Hand control ?? hard to use.......

[jevs]

I finally got my Dynsaty 200DX with the contractors kit. I chose the hand control because I figured I may need to get into some spots where I can't keep a foot on a box. I am not sure which way this is supposed to be mounted on the torch. The manual is terrible because it doesn't even show the head of the torch, so you have no idea of where it is supposed to be positioned or how to hold it etc. I have tried it on the back of the handle and on the front of the handle. Either way it is too hard to actually use much while welding. It takes multiple rolls to get from the highest to the lowest amperage. I also cannot roll it back down from top amperage to lowest in order to shut the torch off at the end of a weld. It just takes too long and its so hard that my arc goes everywhere when trying, so I have been just lifting the arc off while it is still going then rolling the potentiometer to the off position. This is making it tough for me to learn TIG welding. So far I really haven't made a decent weld. Is there a better hand control than this? Why dont they use a spring loaded trigger or something? I am trying to teach myself TIG welding and I don't know anyone around that can do it to show me how. Would I be better off to just set the machine to use the hand control as an on off switch and just use a set amperage? So far I just don't like the way the thing feels, it is akward and hard to use. Anyone have any pictures of how you have yours mounted? Any advice is appreciated.

[Ernie Viens]

controller

I use the thumb controller for welding chromemolly tubing on aircraft. I have the north south controller and it takes some getting use to but practice makes perfect.Hold the torch with your right hand and scroll the controller with your thumb also you might try to use HF starts it will be much easier to get things going.The other thing that might help is an auto darkening helment that has improved my welding more than anything else.
Good Luck Ernie

[Paul Seaman]

Using the hand control as an on/off would help and hinder here is whyhelp by only giving you the preset amperagebut that is also the hinderance if you get going in tig and the puddle starts widening you can roll off the amperage slightly until it all starts to move right again then carry on at a new setting slightly off the previous setting. The real answer is practice unfortunatly this is the more difficult process to learn.

On the miller home page there is a tig manual it may give some hints that I am not aware of, I prefer the foot pedal but when I get better at it I'll switch to a thumb wheel.

Still learning this myself!!!
Practice,practice,practice,

[Sundown]

Same here, my Maxstar came with a hand controller and I tried it for awhile until I just got so frustrated (the wheel on mine is very stiff [normal Y/N ?] and hard to use with gloves on) that I purchased the foot controller. Things are better now and I will go back to learn to use the hand controller, but only after I am confortable with the tig process. Then I think only in places where the use of the foot controller is not possible.

[ASKANDY]

jevs,
There is no set way to put that unit on the torch. You can put it anyway you are comfortable. Some put it on the side and use thier thumb, or on top and use a finger. There is no doubt that the hand control is harder for most people to get used to. There's enough stuff to do with your hands AND try to control the machine output without moving the torch. It will take practice and if you are a beginner, it may pay to get a foot control too and get used to the machine first, then move into the hand control.

Good luck!

Andy

[Leons2003]

I pruchased a thumb control at the time pruchased my mighty Econotig a couple of yrs.ago and I have yet to use the thing, some kind of awkward for me to use either thumb or finger. I know nothing of north/south, east/west or what ever these little honeys are called. Can not see how I can roll the wheel and stay still enough to maintain an arc where it should be, the thing is also I've never watched anyone use one, was suggested by a friend who has been in tiggin numerious yrs. but since has moved out of the area.
Any help is appreciated and thanks in advance.
L*S

[jevs]

I am getting the hang of it. Here is what I came up with..... Forget bulky welding gloves. Find something thin. Turn the amperage way up on the machine so you dont have to roll the wheel three times to get full current. So far so good using this advice. I was getting decent at it till I ran out of gas

[GaryM]

I use my hand control often. When i am inside a tank sometimes laying in a area just big enough for me and the torch that is only way to go.

It all take lots of practice and more practice.


Gary

[ASKANDY]

I guess I assumed everyone is using thin gloves for TIG work. If you are using a thick glove that is used for MIG or Stick welding, that is way too bulky to handle not only the control but the filler rod also. It would be very hard to roll or feed the filler using thick gloves.

Keep practicing. Good luck

Andy

[jevs]

Picked up some thinner gloves, a larger bottle of gas and some stainless rod. I will hopefully get to play some more soon.

[Wheat]

Jevs,

Try to keep some gloves on. The light is stronger and the duration is more with Tig welding. I'm not going to preach the dangers of skin cancer....Goat skin gloves get favorable responses. Good luck with your new Tig.

[joebass]

I usually use the 24D or 24C gloves for TIG and some light MIG. I have also used the leather backed 20 gloves for thicker Aluminum where it gets hot.

http://www.jtillman.com/search/gloves.html

Some times if I am feeding a .035 or.045 rod I will use no glove on my feed hand. These gloves won't stand up to heavy abuse and only last me about a month or so, but are really nice to use.

[DEA]

I think the bigest problem with the Miller finger tip controller(I have one)is the cable.It's as stiff as 14-2 house wiring
Beside that is hard for me to get used to

[wrench3047]

Does any one make a trigger to mount to the handle? You would have to hold the torch like a MIG gun but if someone with the parts and know how... Maybe it would work better for some people.

PS I wouldn't mind a finders fee if anyone makes money off the idea

[Paul Seaman]

Wrench:
Yes, it has been done I have a picture of one in my tig book. It is made by J&K welding co. It looks like a clamp on trigger. I'll look for a source and let you know.
Peace,