I'm about to go on a course for TIG welding of aluminum in the overhead position and wonder if ther are any propietary devices on the market that clamp to the torch to keep it a fixed distance from the workpiece?

(I did find a home-made device in this forum at

http://www.metalshapers.org/101/draczuk/shoptip9.shtml

but wonder if there's anything else out there.)


I expect the answer is no and the advice is just to get stuck in - well, any additional advice would be very gratefully received.

Many thanks

Martin

Some folks "walk the torch", having the cup contact the metal, to facilitate control of the arc length. Using that technique, you control the arc length with the angle of lean of the torch.

Richard

You might try to modify or make a devise like the DILLON TORCH uses. It is a little 2 wheeled device to keep their cutting device even with the metal. It will only work on flat surfaced or low croened. Overhead on Alum will be very interesting. It is hard enough doing it on a table. Good luck. Fred 26T

Thanks Richard and Fred for your advice. The other thought I had after pondering on the advice on the link http://www.metalshapers.o[...]9.shtml was to have a go at holding the torch like a pencil as shown in the photos at http://www.practicalmachi[...]e39cd&
but putting a couple of turns of exhaust (I think that's "muffler" in the US) heat-wrap round the ceramic cup.

Many thanks

Martin

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