started my arc, the lens stopped protecting for about a millisecond, but it was enough to get my full attention. Happen three times during subseq...

I was welding in the 250-300 amp range on a wc torch (HFAC), and accidentally pinched the supply water line under the wheel of my creeper. In less than 30 seconds, I had this on the return/power line: GEDC1031.JPG And a shop full of smoke. Note the size of the power wire, on a torch rated for 250A ...

Cool!

Thanks for the responses guys

Fantastic idea!
Small aluminum tool boxes come to mind,....even a diamond plate truck tool box is possible. I worked in a couple of fab shops, and shearing and breaking the metal is the main thing that 'Homer Home Owner' cannot do in a home shop because of the expense.

A wireless mouth control, or chin control, would be pretty handy in tight situations when your are lying down. I have never seen one, but anything is possible. One thing that may get in the way of that, is if you chewed tobacco while using one,....could get messy.

Using a truck front end like that is a great idea John,...I like how is allows the trailer deck to be closer to the ground.

Chuck

Is it possible to weld with a liquid cooled torch with the coolant pump turned off without destroying the torch? Or, is it best to keep the pump on for even light amperage welds?

Chuck

Every day when I come home for lunch, I 'lite up' (per Jody) on some aluminum and or steel pieces using my finger control. I am getting the hang of this after a learning curve that didn't last too long. I still am looking forward to my foot control, however, my intent is to master both.

rake wrote:Welcome aboard, join the party!

Thanks! Kinda makes me think I'm back in a fab shop BSing with fellow welders once again.

that's ok. I just was guessing. just some friends of mine up there. ~John John, I worked in the Central Mining District many years ago as an operator for three different placer mining operations and one hard rock mine up on the Steese highway. Eagle Creek, Gold Dust Creek, and Fish Creek. Made a ve...

Thanks for all the input, this is great stuff! I will pick up a foot pedal tomorrow, and continue my quest of learning tig welding. I remember from 25 years ago, getting a tip from a guy regarding vertical stick up hill,..just that one statement from him made me a better welder, and I feel that thi...

AKweldshop wrote:Chuck,
You wouldn't by chance know a family by the name of Perso'n???

~John

No,..I sure don't John.

Thanks for all the input, this is great stuff! I will pick up a foot pedal tomorrow, and continue my quest of learning tig welding. I remember from 25 years ago, getting a tip from a guy regarding vertical stick up hill,..just that one statement from him made me a better welder, and I feel that this...

Chuck, You summed it up when you said the finger control causes unwanted movement. It has a place but for everyday use at a bench, I'll take a foot control any day. I have both and seldom use the finger control. I'm curious to know if anybody has tried the spring loaded ones from CK. They looked li...

I bought a new Dynasty 200 DX with a finger control, but I can see now that maybe a foot control would have served me better. It seems that moving the finger tip wheel back and forth leads to unwanted hand movement when I am trying to hold a steady hand. Any thoughts on foot control vs. finger contr...

AKweldshop wrote:Hey Chuck, Welcome to the forum!!!
I'm a little bit downstream from you, right in Palmer....
Welcome aboard!!!

~John

Thanks John,..I've been in the Palmer/Wasilla area many times when our son played high school baseball.

Mike wrote:Welcome to the forum Chuck.

Thanks Mike!

Chuck, Welcome to the Forum! What kind of machine did you get? Get us some pictures in the Tig section when you get started with the fun. -Jonathan Morning Jonathan, thank you I bought a Miller Dynasty 200 DX with a water cooled torch and finger tip control. I set it up and played with it a bit, no...

Hello from Fairbanks,...I've welded since I was 14, (stick and mig). Always wanted to learn tig, and now that I bought a tig welder, the fun starts. Welded in fab shops, operated heavy equipment for a lot of years, but now I sit in a nice clean office and there are times when I need to get some dirt...