TIG Welding on the Floor?

[kraythax]

I am getting into tig welding and wondering if there were some tips to welding on the floor. I have a Primeweld 225x and I was wondering if I really need to use a hand amptrol to make this viable. Any tips from seasoned pros? Putting the long beams on any kind of table is just not viable.

[12V71]

I am getting into tig welding and wondering if there were some tips to welding on the floor. I have a Primeweld 225x and I was wondering if I really need to use a hand amptrol to make this viable. Any tips from seasoned pros? Putting the long beams on any kind of table is just not viable.

I've used my knee or elbow on the pedal... Seriously. But if you're doing steel, go MIG, you'll get more done.

[kraythax]

I've used my knee or elbow on the pedal... Seriously. But if you're doing steel, go MIG, you'll get more done.

Meh, not a production shop dependent on speed. And I like TIG better, except when crawling on the floor. Just getting used to a push button amptrol

[Munkul]

Never used a foot pedal with TIG (apart from trying out a machine once) - torch buttons and properly set up slopes on the machine work well for nearly everything

[William McCormick]

I am getting into tig welding and wondering if there were some tips to welding on the floor. I have a Primeweld 225x and I was wondering if I really need to use a hand amptrol to make this viable. Any tips from seasoned pros? Putting the long beams on any kind of table is just not viable.

The only time I used a torch control for TIG was when I was welding stainless steel bow rails on a boat in the water, and the person that wanted them welded loaned me the machine. It was ok but after you use a pedal a lot, you can weld with a pedal on a ladder or on the ground. I use the side of my foot if I have to be on my stomach. Anything else and I use it normally, laying on your side you just use it normally.

Sincerely,

William McCormick

[shovelon]

Never used a foot pedal with TIG (apart from trying out a machine once) - torch buttons and properly set up slopes on the machine work well for nearly everything

I used a button on a day job. I got drunk that night and bought an amptrol. Took a few days for the crick in my neck to go away.

Best amptrol hands down is the SSC finger4. Cheap too. I one for Miller, and one for Lincoln.

[Munkul]

I used a button on a day job. I got drunk that night and bought an amptrol. Took a few days for the crick in my neck to go away.

Best amptrol hands down is the SSC finger4. Cheap too. I one for Miller, and one for Lincoln.

crick in your neck? From what? lol

seriously though, I've been through loads of fab and welding shop visits in the last few years, in the UK, and I've have never seen a foot pedal in sight... maybe on dedicated aluminium jobs (although our aluminium sheet metal guys don't bother with them either)

I got a Lincoln amptrol-button combo for one of our lincolns, the welder who uses the machine says he occasionally uses it... lol

[Capt B]

I've done quite a bit of welding inside aluminum boats with the pedal between my legs.

[kraythax]

crick in your neck? From what? lol

seriously though, I've been through loads of fab and welding shop visits in the last few years, in the UK, and I've have never seen a foot pedal in sight... maybe on dedicated aluminium jobs (although our aluminium sheet metal guys don't bother with them either)

I got a Lincoln amptrol-button combo for one of our lincolns, the welder who uses the machine says he occasionally uses it... lol

Which hand amptrol are they using? I am guessing they know what is good and what isnt . I have a button that came with my torch but its primitive.

[albrightree]

Tack weld everything you can on the floor, then put it on saw horses, or stands to finish welding. You'll do a much better job if its in a comfortable position.

I'm pretty sure the Primeweld has all the 4t settings available for you to tack together with just a torch switch. Did the primeweld come with a finger switch or torch mounted amptrol, or just the foot pedal ?

Even if you want to TIG the structure , it would save a lot of back bending to tack it together with MIG, or 6011 (stick) . You can grind the tacks back a little, and TIG right over them, no one would ever know. Post some pic's when you get it tacked.

Good luck

[Munkul]

Which hand amptrol are they using? I am guessing they know what is good and what isnt . I have a button that came with my torch but its primitive.

https://www.lincolnelectric.com/asse...ochure-eng.pdf

One of these (potentiometer unit)

On my own machine, used for part-time business, I have this torch



Used for repetitive jobs paid by the unit, it's superb. Dial in two programs to get exactly what I want, save them as jobs, and switch between them in job mode on the torch. Saves time, ups quality. In amp mode, it does what it says on the tin.

[mrmikey]

When I worked at a welding shop 30 years ago, never had a remote control other than on and off. Welded aluminum and s/s rails, some aluminum 6" piping and made loads of repairs in everything from engine blocks to whathave you. That and I walked uphill to work.....both ways :-) ......Mike

[shovelon]

crick in your neck? From what? lol

seriously though, I've been through loads of fab and welding shop visits in the last few years, in the UK, and I've have never seen a foot pedal in sight... maybe on dedicated aluminium jobs (although our aluminium sheet metal guys don't bother with them either)

I got a Lincoln amptrol-button combo for one of our lincolns, the welder who uses the machine says he occasionally uses it... lol

Yeah a crick in neck from shaking in disbelief on every weld coupled with frustration.

Modern tig machines have remote contactor and remote current controls. On thin alum the amptrol is vital to start a puddle quick with full amps and while tootling along reduce amps on the fly. Otherwise undo canning and warpage gives me trouble. And I like to taper off amps at the end to prevent crater cracks. I am an old aerospace guy that just learned that way. I am sure buttons work for you but I am too old to learn something new.

To me the SSC amptrol is too cool for school.

[G-ManBart]

I used a button on a day job. I got drunk that night and bought an amptrol. Took a few days for the crick in my neck to go away.

Best amptrol hands down is the SSC finger4. Cheap too. I one for Miller, and one for Lincoln.

I'm a big fan of SSC products, but that looks awful...it's huge and looks awkward. Having 25% increment steps seems limiting as well.

The TIG Button amptrol looks 80% smaller and doesn't have steps....infinite like a pedal. I think that's worth the extra $100 or so.

https://www.6061.com/tigbutton.htm

[shovelon]

I'm a big fan of SSC products, but that looks awful...it's huge and looks awkward. Having 25% increment steps seems limiting as well.

The TIG Button amptrol looks 80% smaller and doesn't have steps....infinite like a pedal. I think that's worth the extra $100 or so.

https://www.6061.com/tigbutton.htm

Works like a charm for me and does not require any peripheral power input. The separate power source was a deal breaker for me. That and the SSC costs some $140 shipped from a member here.

[walker]

On steel you can simply not use a remote and scratch start.

[tapwelder]

I like my touch 4. Movement / positions is almost imperceptible. Feels continuous.

I suspect any hand controller is better than carrying a foot pedal/extra cord around a car chassis. Over, under, untwist, unwrap, need more cord....

[Oscar]

On steel you can simply not use a remote and scratch start.

Care to wager on that?

[tapwelder]

Care to wager on that?

What are the stakes?


Lots of tig machines will not even accept remotes. I don't use one in the field.

[walker]

Care to wager on that?

On whether or not it can be done? Sure, I did it for years.

On whether or not the OP can do it on what I am assuming is a cheap chinese welder? Not so much.

[walker]

The machine has stick mode, so with a manual G/V torch head it should be fairly easy to do.

[kraythax]

Tack weld everything you can on the floor, then put it on saw horses, or stands to finish welding. You'll do a much better job if its in a comfortable position.

I'm pretty sure the Primeweld has all the 4t settings available for you to tack together with just a torch switch. Did the primeweld come with a finger switch or torch mounted amptrol, or just the foot pedal ?

Even if you want to TIG the structure , it would save a lot of back bending to tack it together with MIG, or 6011 (stick) . You can grind the tacks back a little, and TIG right over them, no one would ever know. Post some pic's when you get it tacked.

Good luck

It comes with a button that I have gotten used to now. I spent half ofg yesterday on the floor. The stuff i will be welding is too big to put on a table anyway.

And its not made in china :P

[shovelon]

And its not made in china :P

Well that is a start. Where is is made?

[kraythax]

Pennsylvania

Great support. Called asked which wheel amptrol was compatible and they volunteered to send me one for free in 2 days.

Love this rig. Primeweld TIG 225X rocks and no, I dont work for them.

Oddly I find welding on my belly actually gives me a decent puddle view. Just need some gel elbow pads.

[shovelon]

Pennsylvania

Great support. Called asked which wheel amptrol was compatible and they volunteered to send me one for free in 2 days.

Love this rig. Primeweld TIG 225X rocks and no, I dont work for them.

Oddly I find welding on my belly actually gives me a decent puddle view. Just need some gel elbow pads.

I've heard good things about Primeweld.