First Kevin shows the stock pedal. It has a nice big platform for your foot and a nice lip to hook your foot on so it doesn’t slide off, but there’s no non-skid surface on it. The other thing he didn’t like about the pedal that came with the machine is that the amperage control is on the back of the foot pedal itself. So you’d set the welder at, say, maximum amperage or 100 amps, then dial it in on the foot pedal. All the adjustment is done on the pedal.
On the SSC pedal, there is no knob. You set your welder at max amps and then control the amount of amperage with your foot pressure. The SSC foot pedal also has nonskid on the platform, which Kevin likes.
The SSC pedal is a little smaller, too, and it’s closer to the ground, which is a little easier on the knee and ankle. The two pedals weigh about the same, although the SCC pedal may weigh a little more.
The new pedal hooks up to the machine easily – it just screws right into the control receptacle on the front of the welder.
You do need to be careful to set the machine to “foot pedal.” Be sure it’s not in 4T, because the welder will keep running unless you hit the pedal again to turn it off. So make sure you set the machine on “foot pedal.”
Another nice thing about the SSC pedal is that it has less spring tension – maybe half as much – of the stock pedal. Again, that’s a lot easier on your ankle.
Kevin sets the welder at 150 amps and then gives the new foot pedal a test drive. He starts the arc small and then runs it up, and backs it down. It’s nice and smooth and controlled – you don’t have to push on it like you would the clutch of an old truck!
As for getting a new pedal, Kevin says that, when he changes something, he wants it to have value, not just be a “bright and shiny.” He looks at the pedal and says, “As you can see, it’s not bright and shiny anymore – it’s been getting a lot of use.”
If you’re ready to upgrade your foot pedal and they have one to fit your machine, Kevin says it’s a good idea. He says it took a really great machine – the Everlast POWERTIG 255EXT – and made it an even better one.
Kevin is ready to go back to work, so you have time to head out to https://kevincaron.com to see more how-to videos, or come out and “like” his Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/kevincaronstudios and join the fun there.
(Well, you might want to stick around for another minute to see Kevin dance ….)