First: I am a weekender--not a professional--but can actually weld relatively well in my range. The following is from my experience.
You might want to consider a torch-end amp control. I have the rotary control by CKW. I have had it for about two years and it has held up for me. I found I had to get used to it--it's a little harder to maintain control on the torch action while my finger is controlling the amps. (Each adjustment to the amps and especially pushing to 'off' has the potential to distort the desired torch action.) I used it a lot for the last 2 years, even at the bench when it was not essential, and got quite good at it. (but, it is easier to control the torch when I control amps with the foot pedal.) While I find the torch-end amp control a bit of a challenge, I have to write that it is a HECK of a lot better to use the torch-end amp control than trying to squeeze the foot pedal between my knees in an awkward (away-from-bench) position!
I found the CKW Amptrol expensive but I'd make the purchase again in a New York minute. CKW is a good company--they'll actually talk with you personally. From some limited discussion of the CKW amptrol here and from the techs at CKW, it seems like it is holding up in industrial use. CKW is at:
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Ciao, David Todtman