Arm rest

[MysterG]

In an effort to battle shaky hands whilst learning to TIG weld I've been working on an arm rest.
Nothing glamorous, just the sliding mechanism from an old Evolution mitre saw with most of the saw hinge part cut off. And a bit of plastic guttering bolted to it which rotates.
Arm can rest nice, relaxed and supported, and can rotate and slide smoothly.
Need to make a method of fixing it down other than clamping it in the vice, and if I can find some longer tube of suitable OD I can move more than 5" before hitting the end stop

In practise it's just a test to see if it's worth pursuing further.

 

[Dr.Al]

In an effort to battle shaky hands whilst learning to TIG weld I've been working on an arm rest.
Nothing glamorous, just the sliding mechanism from an old Evolution mitre saw with most of the saw hinge part cut off. And a bit of plastic guttering bolted to it which rotates.
Arm can rest nice, relaxed and supported, and can rotate and slide smoothly.
Need to make a method of fixing it down other than clamping it in the vice, and if I can find some longer tube of suitable OD I can move more than 5" before hitting the end stop

In practise it's just a test to see if it's worth pursuing further.

View attachment 283477

View attachment 283478

Ooh, that's a bit more fancy than mine! Looks like a neat idea.

 

[8ob]

Welding rule number one, get comfortable

Bob

 

[Tangledfeet]

Excellent idea, @MysterG - I've seen a few on YouTube, one in particular mentioned on Retropower:

 

[pedrobedro]

Rest your torch hand on a roller skate

 

[Morrisman]

I’ve been watching a program on Amazon Prime, Extreme Off-roading, or something similar. Part of it is building frames for rock crawlers, all tubular stuff, and the guy just Mig welds them nice and neat with one hand, no wavering, no,wobbling, just smooth, even beads of weld.

If I do that it looks likes worms crawling around the edges of my weld prep....

 

[Tangledfeet]

I’ve been watching a program on Amazon Prime, Extreme Off-roading, or something similar. Part of it is building frames for rock crawlers, all tubular stuff, and the guy just Mig welds them nice and neat with one hand, no wavering, no,wobbling, just smooth, even beads of weld.

If I do that it looks likes worms crawling around the edges of my weld prep....

That sounds interesting! When you say he welds with one hand is that because he only has one hand..?

 

[Blue Chips]

In an effort to battle shaky hands whilst learning to TIG weld I've been working on an arm rest.

Even without shaky hands, I find that it's sometimes nice to have some sort of arm rest for getting consistent welds, especially for long, straight butt-joint welds that you don't want to resemble your path home after the pub closes. Comfort and good visibility are two factors that I find very important for getting decent-looking welds. I've always just improvised as to arm or wrist supports, using whatever happens to be at hand, but one of these days I'd like to fabricate some purpose-built arm rest or wrist rest accessory. Let us know how it works out for you.

 

[cheb]

Welding rule number one, get comfortable

Bob

Some advice I was given was to find a comfortable position at the end of the weld and then contort yourself to reach the start point.

 

[Blue Chips]

Some advice I was given was to find a comfortable position at the end of the weld and then contort yourself to reach the start point.

Yes! I always make sure that I can reach the end of the planned weld comfortably before starting on the beginning of the weld.

 

[MysterG]

I don't think I plan ahead enough

 

[northwest]

In an effort to battle shaky hands whilst learning to TIG weld I've been working on an arm rest.
Nothing glamorous, just the sliding mechanism from an old Evolution mitre saw with most of the saw hinge part cut off. And a bit of plastic guttering bolted to it which rotates.
Arm can rest nice, relaxed and supported, and can rotate and slide smoothly.
Need to make a method of fixing it down other than clamping it in the vice, and if I can find some longer tube of suitable OD I can move more than 5" before hitting the end stop

In practise it's just a test to see if it's worth pursuing further.

View attachment 283477

View attachment 283478

Ooh, that's a bit more fancy than mine! Looks like a neat idea.

Well, that's it then. I have been toying with an idea for an arm rest when Tig welding and after looking at this and reading Dr Al's article I am going to come up with a prototype.

 

[galooph]

If I do that it looks likes worms crawling around the edges of my weld prep....

Reminded me of the Waco Kid in Blazing Saddles – But I shoot weld with this hand...

 

[gaz1]

heres a different reference for you

Ergorest 332020 Series | Office Ergonomics

Ergorest mobile forearm supports - We supply all models in the 332... product range. Ergorest supports are proven to improve posture and reduce work related injuries associated with high levels of computer use and other repetitive tasks | Office Ergonomics Limited

www.officeergonomics.uk

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Ergonomic-Rotating-Computer-Adjustable-Extender/dp/B0831G2N6B/ref=asc_df_B0831G2N6B/?tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=430752425979&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=98072195659164839&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9046684&hvtargid=pla-908609056718&psc=1&tag=&ref=&adgrpid=105650208368&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvadid=430752425979&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=98072195659164839&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9046684&hvtargid=pla-908609056718

 

[Morrisman]

That sounds interesting! When you say he welds with one hand is that because he only has one hand..?

He welds using one of his hands, should I say.
Or rather, he welds using a mig welder, held in only one of his hands. That a bit clearer?

 

[MysterG]

He welds using one of his hands, should I say.
Or rather, he welds using a mig welder, held in only one of his hands. That a bit clearer?

I remember being able to do that ... 30 years ago.