Home |
Search |
Today's Posts |
|
Metalworking (rec.crafts.metalworking) Discuss various aspects of working with metal, such as machining, welding, metal joining, screwing, casting, hardening/tempering, blacksmithing/forging, spinning and hammer work, sheet metal work. |
Reply |
|
LinkBack | Thread Tools | Display Modes |
#1
|
|||
|
|||
Fingertip or foot pedal tig?
Does anyone have a recommendation to learn TIG welding with fingertip
or foot pedal control? Planning on buying the Miller Dynasty 200DX, but need to determine to buy fingertip or foot pedal control. Thanks! |
#3
|
|||
|
|||
Fingertip or foot pedal tig?
|
#4
|
|||
|
|||
Fingertip or foot pedal tig?
"Richard Coke" wrote in message ... From: (Luds) Does anyone have a recommendation to learn TIG welding with fingertip or foot pedal control? I think that learning is easier with a foot pedal. You have a lot to learn with hand technique without the added problem of controlling heat with a fingertip control. Foot pedals are also more roubust and are intuitive to use. Just like the gas pedal on a car. They work well for most welding situations but there are some places where they can be very clumsy, difficult or downright impossible to use. Welding while lying on you back, in really confined places or on a ladder are some of the places where a fingertip control is the best way to go. Start with a pedal then get the hand control. Richard Coke I would agree with Richard on this. I couldn't image trying to learn TIG via fingertip control. There is a lot going on in the hand coordination arena. Lane |
#5
|
|||
|
|||
Fingertip or foot pedal tig?
Luds wrote:
Does anyone have a recommendation to learn TIG welding with fingertip or foot pedal control? Planning on buying the Miller Dynasty 200DX, but need to determine to buy fingertip or foot pedal control. I tried both when I first got my TIG and settled on torch mounted slider rather than a foot peddle. This was a0 years a go and I'm still glad I went that route. Ted |
#6
|
|||
|
|||
Fingertip or foot pedal tig?
In article , Luds
wrote: Does anyone have a recommendation to learn TIG welding with fingertip or foot pedal control? Planning on buying the Miller Dynasty 200DX, but need to determine to buy fingertip or foot pedal control. Thanks! Start with the footpedal. It is a bit easier to learn with, and is very useful for bench work. It can be used to trigger the sequencer as well, but is not so good for "out of position" welding, such as when your head is jammed under a car while you repair an exhaust pipe. The Dynasty 200DX comes with a sequencer built in. To best use this you will eventually want a simple button contactor. Not a slider or roller amptrol, just a button. The button is used to trigger the sequencer. First tap starts the sequence, second tap stops the sequence. You can build your own one-button contactor for about $30. I have them on all my torches, both for my Mastar 200DX Inverter and my Syncrowave 250DX. Sequencers make sheet metal seams much easier. |
#7
|
|||
|
|||
Fingertip or foot pedal tig?
Thank you for the replies!
May I also ask opinion on recommended setup? I need something portable, and I am looking at the below setup for welding sheetmetal to repair auto body/parts and would like to build a aluminum bicycle frame: Miller Dynasty 200DX Miller Contractor Kit Protective Case with carrying handle, DB1725R (25 ft) TIG torch, RFCS-14 HD foot control, International Style Torch Adapters, Regulator/Flowmeter, 200A Electrode Holder with 15 ft cable, 300A Work Clamp with 15 ft cable, 12 ft Gas Hose, AK-2 Torch accessory kit, Gas hose coupler. 40cu ft tank w/ Argon (Rent or buy???) Tungsten electrodes Tig welding gloves? I have thick gloves for arc welding... Also have auto darkening helmet. Thanks, Luds |
#8
|
|||
|
|||
Fingertip or foot pedal tig?
Ernie Leimkuhler wrote in message ...
In article , Luds wrote: Does anyone have a recommendation to learn TIG welding with fingertip or foot pedal control? Planning on buying the Miller Dynasty 200DX, but need to determine to buy fingertip or foot pedal control. Thanks! Start with the footpedal. It is a bit easier to learn with, and is very useful for bench work. It can be used to trigger the sequencer as well, but is not so good for "out of position" welding, such as when your head is jammed under a car while you repair an exhaust pipe. The Dynasty 200DX comes with a sequencer built in. To best use this you will eventually want a simple button contactor. Not a slider or roller amptrol, just a button. The button is used to trigger the sequencer. First tap starts the sequence, second tap stops the sequence. You can build your own one-button contactor for about $30. I have them on all my torches, both for my Mastar 200DX Inverter and my Syncrowave 250DX. Sequencers make sheet metal seams much easier. I'll have to read up on the sequencer. Is this feature built-in to any of the tourch add-ons? How did you build your one-button contactor? Thanks, Luds |
#9
|
|||
|
|||
Fingertip or foot pedal tig?
Are there cheaper kits or configurations other than this one offered
by Miller, or is this a good deal at $530ish? Miller Contractor Kit with RFCS-14HD ALL-IN-ONE Accessory Kit Kit includes: Protective Case with carrying handle, DB1725R (25 ft) TIG torch, RFCS-14 HD foot control, International Style Torch Adapters, Regulator/Flowmeter, 200A Electrode Holder with 15 ft cable, 300A Work Clamp with 15 ft cable, 12 ft Gas Hose, AK-2 Torch accessory kit, Gas hose coupler. =============================== Here is another setup for about $500 with the RFCS-14HD foot control added. This better way to go? Do you recommedn 150Amp torch instead of the 200Amp torch? Thanks... 200 Amp Air-Cooled TIG Torch Pkg.200 Amp Air-Cooled starter set comes complete with: Diamondback DB26R 200A, 25-foot TIG Torch Argon Flowmeter/Regulator 10' Gas hose 15' Ground cable with clamp TIG power block adapter TIG spare parts accessory kit TIG welding handbook |
#10
|
|||
|
|||
Fingertip or foot pedal tig?
In article , Luds
wrote: Thank you for the replies! May I also ask opinion on recommended setup? I need something portable, and I am looking at the below setup for welding sheetmetal to repair auto body/parts and would like to build a aluminum bicycle frame: Miller Dynasty 200DX Miller Contractor Kit Protective Case with carrying handle, DB1725R (25 ft) TIG torch, RFCS-14 HD foot control, International Style Torch Adapters, Regulator/Flowmeter, 200A Electrode Holder with 15 ft cable, 300A Work Clamp with 15 ft cable, 12 ft Gas Hose, AK-2 Torch accessory kit, Gas hose coupler. 40cu ft tank w/ Argon (Rent or buy???) Tungsten electrodes Tig welding gloves? I have thick gloves for arc welding... Also have auto darkening helmet. Thanks, Luds For what you want to do I feel the Thermal Arc Prowave 185TSW is the better machine, and is about $1000 cheaper than the Miller Dynasty 200DX. The Thermal arc machine comes complete ready to go. The Miller machine requires you to pay an additional amount for the contractor kit. $1700 versus $2700. Listen I love Miller machines. I have owned a series of them, and have 2 now, but...the Thermal Arc Prowave 185TSW is just too good of a deal to pass up. It does most of what the Dynasty does, and only penalizes you 15 amps at the top end. The one really good reason to buy the Dynasty is if you intend to do a lot of field welding in different locations and need to be able to operate off of any power available. That is the main reason I love my Miller Maxstar 200DX and have for 3 years now. I do a lot of field work, and I never know what voltage will be available. Miller's Autoline technology doesn't care. As long as the power is somewhere between 100 and 500 volts, single or 3 phase, it works. |
#11
|
|||
|
|||
Fingertip or foot pedal tig?
In article , Luds
wrote: Ernie Leimkuhler wrote in message ... In article , Luds wrote: Does anyone have a recommendation to learn TIG welding with fingertip or foot pedal control? Planning on buying the Miller Dynasty 200DX, but need to determine to buy fingertip or foot pedal control. Thanks! Start with the footpedal. It is a bit easier to learn with, and is very useful for bench work. It can be used to trigger the sequencer as well, but is not so good for "out of position" welding, such as when your head is jammed under a car while you repair an exhaust pipe. The Dynasty 200DX comes with a sequencer built in. To best use this you will eventually want a simple button contactor. Not a slider or roller amptrol, just a button. The button is used to trigger the sequencer. First tap starts the sequence, second tap stops the sequence. You can build your own one-button contactor for about $30. I have them on all my torches, both for my Mastar 200DX Inverter and my Syncrowave 250DX. Sequencers make sheet metal seams much easier. I'll have to read up on the sequencer. Is this feature built-in to any of the tourch add-ons? How did you build your one-button contactor? Thanks, Luds I went to a welding repair shop and bought a standard replacement button for plasma cutter torches, for $15. It is a small low profile rubber armored button. I then went to a electronics supplier and bought the correct Amphenol connector for my Miller , for $15. All I needed then was 25 feet of shielded 2 conductor wire, about $2. The wire and switch need to be insulated because of the high frequency leakage along the power cable. If you don't insulate the wire and switch you can get a nasty shock off the button. |
#12
|
|||
|
|||
Fingertip or foot pedal tig?
In article , Luds
wrote: Are there cheaper kits or configurations other than this one offered by Miller, or is this a good deal at $530ish? Miller Contractor Kit with RFCS-14HD ALL-IN-ONE Accessory Kit Kit includes: Protective Case with carrying handle, DB1725R (25 ft) TIG torch, RFCS-14 HD foot control, International Style Torch Adapters, Regulator/Flowmeter, 200A Electrode Holder with 15 ft cable, 300A Work Clamp with 15 ft cable, 12 ft Gas Hose, AK-2 Torch accessory kit, Gas hose coupler. =============================== Here is another setup for about $500 with the RFCS-14HD foot control added. This better way to go? Do you recommedn 150Amp torch instead of the 200Amp torch? Thanks... 200 Amp Air-Cooled TIG Torch Pkg.200 Amp Air-Cooled starter set comes complete with: Diamondback DB26R 200A, 25-foot TIG Torch Argon Flowmeter/Regulator 10' Gas hose 15' Ground cable with clamp TIG power block adapter TIG spare parts accessory kit TIG welding handbook If you plan on doing a lot of heavy aluminum, the larger torch will last longer before getting hot, but honestly if you really get into doing a lot of aluminum, you will want to set up a water cooled torch. |
#13
|
|||
|
|||
Fingertip or foot pedal tig?
From: Ernie Leimkuhler
honestly if you really get into doing a lot of aluminum, you will want to set up a water cooled torch. This is very true. In fact I'd recommend that you get a water cooled torch to begin with if you possibly can. Use it for all your bench/shop welding and only use a gas cooled torch in the field. The cooling water can be supplied by the city or from a water cooling tank/pump unit. Water cooled torches are much more comfortable to use for extended periods of time and are easier to use in confined places since they are smaller for a given amp capacity. Richard Coke |
#14
|
|||
|
|||
Fingertip or foot pedal tig?
Richard Coke wrote:
From: Ernie Leimkuhler honestly if you really get into doing a lot of aluminum, you will want to set up a water cooled torch. This is very true. In fact I'd recommend that you get a water cooled torch to begin with if you possibly can. Use it for all your bench/shop welding and only use a gas cooled torch in the field. The cooling water can be supplied by the city or from a water cooling tank/pump unit. Water cooled torches are much more comfortable to use for extended periods of time and are easier to use in confined places since they are smaller for a given amp capacity. Richard Coke How much bulk and weight does water cooling add to the torch and hose ? Ken Cutt |
#15
|
|||
|
|||
Fingertip or foot pedal tig?
In article , Ken Cutt
wrote: Richard Coke wrote: From: Ernie Leimkuhler honestly if you really get into doing a lot of aluminum, you will want to set up a water cooled torch. This is very true. In fact I'd recommend that you get a water cooled torch to begin with if you possibly can. Use it for all your bench/shop welding and only use a gas cooled torch in the field. The cooling water can be supplied by the city or from a water cooling tank/pump unit. Water cooled torches are much more comfortable to use for extended periods of time and are easier to use in confined places since they are smaller for a given amp capacity. Richard Coke How much bulk and weight does water cooling add to the torch and hose ? Ken Cutt None. It ends up about the same. Air cooled torch cables have to be made larger to deal with the heat. Water cooled torch cables can be smaller because of the water cooling. The water-in line, and gas line are seperate, and the water-out line is the power conductor. So three smaller cables instead of one larger gas-power line. |
#16
|
|||
|
|||
Fingertip or foot pedal tig?
From: Ken Cutt
How much bulk and weight does water cooling add to the torch and hose ? A water cooled torch is smaller than an equivalent gas cooled one. I have one water cooled torch from CNI that I really like that is very compact. The hoses are about the same. The power conductor is smaller because it is cooled by the water flow out of the head but you have additional lines for the water and gas supply. The gas hose is less than 1/4" OD the water supply and power lead/water return are slightly over 1/4" OD for a 200 A torch. I use a heat resistant sleeve over mine because I have paid the price for not using one. In terms of overall bulk and stiffness in the hose set it's about the same as for a gas cooled cable but the torch is much more comfortable to use. When I had a shop in Brooklyn the welders had cooling units on them that ran when the welder was on but now I just have a home shop with one welder and I use house water run through the solenoid valve and the drain waters my garden or trees The flow rate is around a pint per minute IIRC. In my opinion water cooled is the only way to go unless you just absolutely can't get water to the welder. Richard Coke |
#17
|
|||
|
|||
Fingertip or foot pedal tig?
Richard Coke wrote:
From: Ken Cutt How much bulk and weight does water cooling add to the torch and hose ? A water cooled torch is smaller than an equivalent gas cooled one. I have one water cooled torch from CNI that I really like that is very compact. The hoses are about the same. The power conductor is smaller because it is cooled by the water flow out of the head but you have additional lines for the water and gas supply. The gas hose is less than 1/4" OD the water supply and power lead/water return are slightly over 1/4" OD for a 200 A torch. I use a heat resistant sleeve over mine because I have paid the price for not using one. In terms of overall bulk and stiffness in the hose set it's about the same as for a gas cooled cable but the torch is much more comfortable to use. When I had a shop in Brooklyn the welders had cooling units on them that ran when the welder was on but now I just have a home shop with one welder and I use house water run through the solenoid valve and the drain waters my garden or trees The flow rate is around a pint per minute IIRC. In my opinion water cooled is the only way to go unless you just absolutely can't get water to the welder. Richard Coke Pays to ask . I would have thought exactly the opposite otherwise Ken Cutt |
Reply |
Thread Tools | Search this Thread |
Display Modes | |
|
|
Similar Threads | ||||
Thread | Forum | |||
Need resistor value for Hobart TR250-HF foot pedal | Metalworking | |||
Anyone know where I can find pedal car plans | Metalworking |