I just saw one good tip in the TIG welding section of wrapping the lead around your arm - I'll try that tonight :-)
Double-sided velcro strap from a garden centre or craft shop. Strap the cable to your arm and the torch becomes lighter since you don't have to lift the cable with your wrist?
Hi,
I'm really strugling with this now. I was fine with thicker flat material, but this exhaust is becoming a real challenge and very difficult!
I was using a no 5 ceramic and a blue 2.4mm tungsten. I've just ordered a 1.6mm ceriated tungsten and no 7 cermaic to see if that helps and makes things easier.
Paul.
This is one of those things where there'll be a million different ways to do it, and you'll find yourself which one's suit you.
I'm very new to TIG too, and I think I've go t a WP26 torch (medium-large size?) - whereas some recommend a smaller torch for the finer work. (Think WP17 Torch is good for 150 amps, WP9 - about 90?? Not sure, I might have just dreamt that)
I do find putting the lead over my shoulder or at least wrapped around my forearm helps a lot. I spend more time trying to position the work to make access easy and haven't really had to weld out of position yet. Getting it right includes normally finding something to rest my elbow or forearm on.
I'm sure you do it already but I also do a few dry runs to check I can get to where I need to do and try and get torch angle and distance right.
Lastly - foot pedal. I bought one, and had started welding before the new machine without a pedal. Got the pedal and marvelled at how easy it was to control the heat input. Then realised I needed full pedal for what I was welding a lot (3mm mild steel) so decided to just set the amps on the machine, slope up and slope down and just use the trigger. I found this better at the moment, it's one less variable to worry about and my right foot/leg can be a good steady to lean on if the welds at a lower height.
Hope this helps. Practice in front of the telly (but only actually bring the welder in and plug it in if the wife is out ALL EVENING)
To support the torch lead try a skyhook