Powertig 185 Finger Amp control 17 Series torch availability

[Benthos]

On the sales page under the Powertig 185 it suggests possible availability of a FINGER AMP CONTROL 17 SERIES TORCH. 15 FT. Is this in stock, and what is the list price for it? Thanks so much.
CW

[Depdog]

Any news on the fingertip amp control?

Glen

[sportbike]

The fingertip controls require 4T operation. Arc maintains after initial trigger. The PT185 does not have a 4T mode.

[Depdog]

The fingertip control works just like the pedal it's just controlled by your finger. The pedal works just fine, so I can't see a reason why the fingertip control would not.

Thanks
Glenn

[Rambozo]

The fingertip control works just like the pedal it's just controlled by your finger. The pedal works just fine, so I can't see a reason why the fingertip control would not.

The Everlast fingertip control has one button for the switch and a separate dial for power. While in theory you could use it in the 2T mode, it would be difficult and might require two hands to pull it off. It was designed to be used in 4T where you tap the switch to start the arc, then move your finger to the dial to control power. 2T mode requires you hold the button down then use another finger to work the dial. Look at some of the pictures of the torch posted.
However, there are other types of finger controls that would work fine, where there is only one combination switch and power control.

[Depdog]

I have not seen the torch in question, must be like the one that came with Hobart a few years ago. I was thinking along the lines of the CK one. No on off switch, just a potentiometer (sp) like the foot pedal.

Found a thread where CK said they were making the controls for the Everlast stuff. Looks like Everlast and Longevity use the same pot. and 7 pin connector, as the part numbers that were given come up with Longevity stuff when you google them.

Will call CK tomorrow and see what I can confirm.

Thanks
Glenn

[performance]

Let me confirm it for you...We sell CK, and I've been working with CK on this very issue. You will get limited amp control on this unit because the pots don't match the specs of the foot pedal. I'd expect you'd top out at 150 amps...possibly less. Each unit is a little different. CK is very hesitant about selling these to customers because of this issue. I'm working on that issue as soon as the website goes live.

[Depdog]

The new foot pedal has a 47k pot correct?

So is CK sourcing a new pot to correct the issue?

Thanks
Glenn

[performance]

No they aren't.

[Cippee]

I have a CK rotary amp control and the 10k pot gives me full amp control except for 5 amps on my powertig. I just made a post about it I'm not gonna regurgitate myself but you can read it if you want. I don't know why it works but it does. I spoke the the tech at CK last week and he said they are considering making a 50k pot for everlast and longevity. He didn't guarantee but he said they have had so much inquiry's that they have considered it. As good as the 10k one works for me I wouldn't pay to buy a replacement pot for my switch. I don't know how it works on other models though.

[everlastsupport]

I believe the 210EXT is 1K and I thought I heard the newer machine would work with other values as well as the 47K (at least EXT line).. Mark can correct me if I am wrong.

[Depdog]

No they aren't.

Which, the Everlast is not 47k or CK is not sourcing a 47k pot?

Thanks
Glenn

[Kempy]

I have tried the CK amp controller on the 250EX and it will only go to 230A but the same one on the 255EXT it will do the complete range AC or DC with the 10K. The Everlast Amptrol has a 47K and will do the complete range on the 250EX and on the 255EXT.
The Everlast Amptrol as Rambozo said it is designed for 4T not T2. The CK is for 2T it works like a foot pedal on the torch head it has a switch that turns the machine amps on and then goes to the pot at the same time like the foot pedal should. I think the 255EXT and the 210EXT will work with different K pots 10K or 47K (potentiometer) I also think the electronics in the EXT's will excepted most Pot's.
I have a CK 25K off my old Hobart I will try it to see if it works on my 250EX and 255EXT.


Everlast Amptrol unit out of the handle

[performance]

CK is not. They said it was too expensive as it might cost up to 40k to invest in new pots after all is said and done. There are none currently that will fit their units that they know of. It will have to be built, and then a minimum order of several 10's of thousands possibly...then they have to stock, add part numbers etc.

[Depdog]

I have not taken apart my foot controller to check yet, but from the operation of it, when you first move the pedal a fraction there is a click, which I think it to "turn on the welding power and the gas solenoid) at this point your at minimum amps. Then as you move the pedal, you can feel the resistance pick up and this is where you get the variable amperage from the pot.

Or is it just a pot. in there that is handling the on/off as well?

Glenn

[Rambozo]

I have not taken apart my foot controller to check yet, but from the operation of it, when you first move the pedal a fraction there is a click, which I think it to "turn on the welding power and the gas solenoid) at this point your at minimum amps. Then as you move the pedal, you can feel the resistance pick up and this is where you get the variable amperage from the pot.

Or is it just a pot. in there that is handling the on/off as well?

There is a switch and a pot.

[Depdog]

I called and spoke with CK's tech support today. I was told that the current finger remotes will work with the Everlast EXT line, but they could not guarantee it to work with anything else in the Everlast line. I was also told they were "working" on a solution and have been for a couple of months, no time frame on when it would be done.

The 185 uses a 47k pot, so looks like it might be a make it yourself solution. I would like one that is shaped like a trigger on a pistol with a guard. Bet that would be easy to manipulate. Lots of ideas, but how to put them into actual use is the issue. Need some type of switch that will "turn on" the unit and gas valve at first movement and then leave it on for the full rotation of the pot, then as the pot is turned back to the minimum the switch is "turned off".

Might be stating the obvious, but it makes it easier for me to remember. LOL

Glenn

[Rambozo]

I called and spoke with CK's tech support today. I was told that the current finger remotes will work with the Everlast EXT line, but they could not guarantee it to work with anything else in the Everlast line. I was also told they were "working" on a solution and have been for a couple of months, no time frame on when it would be done.

The 185 uses a 47k pot, so looks like it might be a make it yourself solution. I would like one that is shaped like a trigger on a pistol with a guard. Bet that would be easy to manipulate. Lots of ideas, but how to put them into actual use is the issue. Need some type of switch that will "turn on" the unit and gas valve at first movement and then leave it on for the full rotation of the pot, then as the pot is turned back to the minimum the switch is "turned off".

Might be stating the obvious, but it makes it easier for me to remember. LOL

Having to hold something spring loaded with your finger would get old fast. Also a lot has to do with how you hold the torch. While it might work ok for walking the cup, it probably wouldn't for freehand. Holding it like a MIG gun is usually not the way to go. TIG is a much more precise process, and you need to be very precise with torch manipulation. Depending on the work, you should be able to hold the tip of the tungsten to a 3D location with a precision of ±.030" or better. It's one reason that the foot pedal is so common, it lets you make current adjustments without putting any unwanted motion into the torch. There are a lot of different brand finger controllers, so you can probably find one that will work or can be modified easily by changing the pot. Of course you can also build your own if you want something that isn't available. I wanted something small, so I had to build my own, too.

http://www.everlastgenerators.com/fo...7490#post37490

[performance]

The pressure required is very light, no more than holding the torch itself if I remember right. It's a micro switch. The switch is in a natural resting position for at least a couple of different possible hand holding techniques.

Keep in mind the stock 185 comes with a finger switch only, and no foot pedal, so plenty of people use it that way as it is.

[Rambozo]

No, I was talking about Depdog's idea of making a gun trigger type of variable finger control. Not the standard torch switch, or the Everlast finger control. As long as you just pull to a stop it's no big deal, but if you had to hold something spring loaded in a mid position for a long time, it would not be that comfortable. One of the main reasons that virtually all the variable finger controls are not spring loaded. The only one I know with a spring, is one that used a plunger for the variable, I think it was Airco, but I can't remember. I know Miller has had many different models, and CK also has a few with different ergonomics.