A method and apparatus for welding is disclosed. The method includes sensing the status of a trigger between an on position and an off position. A system latch is set or released based on the trigger status and the latch status. The system latches on when the trigger is held for a predetermined time (and the latch was previously off). The latch is released when the trigger is pulled and released when the latch was previously on. When the latch is off, pulling the trigger turns the system on, and releasing the trigger before the predetermined time turns the system off. The latch may also be released when welding current drops below a threshold. The time might not start until after welding current is flowing. A welding wire feed speed control potentiometer on a torch is also disclosed. The range of the torch potentiometer is from a minimum to a value dependent on the control panel welding wire feed speed. A run-in wire feed speed control is also disclosed. The range of the run-in wire feed speed is from a minimum to a value dependent on the control panel or torch welding wire feed speed.