Welding Tips and Tricks

Hi guys!

I'm new to TIG and I've been getting a few hours a day practice for the past few weeks, and progress has been good thanks to Jody's videos. I've already done a few practical projects which turned out well, including out of position stuff, working the pedal with my knee and such.

Anyway, I don't have a torch switch and with my machine's 4T settings I'd like to get one for doing some DOM tubing work that may require me to be upside down... I saw Miller has the RCCS-14 but it seems a bit ridiculous to pay 220 bucks for a switch, some wire and a connector. Before I go make my own from ebay parts, does anyone have one they can suggest that's reasonably priced and will work with the 14 pin miller connection? Just a simple paddle deal is all I'm looking for.

Thanks in advance!

I just made my own for my Dynasty 200.

I picked up a 14-pin amphenol connector from SSC Controls, a momentary switch from my local welding supply store, and 20 feet of white and also black copper stranded automotive wire.

You solder the white wire to pinout A and solder the black wire to pinout B, and you have a switch.

SSC Controls - 10041-20 Plug and 10041-C12 Clamp (for Miller 14-Pin)

Thanks for the diagram, that's what I ended up doing. Works great, esp with around 2s of downslope to reposition. All for 40 bucks.

Nice to know but a little late I bought Millers thumbwheel type last August for those awkward footpedal positions.

The welding shop had one of those too and I was playing with it for a long time trying to convince myself to get one. The shop bought it way back when the dollar was at parity so they're selling it for less than I can get it anywhere online new. But it's still 180 bucks monopoly money so I passed. I might go back to pick it up later, I can think of uses for it but the downslope lets me effectively PWM the heat if the machine is set too high.

Luckily my investments are in Us dollars made while at par gives me a extra 42¢ on the Loonie!

Thanks for all of the great advice! I too was unwilling to pay $200+ for a momentary continuity switch from Big Blue. I thought I would share my solution;

Eastwood sells their version #21258 (switch+15'cord+5pin plug) for $9.95+ shipping. And as another contributor posted, SSC has a high quality metal 14-pin plug, item #10041-20 with cord clamp for $21.25. I'm going to cut off the eastwood 5-pin and solder on the SSC 14-pin. Done. And for around $40.

I had a look at that eastwood part number and it's that paddle switch all the Chinese welders come with. I'm not a fan of these, my China plasma cutter came with one, I was always afraid of breaking it (and later saw videos of guys doing just that). The button is nicely positive without needing a long sweep which can make you jerk the torch, and it's a lot harder to trigger it accidentally.

Since I last updated this thread, I got this button housing from TEC. The generic button I have fits well but it's a bit too thick. I could have cut the back off the rubber housing and it would fit flush but I don't mind it as is.

SS-100

http://www.tectorch.com/Airco%20Tig%20T ... itches.pdf