Finger Tig Controls

[Ed in Ga]

Is it just me? I find the foot pedal awkward to use even with my size 12 bigfoot. Too much angle and too much travel. Are the finger controls easier or just a matter of preference?
Thanks,
Ed

[Guest]

It all depends on what you are doing.....I work in aircraft and industrial maintenance... for aircraft most of the welds are not much bigger than .100" wide and for that the foot pedal is a must cause I can't afford to have my hand moving around...has to be rock stready, on the other hand, there are some places you can't use a foot pedal too good, like when you're laying down under a machine...then a hand control is necessary. I use the foot pedal 99% of the time....I let the young weldors do the under machine stuff.

[vwparts]

My Tigmate came with the finger contol. I've often thought that it makes the torch a little bulky and hard to get a good hand on while still being able adjust the amperage. However, I would still choose it over the foot control. Just one person's oppinion.

[Scott V]

I just picked up a $225.00 lincoln slider for $35.00 for my engine drive,and my powermig.It is worth $35.00 but no more to me.The torch is huge,and so is the slider,but I can always use it for remote voltage control for other things.I been using a button for dc welding,and using the upslope- downslope.The foot pedal is first,and then the button,and pulling up the rear is the hand slider.By the way the button is way ahead of the slider for me.I also have a small CK slider for my Thermal tig.It stays in my tool box where it belongs.

[Arbo]

For the little bit of tig I have done, it's like driving a car. Keep the steering wheel in my hand (tig torch) and the accelerator (amptrol) under my foot. For me anything different would be like driving while standing on my head.

[Scott V]

Arbo/that works fine if you don't drive your car with a lead foot!

[cope]

Originally posted by Scott V
I just picked up a $225.00 lincoln slider for $35.00 for my engine drive,and my powermig.It is worth $35.00 but no more to me.The torch is huge,and so is the slider,but I can always use it for remote voltage control for other things.I been using a button for dc welding,and using the upslope- downslope.The foot pedal is first,and then the button,and pulling up the rear is the hand slider.By the way the button is way ahead of the slider for me.I also have a small CK slider for my Thermal tig.It stays in my tool box where it belongs.

I picked up a brand new (15 year old ) one for my PowCon from Ebay. Paid around $22 for it. New model from Arc Products runs $295. I may never add TIG to my machine, but I can use it for stick anyway, and the cost was minimal. Makes you wonder where people come up with this stuff; the guy had another one as well.