On scratch rigs I never use the rotating head, exactly as you described it messes up where the button is. Two schools of thought on button. Some guys run it with index finger like a pencil and some guys run it on inside with thumb. Me personally I despise the button start as I am typically in some tantric yoga position to weld so I will typically will not use it and go true scratch start. The foot pedal is worth the hassle dragging it around, sometimes I even had my helper run the pedal for me, or when you are in awkward spots it runs much better being under your leg. I truly believe all the years crawling around, climbing and carrying steel is what destroyed my joints. When you are welding for a living your body is just in a perpetual bind plus whatever weight you are wrestling.