Fitting a switch on a wp17 torch.

[wal herring]

Hello everyone, new here but i'll find my way round hopefully. Retired last year so its been great to start playing in the garage for longer periods and not having to think of work next day,, anyway here's my question. I have a Stel tig welder, had it since around 1995 and its still good, although its not been hammered, as the old hands aint as steady these days, I was thinking if it would be possible to fit a switch to my torch and run the cable into the machine as mine aint got the socket for the plug. if any of you techy guys know a way then please advise if its possible or not,, thanks in advance, sorry for the dribble...
Wal.

 

[Liquid Metal]

Are you sure the machine has HF start option, as I would have thought that if the machine had HF start then there would be a connection for the torch switch???

 

[wal herring]

No mines scratch. thanks for the reply.

 

[Liquid Metal]

You may be able to rig up a way of stopping the arc though??? Does the set have any down slope or post arc gas control??

 

[BrokenBiker]

afaik a normal torch switch wont work on a scratch tig as the switch is used to activate the hf which in turn starts the arc.

you could rig a switch up that would break the arc without you having to take the torch away but would probably depend o. How your welder is wired up

 

[wal herring]

Thanks for your replies, mine has the gas control knob so post flow is ok, I'll have to take the cover off and see if there is anything I can see to slip switch wires in..

 

[Robotstar5]

Fit a push-to-break switch into the coil supply of the main contactor/relay? not sure how it would affect the gas though.

 

[BrokenBiker]

Fit a push-to-break switch into the coil supply of the main contactor/relay? not sure how it would affect the gas though.

if gas is controlled from a valve on torch then this would work.

when you press button arc would stop