old (2011) 200 DX: no panel amperage control for the footpedal, options?

Hi all,
RE year 2011 200DX machine
I know this has been answered a million times, but most of the advice for this old machine is also very old and there may be better options available now.
I want to TIG very thin metal and fill rust pits on antique gun barrels and so I want to experiment with low amperage settings. I would like to use the foot pedal, but on this old machine maximum amperage is set from the footpedal's rheostat and not the from the 200DX's front panel. But, the rheostat settings are really only a relative index of amperage and not an exact measure, plus, the heat output in response to the pedal numbers is very non linear: at a setting of "7", nothing much happens, but at "8" you get almost full power (at least on mine).
I'm assuming that to get panel control over the footpedal I would need to get a new machine, so the answer for me, I assume, is a better footpedal. Any new good ones that would fit this old machine, or barring that, a pointer to a do-it-yourself job?
Thank you in advance.
-thirtyforty

Really there aren't any options for this older model in the way of foot pedals.

Nothing from the factory, but there are some DIY options. Nothing remotely plug and play, but if you don't mind playing around with it for a while... There are a few threads here that will give you some direction.
http://www.everlastgenerators.com/fo...t-with-Arduino
http://www.everlastgenerators.com/fo...-for-PA160-STH

You will have to check your machine, but it is very likely the same where the power level is set by a 0-5 volt signal. You can modify your pedal in a bunch of ways, or build something new. If electronics is not your thing, I have even seen someone make a pedal with a bicycle brake cable that went up to turn the knob on the front of the machine when the pedal was pressed.
Obviously the easiest way is to just get a new machine, but there are options.

Another thought.

http://www.everlastgenerators.com/fo...r+welding+amps

Mark, this pedal is listed on your site as working with older machines is this true? I spoke with Andrew who said it will work but that it does not actually have a knob on it even though the description says it does.

http://www.everlastgenerators.com/pr...dal-22k-%CF%89

Also from an older thread I was reading on there the rheostat pot is a log pot so if you change it to a lindear one you will have better control. Mine is the same as yours where practically nothing happens until the knob is almost all the way to the top then it gives you full power!

When this was put up, we had considered producing the pedal with an adjustable knob, but due to inventory limitations and constant confusion we did not. The older style pedal is still available with the control though...the one with the belt.

OK, well the old block one I have is awful I think I would be better off buying the one I linked and adding another potentiometer like the old one has, but maybe closer to the welder.