Tig sheetmetal

[1930artdeco]

Ok, I have to weld in a patch panel and the metal is I am guessing 20ga. maybe 22. Anyhow it is where the kick panel is on my 57 wagon (not the most ideal place) and I was thinking about Tigging it in. My question is how best to use the foot pedal as I don't have a trigger type gun. Can I just set the amps up so that I just kneel on the pedal full power or should I try and find a way to be able to modulate the power? I have a MIG set up but am trying to find a way to keep the amount of weldment down-for grinding purposes.

Thanks,

Mike

 

[Rockable]

I've seen Chip Foose put the pedal between his knees and squeeze it. Probably best to set max amps around 50. I doubt tthatt is 20 ga. Most likely 19 ga. Even though I have a fingertip control, I'd be tempted to Mig it since you are going to be out of position and likely contorted. Good luck.

 

[1930artdeco]

I may have to MIG it just for the reason of being contorted and it being in an awkward location. was trying to think outside the box.

 

[Graham08]

I've done a lot of TIG welding with the pedal between my knees to work in awkward places. It's just part of the deal. I have an amp control that goes on my TIG torch and would rather use the foot pedal...I get better results and don't want to spend the time to switch back and forth.

 

[bdbecker]

I've seen (but not tried myself) guys loosely duct tape the pedal to their foot and then find a fixed surface to push against.

 

[Firebrick43]

Since its steel, does your tig have a lift arc setting? That is what I typically do if out of place for a small amount of welding. If not old school for decades before foot pedal became common was scratch arc. set you machine on Stick and set your amps. You place a small scrap plate next to where you will start and you scratch across it to start the arc and then move to where you are welding. All the contamination from the start is the on the plate then.

 

[BigMike782]

Can you set your machine to panel control. Have someone else initiate the arc then all you have to do is move the puddle and add filler. I have a momentary switch for this type of situation but I have also had to get creative with a foot control too.

 

[v8nutz]

I have a hand/finger tip control and never use it, I find it really difficult to control compared to the foot pedal. Thin steel is tricky to tig, you need really perfect fit up and super clean steel. I've welded stuff on my truck, you just have to find a way to use the pedal in an awkward position.

 

[zmotorsports]

I've done a lot of TIG welding with the pedal between my knees to work in awkward places. It's just part of the deal. I have an amp control that goes on my TIG torch and would rather use the foot pedal...I get better results and don't want to spend the time to switch back and forth.

^^This. I also have a thumb control that easily Velcro's onto the TIG torch but still end up using the foot pedal either in between my knees, between a knee and the floor and operate it from the side if lying down, or even under my arm on a few rare occasions. Basically whatever is necessary. The thumb controls works well, but I'm usually in too big of a hurry to grab it and strap it onto the TIG torch and swap connections so I make do with the foot pedal in precarious situations.

 

[whateg01]

.... Have someone else initiate the arc then all you have to do is move the puddle and add filler.

I can't imagine a more inconvenient or calamity inducing way to tig weld

 

[rlitman]

I've done a lot of TIG welding with the pedal between my knees to work in awkward places. It's just part of the deal. I have an amp control that goes on my TIG torch and would rather use the foot pedal...I get better results and don't want to spend the time to switch back and forth.

There are many different kinds of torch end controllers. Most of them ****. Two that I'm aware of do not.
I have an SSC Touch 4 fingertip controller, and it's just as useful as my SSC pedal. So useful that I might not have purchased a pedal when I did about 20 years ago. Supposedly the TIG button is as good.

Before the Touch 4, I had a torch mounted controller with a volume style wheel you rotate, and that was complete ****. Worthless in every way! Used it twice, put it back in the bag and bought a pedal.

 

[imagineer]

FWIW, I'd MIG it. Use a few extra amps, turn down the wire speed and use 1/4 second zaps.

When I've done similar projects, I've run a 2nd shielding gas line using a TIG gas diffuser to make sure the spot to be tacked is already flooded before the trigger is pulled. It wasted a bit of Argon mix, but it helped keep the tack welds flat. Don't forget to hammer & dolly the tack welds after they've cooled.

 

[Jswain]

Mig it. Get some wire that is easier to grind if you're really worried about it.

 

[welder4956]

I have used TIG on thin sheet metal, but only with silicon bronze filler on AC. The filler melts at a lower temp than the steel, so it does not burn through or blow through as easy. The foot pedal is doable using your knee or foot if you have to lay down.

 

[MJD1]

On my prime weld machines( 225x tig,285 mig multi process) I have a simple on off switch to initiate and stop the arc. That being said, mig for the win

 

[BigMike782]

I can't imagine a more inconvenient or calamity inducing way to tig weld

Sometimes you have to do what you have to do. Inconvenient? yup. calamity? nope. They don't let up you snap out.
The easiest way would be a finger tip control or momentary switch but short of that it's figure it out.

 

[slowtwitch73]

Mig all the way.....