Cheap foot pedal

[chriso]

I use a SIP P178HF DC TIG - it's extremely basic with only post flow.
It comes with a 17 torch that has a switch - I've bought a foot switch from Amazon and disconnected the torch switch - heaven !! - it allows me (novice) to have much more comfortable & relaxed grip on the torch.

Foot pedal is solidly made from aluminium and has a nice chunky switch - the switch is operated by the pedal's shaft which rotates - I will try to include amperage control when I have time.

Bargain at £12.

 

[zardoz]

So what function do you use this switch for ? and why is it superior to the thing it is replacing ? (sorry to be so dim but is it nearly 5am! )

 

[justmental]

using as switch instead of the trigger on torch.

 

[Paul-n]

Chriso

Nice find , is it easy to use ?

I have a RTech that has a torch mounted switch and find some times the torch cables are pulling the torch away from the position where I can reach the switch.

As it has no dedicated foot pedal it would be nice to have a foot alternative especially as I always weld sat at a table.

regards Paul

 

[LuckyXie]

I have also ever got one foot pedel that have the PEAK our current adjustment on the foot pedal that has knob control. Also,that is for sure the current can be changed from the Peak current to O.Very helpful tool to let welder work happiliy and easily.

 

[chriso]

Chriso

Nice find , is it easy to use ?

I have a RTech that has a torch mounted switch and find some times the torch cables are pulling the torch away from the position where I can reach the switch.

As it has no dedicated foot pedal it would be nice to have a foot alternative especially as I always weld sat at a table.

regards Paul

My machine only has two connections on the torch control line so I just 'plugged' the foot switch into them.
I just use whichever foot is convenient to operate it.

I'm very new to TIG and find the pedal makes things much more controllable - I can hold the gas cup rather than the torch handle.

I bought a clip on switch for the torch hoping that would be better than the built in switch but it wasn't.

I don't weld TIG anywhere but the bench so it's pedal for me now.

When I get time I'll work out how to mount a gear sector to the shaft and drive a pot to control current with hi/lo limit.

 

[BrokenBiker]

you hold the gas cup?

do your fingers not get hot after a while?

 

[chriso]

you hold the gas cup?

do your fingers not get hot after a while?

Not really - I mostly repair very small/tiny things which is why I bought a TIG machine - first thing I did with it was to weld two Stanley knife blades together.

I find TIG brazing extremely useful as that uses even less heat and as we are non structural is quite adequate for strength and seems to join most stuff together.

I use a gas lens which keeps the fingers a bit further away from the hot tungsten.

Gas lenses seem a bit of a no brainer these days as the cost is comparible to standard cups/collet bodies - I've just got 10 cups from Amazon for £8 and the lens bodies are £3.99 - since using them I can 'stick out' ridiculously and still have a clean tungsten and weld.

 

[Paul-n]

Chriso

This is the page from RTechs web site showing accessories for my WP17 torch:-

http://www.r-techwelding.co.uk/Welding_Consumables/TIG_Standard_Gas_Lens_Consumables_WP17-18-26

I assume for 1.6mm I need :-

Tig Welder Torch Collet 1.6mm
Gas Lens 1.6mm Std Body (WP17/18/26)
Tig Torch Standard Heatshield WP17/18/26
5/16 Standard Ceramic Gas Lens (WP17/18/26)
and/or
3/8 Standard Ceramic Gas Lens (WP17/18/26) or both ?

and if I want 3mm

Tig Welder Torch Collet 3.2mm
Gas Lens 3.2mm Std Body (WP17/18/26)
7/16 Standard Ceramic Gas Lens (WP17/18/26)
and/or
1/2 Standard Ceramic Gas Lens (WP17/18/26)

Is there some basic guidance for setting up a gas lens ?

are these prices reasonable ?

why would you need 10 cups ?

regards Paul

 

[Shox Dr]

Chriso
why would you need 10 cups ?

regards Paul

They come boxed in 10s.

I've broken less than a hand full of cups in the last 8yrs TIG welding. I guess it depends on how clumsy you are

 

[chriso]

Chriso

This is the page from RTechs web site showing accessories for my WP17 torch:-

http://www.r-techwelding.co.uk/Welding_Consumables/TIG_Standard_Gas_Lens_Consumables_WP17-18-26

I assume for 1.6mm I need :-

Tig Welder Torch Collet 1.6mm
Gas Lens 1.6mm Std Body (WP17/18/26)
Tig Torch Standard Heatshield WP17/18/26
5/16 Standard Ceramic Gas Lens (WP17/18/26)
and/or
3/8 Standard Ceramic Gas Lens (WP17/18/26) or both ?

and if I want 3mm

Tig Welder Torch Collet 3.2mm
Gas Lens 3.2mm Std Body (WP17/18/26)
7/16 Standard Ceramic Gas Lens (WP17/18/26)
and/or
1/2 Standard Ceramic Gas Lens (WP17/18/26)

Is there some basic guidance for setting up a gas lens ?

are these prices reasonable ?

why would you need 10 cups ?

regards Paul

I buy my supplies from Welding Torch Parts who are cheaper than Rtechs..

 

[Paul-n]

Chriso

Thanks for link , stuff ordered , seems I can use normal collets so that is one less bit to buy.

Paul

 

[chriso]

Chriso

Thanks for link , stuff ordered , seems I can use normal collets so that is one less bit to buy.

Paul

Only thing that's a bit confusing is the extra white insulator/heatshield/nozzle seal needed with a gas lens - looking at pictures like these - I found the fit better on my torch with the insulator mounted backwards.

I'm loving TIG - as complete beginners we are finding it extremely useful - we had to make what you might compare to a con rod with offsets in two axis's - not having any machining at hand we made it from 5 layers of 20mm x 3mm flat stock and a bench grinder - all TIG'ed up it came out really neat.
The broken part was aluminium but I couldn't get the boss to spring for an AC TIG so steel on DC it is

He's happy though as the machine is not only obsolete but a replacement is 20k.