Live Torches

[rtbcomp]

The subject of live MIG torches keeps cropping up and concensus is they're a Bad Thing from the safety aspect.

However, we don't mind wafting a live rod around when stick welding.

So, has anyone ever produced a stick welder with a trigger on the torch to switch the power on and off?

 

[TechnicAl]

I think with a MIG set its associated with poor quality. In reality does it matter?
PS Ive never seen a stick set with a switch but its usually more difficult to strike up and keep arcing.

 

[asmeix6g]

rtbcomp as you would have it,i was at the SED show at rockingham the other week. Butters had a stall there with a new type of stick set... and you've got it.. it had a button on formaking the stick go live! which in theory is good but we had a go and it was crap it had 2 tiny buttons right next to each other one for turning the juice on and off (which you HAD to hold in) and another which apparently is for increased voltage for welding through a patch of rust or paint!? :s
also had a little dial on it for changing your amps.
we had a go and it was awful needed to wear argon gloves just to be able to hold the button in. and the dial on the tongues... WHY?? we all have seperate remotes which are far easier because your left hand doesnt need to interfere with your right!
i said on site the tongues would get bust too easy and you cant use it with gauntlets on etc etc and he said noo its ideal for having in the workshop, so i asked why would you not just use MIG? seriously you wouldnt be able to hold this button in if you was working round a pipe.
just a crap design and idea..

 

[asmeix6g]

wish i had got somepics soyou could all have a laugh!
what i did like though was these gen sets that remain dormant till you want to strike an arc then the engine starts up instantly! i dont mean where the revs drop and increase the actual engine is not running till you strike an arc!

 

[Robotstar5]

what i did like though was these gen sets that remain dormant till you want to strike an arc then the engine starts up instantly! i dont mean where the revs drop and increase the actual engine is not running till you strike an arc!

Must be similar to these hybrid drive cars with a big battery/inverter system.

 

[Drains]

I have an old ESAB aircooled set with a 0 amps setting. It's handy enough. Then again, it's not necessary, as you can drop your tongs and rod inside your mask to insulate them - a trick I learned many, many years ago.

Surely the problem with a live torch mig is that when there is no wire feed on, accidental contact could cause damage to the torch/ gum up the works a bit. With mig (read semi-automatic) welding, having the contactor come in at the same time as the wire feed is fairly essential, not least as it gives you control over the stickout and burnback. You don't need all that with stick, as it's all down to operator skill.

 

[Bullyterrier]

Edited as now monsieur Drains has edited his post mine made even less sense

 

[rtbcomp]

Should that be ARC not mig? There has to be a wire feed in a mig, how else would you get the wire to the tip?

I think he meant "with the wire not feeding" ie if the wire shorted to earth whilst not feeding it would melt and bung up the tip.

 

[Drains]

I think he meant "with the wire not feeding" ie if the wire shorted to earth whilst not feeding it would melt and bung up the tip.

Correct! Thanks Rog!

Sorry Bullyterrier, I wasn't being clear. I've changed it a bit.