Thanks Snowy. I'd not realised vertical down is a dodgy one. Basically you'd recommend the first pass (root) being dipped and any subsequent pass you could get away with the speedier cup method.
Yep stick with free hand welding Archie, you can phaff with WTC once free hand has been mastered. Bit of advice tho, if you seriously want to master both, purchase a flexi head for tig torch, much easier adapting tig head angles for WTC around welds, especially pipe.
Cheers...........