Welding Tips and Tricks

I am not the most hands stable guy out there. One reason I like walking the cup is that there is a constant good/solid prop for the torch. I tried something different tonight while welding some stainless....... whole doing the typical stop/dip technique instead of just letting the torch just hang there I put the cup down against the weld........sort of hopping it.............anyone ever do this ???

Yes - this can be a helpful technique to improve stability. I try to position the tungsten so the cup can bump or rest on the work without getting into the puddle. I also agree with your comment on walking the cup - it provides operator stability so you can get consistent welds, all day long. I use whatever technique works for the job - and have even positioned clamps to rest on for added stability, especially when welding in an odd position or overhead.

I often teach people how to weld like that. I will get them to rest the cup on the joint or on a starter plate at the end of one, ready, aim, fire. Then advance them one tack on tack at a time until they get a rythm.

I find sometimes the friction of the cup on the joint causes it to move in a jerky action, so unless i can slide along the metal and not the joint, i tend to slide my hand along instead.
I've even attacked the bench with the grinder to give me a smooth surface to do this.