TIG filler rod feeding Jig

Due to small practice some people have problems with TIG filler rod feeding. In this case You can buy a TIG Pen. There is a lot of theme on the market, but they are not cheap and have their issues.

I want to share my experience making different jig for filler rod feeding. All models were printed using FDM 3d printer. Most of You will say that plastic doesn't suit for this type of tool, any way I have tested 12 different models. Most of them were used by people who work every day with them and we had no issues for about 3 months. Choose heat resistant plastics for this print. I have printed with PETG, but ABS may be even better(don't use dark filaments)

You can download model here

At first I tried to copy clasic TIG Pen. Same idea, only using 607 bearing(it was smallest on hand) Rubber ring was printed with FLEX fillament. Assembled using washers and M3 screws it was a working model but too big.

Next attempt to make a compact model was not success. Small bearing did not work properly and You needed to rooll it much faster. My hand was tired after using it for 15 minutes.

After understanding what I want form this Jig I started to make my design.

Main ideas:

  • Make it small
  • Comfortable grip
  • It needs to hold feeding rod without falling
  • It needs to be printed in single part

Curved shaped hole has a 2,5mm height between highest and lowest point(It is ~difference of 4mm and 1,6mm rod). For comfortable grip I used T-handle and first working model looked like this:

T-shape was great but after giving it for testing to our clients we figured how it needs to be changed:

  • Jig needed different grips
  • Place for finger to rest
  • T-handle was moving between fingers

Finding good grip was not easy, after trying about 20 diffent grip styles I came with this design

While using this jig try not to hold it closer than 5cm, after that point PETG may melt. Model printed on my Anycubic I3 MEGA in 1hr.