Welding Tips and Tricks

Yea the whole shebang is 200 but. I contacted them via the "send a message" because I have an unlisted welder. I don't know about the whole eBay thing as they could be doing a transition for all I know.

I don't get what the mystery is, they're available on their website??

I think it's because I listed one link (www.tigbutton.com), but the correct page that has the shopping cart feature is www.tigcontrol.com. The CK amptrols are nearly $200 as well, so this one isn't too far out in left field. It is 10x better however. This coming from someone who owns two CK amptrols.

Yes, it's clear NO ONE read my clearly marked [EDIT] where I pointed to the correct website. Sadly, I edited before anyone replied, so it wasn't hidden. ExNail even quoted the edited version with the correct link...


Steve S

Oscar
i have the same machine as you. is there a part number for the controller for our machines?
craig

motox wrote:Oscar
i have the same machine as you. is there a part number for the controller for our machines?
craig

No there isn't, because it is not a production model. For the time being, you'll have to contact them.

Otto Nobedder wrote:Yes, it's clear NO ONE read my clearly marked [EDIT] where I pointed to the correct website. Sadly, I edited before anyone replied, so it wasn't hidden. ExNail even quoted the edited version with the correct link...


Steve S

It took me all day of thinking about that to finally "get it" I ordered one today. That sucker looks like it's going to be the answer to alot of my problems and we have a trusted friend's review on it...can't wait.

Oscar thanks
craig

It would be nice to hear some of the other reports back as well. I've been looking at several versions of the thumb controls and there almost all in that price range.

Stupid thumb control I have at work was about $120, and it shows. I set the machine wide open so the power I want to use is on one sweep of the thumb, but that doesn't work for heavy aluminum, and I'm dialing it like an old rotary phone and shaking the torch in the process.
I want this.
I have to convince work I need this, in order to get it. I'm not spending that money for something I can only use at work. (I have no workshop at home).

Steve S

I bough the miller one for the little 150stl. It's a lot better than scratch start but it wasn't worth the $180 they charged. It wasn't my money but it just wasn't great.

I looked into making something like this a while back. But the only way I could figure it is to use a pressure sensor, make it a little hardier with a puck or button and heatshrink and hook it up to an arduino back near the machine then have the arduino read the sensor and control a variable resistor hooked up to the welder via the foot pedal input. I figured it would cost at least $100 but probably closer to $150 with no guarantee it would even work just for a dodgy prototype. Coupled with the fact I don't know a thing about Arduino's I shelved the idea.

So if its up and running and working I'd say that is a steal at the price given what I think is involved in putting it together and materials and such.

yesterday i spoke with Dave Vogel of tigcontrol.com and the
controller for HTP should be available on their website by the
weeks end if anyone else in interested. $199.00
craig

I contacted the company too, they're working on one for the Lincoln Square wave 200.

It occurred to me to see how close the TIG Button got to the machine requested amperage. The values were a little lower than I had hoped, but then it also occurred to me, well just how close does the stock foot pedal deliver the requested amperage as well. Then I felt better. The TIG Button is within 1% difference from the stock foot pedal, and within 3% from the amperage requested at the machine panel.

Differences are minimal, but then again, even the stock foot pedal is off, or it might even be one of those production tolerances thing where it is the machine itself that is off. I wonder how other machines and their foot pedals stack up.



Any Invertig 221 takers out there?

I emailed and got a response as well. I've been looking for a new thumb control for my TA 186. It's on the list of getting tested now said they should be out in a month or so.

Oscar wrote:It occurred to me to see how close the TIG Button got to the machine requested amperage.

How are the values for requested and actual amperage obtained?

MarkL wrote:

Oscar wrote:It occurred to me to see how close the TIG Button got to the machine requested amperage.

How are the values for requested and actual amperage obtained?

"Requested" is what the digital display on the machine says.
"Actual" is measured with a high-quality clamp-over amp meter, probably made by Fluke.

Also, all our ASME code work is done on a machine that's calibrated annually, so "requested" and "actual" always match within 1% of full scale, so long as the machine/remote combination remains the same.

Steve S

The machine itself tells you actual amperage from the digital display as you are welding. When you vary the amperage (using the amperage controller of your choice, whether it be a foot pedal or hand amptrol), it is shown in real time. While not welding, the value on the display is the "max" that the machine should put out when the amperage controller is physically set to it's maximum.

I ordered one of these TIG Buttons a few days ago I hope it gets here soon.

My Tig Button Came in and all I can say is wow what a great product that thing is awesome I will play with it more over the weekend and get it dialed in or actually my finger dialed in. If you have ben looking at this product wondering if it would be worth it trust me a novice welder it is a great product.

Just Nick wrote:My Tig Button Came in and all I can say is wow what a great product that thing is awesome I will play with it more over the weekend and get it dialed in or actually my finger dialed in. If you have ben looking at this product wondering if it would be worth it trust me a novice welder it is a great product.

What welder are you using?

finally received my controller button, plan on rigging it up
to a spare torch over the weekend if i have time. set up looks
simple and complete.
craig

Oscar wrote:

Just Nick wrote:My Tig Button Came in and all I can say is wow what a great product that thing is awesome I will play with it more over the weekend and get it dialed in or actually my finger dialed in. If you have ben looking at this product wondering if it would be worth it trust me a novice welder it is a great product.

What welder are you using?

Miller dynasty 280DX

Ok, so the reviews that keep on coming in have me tempted to buy this thing for my HTP Invertig 221. Does it work fine with gloves? Same as without? Just making sure so I can continue wearing my gloves for safety's sake. What is the warranty? And will spare parts be available if anything fails so you can repair/replace what is broke?
Thanks

Never mind the warranty part. It looks like a pretty fair warranty , if you ask me.
http://tigbutton.com/warranty/