How to TIG Weld Without a Foot Pedal - Kevin Caron

From www.kevincaron.com - (Blooper alert!) Artist Kevin Caron takes time out from creating his latest sculpture to answer a viewer's question about using a TIG welder without a foot pedal or high frequency, which is called "lift start." He explains that most TIG welders have different ways to start the arc: the foot pedal, the trigger on the welding torch itself, a high frequency start and a lift start. The high frequency start allows you to just get close to your work with the torch and push on the button or foot pedal. The arc will jump the gap, and you can begin welding. With a lift start, or "scratch start," you have no pedal and no high frequency. No matter how many times you push that trigger, the arc won't jump to the metal. You have to push the button and touch the metal to start the welding arc. As soon as you pull back the torch slightly, the welder sends all of its power to start the arc. Then you can weld. When you're done, you push the button again to turn the welding arc off. The post flow gas kicks in to cool the weld down, and you're done. Caron shows how to change to lift start on his Longevity TigWeld 250 AC/DC by simply flipping a switch from "HF" (High Frequency) to "Lift." Now the foot pedal and high frequency are disabled. Why would you use lift if you have high frequency? The high frequency can interfere with electronics, including TVs, radios, computers and, most important, pacemakers - the high frequency can actually kill someone with a pacemaker! Next, Caron shows how to TIG weld using lift start. He clicks the button and nothing happens, then he holds the button, touches the tungsten to the metal and pulls back the distance he wants to be from the metal to weld. When he is done welding, he touches the button to stop the arc. Whether you use high frequency and the foot pedal or lift start, the quality and appearance of the weld is the same. The welding experience is different, though. Unless you have a torch that has both the on / off and a control wheel or slider that lets you control the amperage from the torch, when using lift start, you have to control amperage at the welder. When using high frequency and a foot pedal, you can control the amperage right under your foot. That's great if you're working at the bench, but not if you are working on a large sculpture, on a car, or anywhere else you are "upsidedown and backwards." Then you can run the high frequency and the trigger, unless electronics are involved. Lift start can be helpful, especially if you have it set up properly to begin with or have someone who can adjust the amperage for you at the machine. For more how-to videos, visit www.kevincaron.com

[@freemarketjoe9869]

This guy has a very straightforward way of explaining things in simple terms. Great help for beginners like me. Thank you.

[@KevincaronSculpture]

Happy to help!

[@69camaoZ28sc]

Thanks a million Kevin for this video. I WAS going to buy a real TIG but not after watching this video. I have a Boston Scientific Implanted Pacer/Defibrillator. My doctor yelled at me for MIG welding but nothing has ever gone wrong in 16years. I stay far away from the transformer case, I keep the wires and work to my right to prevent standing in a magnetic loop. Magnetism will turn the device off but once the field is gone the Defibrillator will restart and may deliver an unwanted and deadly 16kv shock (what mine is set for). Properly rhythmic hearts receiving a Defibrillator shock can stop. Thankfully mine is programmed too and will re-start my heart then pace me afterwards so I can call 911. It has saved my life 6-time from heart attacks while sleeping in the past 16 years and I've worn out three devices so far. The magnetic off is a safety feature just encase the device goes bonkers, you just place a magnet on it but you have to goto a hospital so they can link up to it and control all functions before you remove the magnet.

[@KevincaronSculpture]

WOW!! I did not know all that! Happy to keep you safe but sad you can't play with the rest of us.

[@cjs1548]

Just got into welding. Trained in 2011 with a foot pedal. Wanted to add a comment. Worked with guys that TIG weld a lot without a foot pedal OR button, just a knob to adjust gas. After training the boss asked me to drive across country to Southern CA to help on a piping project in 2012. After a few days I managed to strike my arc like an old pro. Simple trick of getting torch into position, take filler wire and like striking a match just snap it across the gap between project and your tungsten.

[@CharlesStruble]

Reason you get all those emails with questions: cuz we know you are going to answer them in an understandable (and often entertaining) manner. Thanks guys.

[@HillbillyRednecking]

For HF welding, If you are welding in a sheet metal building, you can ground the metal building with a couple copper ground rods and when you HF weld inside you're building the HF will be contained!

[@samp1394]

Thank you for that info. I was just about not to buy a HF welder.

[@danielplace1962]

Whether you choose lift start or high frequency you are making it to seem like it is related to using the switch for lift start and pedal for HF but using foot pedal or switch has nothing to do with the starting method you choose. You can lift start with the foot pedal or switch and same for HF.

[@ClownWhisper]

By the way I have to agree with everyone you are the best teacher I've ever seen

[@KevincaronSculpture]

Thank you very much! A pat on the back beats a kick in the butt by a couple of feet!!

[@brianoberhausen5153]

That was very helpful! I have a Tweco 141i and have used it for stick and mig welding so far. I have the right torch but haven’t understood the foot pedal. Thanks!!

[@KevincaronSculpture]

Glad it was helpful!

[@CodeFoxAus]

Thanks Kevin, you answered the question perfectly (plus other cool tips as usual). I'm going out tomorrow to grab some argon so I can give TIG a go on the weekend!

[@KevincaronSculpture]

My pleasure,

[@dpdicharry]

Great segment and very well presented. If you haven't compiled all this information into a DVD, you should! P.S. The wife (or girlfriend) did a good job as interrogator too. Thanks, Don

[@KevincaronSculpture]

King metal out of Dallas. check for them online. Or go to your local metal yard. These are use for decorations on fence posts and flag poles... Check for hollow spun metal balls.....

[@barurnielsen1563]

Hi, I have a good question, you say that you just press the "bottom" but some torches don't even have a bottom, they are live all the time. .. .. My question is how do you shut it off if you don't have on/off ? I find the welds are bad once you want to get away. !??

[@user-zr9nr8pj7l]

No one answered you in six years!!! Did you ever figure it out cause I'm asking the same question you asked 6 years ago??

[@KevincaronSculpture]

Yes it is and thank you..

[@valveman12]

Kevin my understanding of Lift Start and Scratch start are completely different. To me it sounded like you equated lift and scratch start as the same thing in your intro. I don't think you meant to say that. Scratch is the original way to tig where power is available all the time so striking yields full amps where as lift is low amps until you lift. I use a Thermalarc Fabricator with lift. I din't think I would like it but I really do and no thungsten contamination.

[@stillbashingmetal]

Kevin. That looks like a great sculpture (correct term?). Good explanation of HF and lift start. The user manual shows it of course, but it's easier to understand when someone explains it. Thanks.

[@terryc47]

Nicely explained Kevin, thankyou

[@KevincaronSculpture]

Glad it was helpful!

[@spiritburners]

superb explanation thanks.

[@KevincaronSculpture]

You are welcome

[@fineartonfire_5327]

Hello fine Sir, I’m wondering if I could trouble you for the contact info for a one Stu D, O’Gere! I just loved the wardrobe choice in this film and I wish to have him come do a make over on my welding closet. Thank you for your time! Finest of Fine Art On Fire!

[@KevincaronSculpture]

LOL, I will have him give you a ring up!!!

[@styluminium]

Very clear!, thank you for doing this piece but just by your looks I would believe everything you say!

[@KevincaronSculpture]

I have this bridge in NY....

[@cyberblade6669]

how much

[@lucasrobinson537]

Funny! I saw this video too late. I have been too spoiled by using the pedal on my everlast. I can't give it up now!

[@KevincaronSculpture]

Cool! Welcome to the club...

[@Sfrrob1]

Great info, and explained very well.

[@KevincaronSculpture]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@ClownWhisper]

I'm sure the gentleman asking this question was wondering where do you set the amperage at what level do you set the amperage when you can adjust it like that I mean since you can adjust your weld so many ways like speed Etc where would you for convenience sake set your amperage say you work out from a chart that you should be using 80 amps on a certain well but you're limited because you cannot adjust on the fly because you're not using a foot pedal or you don't have a slider or whatever the reason would you set it a little higher and then use speed to adjust the puddle and keep it consistent or what. I am just starting to take weld myself and it is so much more complicated than I thought it would be I thought I would be at least be able to make decent welds after the first few hours of working and that is not the case it looks like someone put a pin hole in a tuba toothpaste and stomped on it that's my welds right now I'm sure I will progress because I'm very stubborn and I will practice my ass off but I have a lot more respect for the discipline holding a tiny tungsten at such a finite position at my age is not going to be easy seeing as hell muscle memory is very hard to build the older you get so I'm going to today as a matter of fact start doing repetitive exercises as many as I can for as long as I can to try and build up a little bit of consistency even if it's not welding per se

[@KevincaronSculpture]

You figured out my secret right off the bat! Yes, I will set the amps a little higher, (ie 130 to 135 for .125 steel instead of 120 to 125.) The great thing about my work and how I work is I can stop in the middle and make bigger changes in settings. Sometimes I will hook up the pedal if I am working on really thin stuff. But most of the time speed and pulse will work just fine for me. Welcome to the wonderful world of welding. Practice, planning and great fit and finish before you turn the welder on will make your life a lot easier. Have fun and remember to not touch the red metal!

[@va7da]

My High Frequency welder setting would set off security alarms until I put magnetic RF coils on the alarm system wires.

[@KevincaronSculpture]

Oh yeah!! Mine used to change the channel on the radio!

[@timewert7558]

I have a high frequency rig welder and use ear buds with I phone will that high frequency mess up my phone or ear buds?

[@KevincaronSculpture]

It can. The people that live behind my studio complained really loud when I got my first tig welder. Seems the channel on their tv kept changing every time I hit the switch.

[@mamoshimiloni9559]

Brother most people who aretrying to weld without a foot pedal are trying to weld a smal tin pice of metal only with tig. what they mean is that is it possible to have it on for a micro second and then again and again so that you can tig weld without filling metal

[@KevincaronSculpture]

Sure, just set the 2t/4t switch to 2/t. Now every time you press the finger switch the arc will start and as soon as you let go of the switch the arc stops. Only way I know of to do what you are asking about.

[@va7da]

What does a TIG welder’s HIGH frequency do to a guy’s pacemaker? Understand most pacemakers are OK below 150 welding amps if arc is 2 foot from chest and if pacemaker is affected by the arc the pacemaker should normalize as soon as welding is stopped.

[@KevincaronSculpture]

To the best of my knowledge once you get a pacemaker you can no longer weld with high freq. Not sure how true that is but that is what I was told.

[@herronleslie]

What if I don’t have a switch or foot pedal? My torch is controlled by a valve. Can you help?

[@KevincaronSculpture]

it's called a scratch start tig. The tungsten is always "hot" when the machine is on. Just touch it to the metal and lift slightly and you are welding. The valve is there just to control the gas. DON'T FORGET TO TURN OFF THE GAS WHEN YOU ARE DONE!

[@spartaeus]

My auto darkening helmet stays dark all the time when I switch my tig machine over to HF start. HF definitely does do something to electronics.

[@KevincaronSculpture]

Had a radio that would change channels every time I started an arc!

[@TheRichardmay1]

My machine doesn't have option for foot pedal or a switch on the gun...my problem is in order to stop the arc you have to pull away from the metal and therefore lose the 5 seconds of shielding needed at the end...any suggestions??

[@KevincaronSculpture]

A quick twist of the wrist will break the arc, then twist back to shield the weld. Then turn the gas off with the knob on the handle of the torch. I am assuming that you have a knob of course .

[@TheRichardmay1]

Thanks Kevin, I'll give that a try. Appreciate your quick response. I have another question maybe you have knowledge of. I'm repairing my sailboat rudder The rudder post Is stainless 1 1/4" diameter and I need to weld 1/8" x 2" x 12" long stainless support members 90° (perpendicular) using a butt joint. Since they are different thickness do you have a recommendation for this type of weld?

[@sebastianadams8771]

Truthfully I've never attempted the lift start with my everlast welder. I should experiment with it some day.

[@KevincaronSculpture]

Always nice to learn a new skill. Or just practice an old one.

[@Jerbob1]

Well done. You make it all so easy to grasp, Kev. How to you prevent the tungsten from sticking to the material when you try to touch/scratch start? Lower amperage? I have stopped repeatedly to regrind tips.

[@wayne3340]

At my work nearly everything is SS. Every time I have tried tig welding I just burn the tungsten off, or stick to the work because it's lift, I guess. I want to get a pedal for the welder because it's way too frustrating.

[@KevincaronSculpture]

It does take a lot of practice to get used to lift tig! Keep at it, you will figure it out!

[@MileytheJeepV2]

So i only tig welded twice but my boss does it a lot and one thing I've noticed is my hood likes to flicker on and off whether I'm looking at the arc or at the arc from a mig welder and the tig is being used on the opposite side of the room... It never happens if I'm just mig welding only tig... But we don't use hf or any of this stuff we use a pedal

[@KevincaronSculpture]

God, I hate it when that happens! Try changing your sensitivity on the helmet. You have it set too low I think.

[@MileytheJeepV2]

@@KevincaronSculpture see i thought the same but even if i turn it all the way up itll happen... But then when the tig welder isnt being used itll turn on and off cause the lights in the shop are enough to trigger it then lol

[@Mitutumuch]

Junglegym for a Squirrel thats whatthefuck that is 😂😂

[@KevincaronSculpture]

And it takes a squirrel to build one.

[@ThomasCastro]

Hi, I'm attending a welding class actually and the professor tells me that for a good aluminum welding (TIG, in this case) it is necessary to regulate the current (amperage). As far as I know the level of current goes higher depending on the thickness of the material to weld, and the distance between the material and the electrode. So, do you think that one can be able to form a good welding on aluminum without regulating the current?

[@michaelhuntly-ball2474]

Great video ty

[@KevincaronSculpture]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@horseshoerich]

The high frequency is that what keeps taking out my electronic ignition on my car and ATV I'm using Lincoln's 225 precision tig if so can it be shut off

[@Unclejohntyskitchen]

Great videos as usual. I'm trying to find out more about stainless steel welding with inverter tig can you help at all. Thanks

[@KevincaronSculpture]

Just get the right filler wire for your base metal. You need straight argon for gas and make sure every thing is clean. If you can run another gas line to backpurge your weld it will turn out better.

[@Unclejohntyskitchen]

Kevin Caron, Artist thanks Kevin I appreciate your help.

[@ColKorn1965]

You have very helpful info. Thanks

[@grlnboots]

what about lift start without switch on stainless steel? How do you snap out without causing oxidation/sugaring?

[@KevincaronSculpture]

Have another piece of stainless next to the weld. Snap out over that piece. I am guessing here.

[@grlnboots]

@@KevincaronSculpture . That actually sounds right for some things. I just don't think you can always get another piece of stainless into a place when welding. Such as tubing, but I will have to see if it is possible to clamp a piece on. Thank you.

[@HillbillyRednecking]

Has anyone used a thumb wheel feeder for their tig welding filler rod? Is it worth it?

[@krauselee877]

Depends on your dexterity, my dad has arthritis, i gave him one and he can feed super well now

[@thomasrose6962]

EUTECTIC sorry for the typo in previous.. Looks like a solid american made welder tho tho i wish i knew more about the dyna tig box

[@borrisdriver]

Great explanation. Thank you 😊

[@KevincaronSculpture]

Glad it was helpful!

[@mkrauss2017]

hi there kevin how do u hook up a stick up to a tig welder my boss said it can be done i just dont no how can u help me out.thanks

[@KevincaronSculpture]

That's the other way to do it.. Thanks for posting....

[@KevincaronSculpture]

Yes, you have a Tig unit to work with your SMAW Buzz box. Good luck,,,,,

[@codipaulo72]

Hi Kevin Whats the diference on the inverters with Technologie IGBT HF, is there still the problem with the HF on electronics, what is the benifit of the IGBT?

[@KevincaronSculpture]

I am sorry but I really don't know the answer to this. I know the HF problems have been fixed with IGBT but I am not sure what was done.

[@codipaulo72]

So does the inverters that have HF with IGBT, are they safe now to use near computors our TV's. And thanks for the reply, and great videos that you have there, Im trying to lear more since I only now the basic, and you have given me a great help. Thank you Sir.

[@KevincaronSculpture]

Not too near!!! I would still be leery of getting around any electronics with a tig welder or plasma cutter.

[@silverforever15]

What if you weld with lift arc but have no foot pedal or button, do i treat it like scratch start when ending a weld?

[@KevincaronSculpture]

Yes you do!

[@w.r.806]

Im here running beads flat beads..i am fairly new to welding...i have the certifications and yada yada but i am not that new to welding to know that thats only paper..i weld on maganese rail frogs (the piece of tdack where the train switches tracks) and that really has buffed my stick welding skills unbelievably...im starting to (with my whole heart trying to at least) work on being a good tig welder. Practice practice practice..yes i understand..but am i shorting myself by using a lincoln 100amp inverter welder? I have a rock solid 87 Lincoln weldanpwr g9..with the airmatic spool gun..but i would need an LN 17 attatchment to run HF..i feel that i have the idea of tig down enpugh to widen my horizons a bit. I would like to be able to weld up to 1/8 inch or a little thicker...using a wp17 torch with both standard and gas body lenses. Any suggestions..i was thinking of biting the bulet and purchasing a squarewave

[@robotmotor]

its really full information thanks kevin

[@KevincaronSculpture]

make sure the ground is hooked to the - post and the stinger is on the + post. That is all.....

[@tomeejr]

Nuts, Second. Where did you find the spheres ?

[@Bowtie41]

Beautiful piece! Can you please tell me where you got the little spheres for the project?

[@KevincaronSculpture]

+Bowtie41 Google sun metal balls.

[@MrRenoman2011]

thanks again another great video

[@RalphDratman]

Very helpful. Thank you!

[@KevincaronSculpture]

The machine "should" be taking care of that for you. It will look for the contact and start with a low amperage then ramp up to set amps.

[@KevincaronSculpture]

Can you give me more info please. What make and model, what settings, etc....

[@va7da]

Welder was Miller Econotwin HF AC/DC 160 amp. (Transformer type). Alarm system was a wired Alarmtron. As soon as I struck TIG arc at any amperage the intrusion alarm would sound and stay on until reset but it didn’t alert the Alarmtron dispatcher. I installed two clip on ferrite magnets on the door sensor lead wires and that solved the problem. I haven’t used HF on the welder since getting the pacemaker. Haven’t had any known issues with the pacemaker using the 50 amp plasma cutter but I now go for the cutting torch first.

[@horseshoerich]

What if battery is disconnected how do you weld aluminum on a car

[@thomasrose6962]

hey Kevin you shoulda been a science teacher..anyway.. bought an old Eutectice Buzz Box cira 1967 rarely used AND a optional 'Dyna Tig Voltage Stabilizer' unit by same company that sits on Top.. i bet youve seen these before.. is that unit a high Freq starter?..im new to tig and ive only tried the Tig process twice i only have bits of original manual the company apparantly is too uppitty to even mention anything about welders on its site just consumable like fancy hardface rods will DC work

[@VisorBlue]

Good info, as usual. Thanks!

[@razvanon]

there is no video on youtube on how scratch start tig does not weld aluminium, why does not work. is it because there is no hi frequency ? help us

[@JakeDancel]

I know this comment is really old, but to weld aluminum, you need a machine that can do AC, in order to penetrate the aluminium

[@UmitDurupinar]

thank you for information...

[@jdj62464]

What is that thing he's making my hearing isn't the greatest and couldn't understand what he said? Also whatever it is what is it for?

[@KevincaronSculpture]

You can see it finished on my website. Look here....www.kevincaron.com/art_detail/charged_particle.html

[@KevincaronSculpture]

You can see the finished piece here.. www.kevincaron.com/art_detail/charged_particle.html

[@jdj62464]

Kevin Caron, Artist Thanks Kevin, I just sent you an email to the address from your site.

[@KevincaronSculpture]

It is easier than talking about it.......

[@csabi72]

how do you know where to place the pipes, to be perfect?

[@KevincaronSculpture]

+Csaba Farkas Sorry, that's a secret..

[@csabi72]

Ok

[@powertothebauer296]

I never have experienced when i use HF start that my Radio will not work, even my Computer will still work if i not hit the Power direkt to my computer.Where does it come from.I weld many places where Computers in it, Radios and other Electronics no one ever failed, or gets damaged.No welder who is under Quality control uses Lift Arc to start the welding process direkt where he has to weld, we use a copperplate to start the welding process. As you can see i am still alive. Many times i get hit by high frequency start.I don't no what Kind of Tig Welder you have, but i think you not work with 4 Stroke. Maybe the Machines are used in the States are much different what we use in Europe. Btw looks good what you are doing

[@HillbillyRednecking]

powertothebauer I'm not sure if the inverter type HF welders interfere as much as something like a Dialarc HF with tungsten arc gaps that make a nice buzz, I still need to test my HF to see what it interferes with

[@powertothebauer296]

The older ones we have make nice buzz too, the new ones when you push the Trigger there comes no buzzing. It is more like a pop and there hit is .

[@powertothebauer296]

Maybe the answer is that we use 220 Volts at minimum Voltage ,maybe it is easier to Produce the Voltage for HF is needed

[@branimirmarold7343]

thank you, respect! lol at hair styling xD

[@martinjoseph7029]

Hair by "helmet". It's in the credits of most of his videos! Hey Kevin, review the MTS251si if you get the chance. I would love to see some videos with the pulse function.

[@KevincaronSculpture]

All ready did... Check the playlist....

[@samp1394]

Looks to me that HF is dangerous ?

[@KevincaronSculpture]

Gives you a little tingle but not bad. Not recommended for long term exposure also.

[@richardwesterfield4578]

to bad you cant Tig weld with one arm . I had a stroke and the right arm does work

[@KevincaronSculpture]

+richard westerfield You can!!! Look here... search.yahoo.com/yhs/search?p=cold+wire+feed+for+tig+welding&ei=UTF-8&hspart=mozilla&hsimp=yhs-002

[@danielmurray929]

Also im in a wheelchair and foot pedals are utterly irrelevant

[@KevincaronSculpture]

I hear ya!