How do you hold yours?

[barny]

How do you hold your mig torch?

I find that after about 10 seconds of welding my left hand starts to burn, as I use it to steady the torch, at the base of the swan neck.
Maybe it's that my welding gloves aren't good enough? I've tried holding it in various ways and this for me seems to be the steadiest method.
It's only a little cheapy sealey 150, maybe that's the problem.

 

[cumbriasteve]

I usually rest my welding arm across my left arm, well back from the torch and if doing a lot of welding I wear gloves on both hands..the big red ones from Weldequip... great gloves once worn in and cheap as chips, bought 2 pair 6 months ago and still on the first pair.

 

[shenion]

I steady my arm, not the torch.

Often I basically cross my arms. Hold onto something with my left, then rest my wrist on my left forearm.

Sometimes 2-handed. Sometimes can lean arm on something.

I have used a fist on my left hand and rest the torch on it, hard to get a good angle as you tend to be too low.

Find what works for you.

Better gloves will help. Mine are suede. If you feel them getting hot you need to take them off NOW as even after you stop welding, the heat is still working through

I do a lot one handed, gets easier (stick experience helps.) Only small welds I need extra help steadying.

 

[barny]

Quick replys, thanks guys I will give it a go your ways too.

 

[Windy Miller]

Are you a vegetarian Scott?

 

[VBO]

Same as above. I usually cross my welding arm over my left arm to steady it. On my left arm I wear a thick gauntlet to keep it from burning, and on my right a working glove.

That would probably help you out, if you wore it on your left hand it would be better protected.

 

[Sparkey]

Very funny thread title Barny! very misleading too...

Your hand gets tired or your glove actually catches fire?? (both are possible!)
The more you weld, it gets easier to find a good position for your hand and torch, and ofcourse your hands will get steadier.

Most of the time i steady my torch with my left hand, one particular part we have to weld i only have enough space to put down my pinky and steady my torch with my thumb...that required a bit of practice!

 

[barny]

I have the red gauntlets, they heat up where they touch the swan neck. i have two sets so have been swapping them over to carry on welding.

ive been away this week to Egypt so not had a chance to try other methods yet

is it sad that ive been sitting by the pool all week thinking about my project and welding?

 

[david500]

ive been away this week to Egypt so not had a chance to try other methods yet

is it sad that ive been sitting by the pool all week thinking about my project and welding?

Alright you dont have to rub it in

How much are you welding before it feels hot? What kind of torch is it? hobby type or euro?
Think mine stays cool/warm'ish apart from the very end near the shroud which is a bit toasty.
Normaly the gloves would catch fire if they that close to the weld

I hold it near the top of the neck where it comes out of the handle,I say hold, Its more that I rest/wrap my other hand on it to keep it steady.

 

[Wedg1e]

ive been away this week to Egypt so not had a chance to try other methods yet

is it sad that ive been sitting by the pool all week thinking about my project and welding?

From a work colleague's description of Egypt I'd sooner attempt to weld live artillery shells together inside a nuclear power station without eye protection, my tackle in a goldfish bowl full of piranha whilst eating a razor-blade-and-broken-glass sandwich for lunch, than ever go there.
Still, as long as you enjoyed yourself

 

[barny]

Haha for the most part you would be right to choose those alternatives, we went outside of the resort once and hated every second of it.
It's out of season so not many tourists so as soon as they see you they jump on you giving you hassle to buy. I know this is how it works but it got to the point where I didn't feel safe and one lovely Egyptian fellow came close to getting thumped.
Not somewhere we will be going again.