MMA Stinger, what's your preference?

[northwest]

I get the distinct impression from those without clue that MMA welding or "stick welding" (well we hope it all sticks don't we?) is considered by many to be old fashioned. Everyone is mig welding now, innit!
Fact is, MMA is far superior and indeed the only way to weld in certain circumstances.

However, some of the electrode holders are, well, pants. What are your preferences, what is a good electrode holder. The generic one I have been using is the screw type and the two bits of plastic have become extremely tight and it takes some real effort to get the thing unscrewed for an electrode change and then when I screw it back up it sometimes fails to grip the electrode properly. Time for a change I think. Thing is, they are not that expensive so before I end up with half a dozen I thought I would ask here first.

 

[Appyasme1]

The Optimus range has stood the test of time in my opinion.The Electrode is put in to the holder by means of a clamp action.Not the screw type you are using

 

[pedrobedro]

I like clamp type better as when I get the rod stuck (inevitable) I can just squeeze the clamp and release it Tweco do good stuff.

 

[merryman]

Screw in, every time. I have always used this type, but got a buzz box given which had a clamp type, not nearly as good. When the rod sticks it pulls out, then you have to pry a hot rod off the workpiece to carry on welding, and that clamp makes it much bulkier, there are bound to be tight spaces where it gets in the way.

 

[Hood]

Screw type for me, bit of weight to them which I like, also I tend to hold them right up at the head.

 

[slim_boy_fat]

Screw-in here, but iirc it came with the welder from R-Tech.

 

[mpats]

I started with a screw type on the old machine a friend gave me. When it died I bought an inverter and it came with a clamp type so I went with that for a while, didn't like it so much so put the screw type I had kept from the old machine on. Much betterer!

 

[Scruffywelder]

I like the Myking ones.

Got a couple cheap from Solway Gas about ten years ago when they were clearing stock.

 

[Kent]

I will use any but its hard to better a spring clamp.
I like to flip the stub out fast and into the right spot and band a fresh in fast as possible and you cant beat spring clamp for that
The plastic ones are OK but bending the rod to a like angle during overhead welding is a bit slow (clamp type occasionally miss a slot so check before purchasing that the ones you use are present )

Oh and the advice screw type sometimes get shorter stubs stuck and no amount of wrist flicking gets them out at times. Have to wait till cooled and pick them out (again speed suffers)

 

[slim_boy_fat]

Oh and the advice screw type sometimes get shorter stubs stuck and no amount of wrist flicking gets them out at times. Have to wait till cooled and pick them out (again speed suffers)

Sounds like the spring type is preferred by professionals, then. Makes no difference to the likes of me.

 

[Tinbasherdan]

I prefer a good quality spring clamp holder, but have a screw type on my machine at home as it was cheaper and does the job fine

 

[Tigman]

I have clamp on my old quasi but screw type on the newer inverters don't have a preference really !

 

[MichaelV]

I like the Myking ones.

+1 for Myking

 

[northwest]

Well, I did ask. Plenty for me to think about there. As I have only ever used the screw in type after a tug of war with the clamp type years ago I might re-visit that and try a clamp type. Those Myking ones look good though, not enough pieces in them to go wrong really.

Thank you everyone.

 

[Brad93]

Myking / ESAB handy type.

 

[Paul.]

I use a 400 amp murex screw type electrode holder, it nice and chunky to grip with a glove on, never had a problem ejecting stubs from it with quick flick of the wrist, I often bend my electrodes to get into some funny angles so they need to be gripped properly, a clamp type is just not strong enough for that, clamp levers on the side often get in the way too, I suppose it depends what you are doing, clamp type probably ok for bench / production work, I'll stick to using my screw type though.

 

[Brad93]

I use a 400 amp murex screw type electrode holder, it nice and chunky to grip with a glove on, never had a problem ejecting stubs from it with quick flick of the wrist, I often bend my electrodes to get into some funny angles so they need to be gripped properly, a clamp type is just not strong enough for that, clamp levers on the side often get in the way too, I suppose it depends what you are doing, clamp type probably ok for bench / production work, I'll stick to using my screw type though.

I find it exactly the same mate.

I really really like these now

 

[John Hale]

Twist grip type

 

[zzr1200]

I'm firmly in the screw type holder camp, at first I'd used the very cheap one, then soon moved on to a Bernard short stub holder which I used for over 30 years, it was an excellently made unit gripping the rod with very low pressure. Then moved on to the Myking style, then after much expense I moved back to a Bernard holder, which I had to order from the USA.

 

[Windy Miller]

I find it exactly the same mate.

I really really like these now

I use this type too - very happy with it so far.

I used the clamp type previously, and was happy with that too!