Finger Control Advice

[Mikes1098]

I need some help…I know this topic has been discussed many times, but it seems it always ends in a debate between foot control or finger control.

Just purchased a rotary finger control for my TIG but I am having a **** of a time getting used to it. The biggest problem I have is that it is a pain to wind it all the way and down… feels like I have to turn the knob 5 times. Do people turn the amperage all the way up so that they do not have to turn the finger control as much?

Just looking for good tips on how to use the finger control… since I already have it.:confused:

[Fat Fab]

I have always had that problem that is why I went back to the foot control.


One thing that might help is to turn down the amps setting on the machine to a level just above what you need for what you are welding. By doing this you make the remote more sensitive.

[Rocky D]

I only used mine when I had to crawl under or over something...when on the floor I used the foot control...I had a pig tail that had a switch on it, so I could switch between them. It is extremely important that you position the wheel where you can roll it without much of the rest of your hand moving. This takes a little time to figger that out.

[Geezer]

I do not have any advice but I am sure going to track this post. Some of my Alu welding make using a pedal a chore if not almost out of the question. I am stuck between a wheel or an adjustable that moves up or down. I see the guys in the local weld shop using nothing but a wheel no matter what the weld position is. I guess once ya get use to it all is ok, but it don't sound as if Rocky is too excited about hand controls and it sounds as if he has welded his share with TIG.

[Rocky D]

The wheel model was the only one that fit our Millers, at the time, and I got used to it. I had mine on the right side of the torch handle, as close to he torch as possible. If it is too far back, it is difficult to manage the torch. Most of the time I wold hold the torch on the palm of my hand, rather than like a pencil, which is more normal. It is real handy for jobs close to the floor or up on a ladder. Before I got the remote wheel, if I had a job on the floor, I would either use my knee on the pedal, or lay the pedal over on it's side, up against something, or have an assistant do it for me. That really sucked. If you can use the pedal, then use it first..save the remote for out-of-position stuff.

[LarryL]

The wheel model was the only one that fit our Millers, at the time, and I got used to it. . . Before I got the remote wheel, if I had a job on the floor, I would either use my knee on the pedal, or lay the pedal over on it's side, up against something, or have an assistant do it for me. That really sucked. If you can use the pedal, then use it first..save the remote for out-of-position stuff.

I've had a couple of finger controls, both wheel and slider type. All have given me some trouble because moving an index finger to adjust the current wiggles the torch. When you're trying to hold the arc 1/16" from the puddle, there's not much wiggle room. I prefer the foot control most of the time. My trusty assistant handles the adjustments when it's an out-of-position weld for me.

Forgive me, those of you who have seen this photo before. Actually, he's getting so old that he sleeps most of the day and I don't want him falling asleep at the pedal. :D
LarryL

[FusionKing]

Sounds like you got the north-south controller POS !!!

The east-east controller is just a flick of the thumb from minimum to max. There is no comparison between the two and it is a shame that Miller even offers the north-south because it is an outdated POS for sure.
Miller shows it as first choice on almost everything like they want you to purchase the wrong thing.:mad:
I accidentally bought one (north south) with my Dynasty 200DX and made them take the POS back and got the easy to use east-west that almost nobody on any forum is familiar with:rolleyes:

[engnerdan]

Sounds like you got the north-south controller POS !!!

The east-east controller is just a flick of the thumb from minimum to max. There is no comparison between the two and it is a shame that Miller even offers the north-south because it is an outdated POS for sure.
Miller shows it as first choice on almost everything like they want you to purchase the wrong thing.:mad:
I accidentally bought one (north south) with my Dynasty 200DX and made them take the POS back and got the easy to use east-west that almost nobody on any forum is familiar with:rolleyes:

Arc Zone has them, its good to hear they work well I was actually looking at the north south kind.

http://www.arc-zone.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=11_151

-Dan

[Big_Eddy]

Does anyone make a trigger type finger control? Seems to me it would be a lot easier to regulate the current- but one would have to hold it all the time unless there was some kind of friction lock.

[B_C]

It would be pretty tough to hold your torch with a trigger control...
I have never seen one but even if one exists I don't think I would be able to weld with one.....

[FusionKing]

The Miller east-west is a little different so I cannot vouch for the arc-zone one.
The miller one works great for me and the places I have worked that use them.
I would love to try/purchase a trigger like a game joystick...you would use it with your thumb as you also do with the east-west controller...fingertip is a misguided name as far as I am concerned.