Thumb control or foot pedal ?

[racerx]

Which one you all prefer when welding on a welding table when controlling your amps?

[H80N]

Which one you all prefer when welding on a welding table when controlling your amps?

I have both.... but prefer the pedal for most conitions....

the finger controls become really valuable in the awkward positions where your feet don't touch the ground... like inside a car upside down Tigging a cage...

[Michael ray]

Both!!! I got my finger control/contact the day after I taped my pedal to the head rest of a car...upside down tigging under a dash....it was tough to do especially since I had 2 people making fun of my pedal location while I was trying to work

[MMW]

When table welding I prefer a foot control as it seems more precise & just plain easier to use. I do have two finger controls, east/west & north/south but have never been able to master them. I only use them when I absolutely have to.

I'm sure it is just personal preference & what you learned on.

[racerx]

it seems to me that it's almost imposable with the thumb control when wearing gloves with the finger on the trigger and trying to roll the little wheel to regulate the amps.

[gnforge]

I have both but agree with MMW could never master thumb control. Hardly ever use. <br />
Foot control 99% of time. <br />
If I could only have one would be hands down foot.

[ryanjones2150]

Foot pedal. I even prefer holding the foot pedal between my knees like a thigh master when upside down under a dash welding a roll cage like h80n mentioned. I rarely use my thumb control for anything other than taking up space in my carrying case for the 150 STH.

[Michael ray]

With a potentiometer and a little creative thinking you could make one and control it with almost anything.. good idea on the thigh master style. I like my east west wheel. I cut the finger pad off the right hand glove for easier control. I learned to tig with that style and personally I don't like the pedal. I heard of one guy that had some serious medical issues. Lost use of 3 or maybe all 4 limbs and he was a hobby welder if I remember correctly. I think I read that he used a custom rac that he bit down on to turn on and up. Hated to hear that in one way but glad to hear him still trying to do something.

[Michael ray]

Best to have a couple different options for awkward situations. Might be able to tag team it...get a buddy to watch your puddle and control the amps while you work the torch and rod...might be possible if you have a friend that can weld and help. It'd have to be a pretty good friend I guess to be able to watch the puddle and know your next move, the kind of friend that thinks the same way you do...I've only had 1 friend like that....maybe he'll straighten out and clean up one day and get back to a normal life...**** drugs!!!

[ryanjones2150]

I find it extremely difficult to keep the torch steady and operate the thumb control. I'd almost rather scratch start. <br />
<br />
There was a guy that posted on here a few weeks ago about this fancy thumb control doodad he found and, if I remember right, it was completely different in operation than the normal ones. Pretty much a push button start and stop but it had a few more positions to it. Looked pretty cool, if anyone knows the link to it.

[Michael ray]

I rigged this one to my millers. Had same value on the ohm meter as my genuine miller. Think this came with a thermal arc or something..found on ebay for 54 dollars

[Michael ray]

[racerx]

I rigged this one to my millers. Had same value on the ohm meter as my genuine miller. Think this came with a thermal arc or something..found on ebay for 54 dollars

Nice score....is that one of the flex heads?seem s that will be handy for a 360 degree welding.

[MMW]

I always wondered why nobody ever made a torch with a controller like the old slot car controllers? Squeeze trigger to vary the amps.

[Michael ray]

It is a flexible head. The wire sheath is on a ball and socket. It's movement is only about 20 degrees...still helps in tight spots. Squeeze trigger is a good idea. I may attempt to find a trigger out of a drill or Nintendo....something has to work somehow