New tig torch

[ShaunZX10R]

Hi all,

After a little help please!

I'm looking for a new tig torch, as the one that came with my welder is a little too big for my liking!

I'm using a foot pedal, so don't require a switched torch. What would you lot recommend?

Welder is an R-Tech 160A AD/DC.

Thanks.

 

[Maker]

A 17, 9 or 20 will work but you'll need a watercooler for the 20.

 

[ShaunZX10R]

Thanks! Do you have any links to the said torches?

 

[Maker]

Click the WeldEquip link atop the page, they sell Parweld. There are other nice brands such as CK and not so nice cheapaneese ones from eBay.

 

[Richard.]

The important thing to remember that buy going down in size with air cooled torches the trade off is torch duty cycle. The smallest you could go to and still use the units capacity is a wp17. The nicest size I find is a wp9 but you'll destroy it if you spend long periods up and above 120amps and even less with ac. I run a wp20 (which is identical size to a wp9 but water cooled) this is the best solution I think as I can use all 200 amps my machine has on offer with a nice tidy sized torch.

 

[Maker]

Also, do you want a flex or fixed head?

 

[norlander]

I have just been on "retorching" spree. My machine came with a 26, because my machine is a 200 amper, and AC/DC. I don't go anywhere near 200 amps (yet) so I got a 150amp 17 and a 200amp 17.
I'll be getting a third torch at some point from a gentleman on here. You can work who from this thread http://www.mig-welding.co.uk/forum/threads/tig-torch-upgrades-and-specialist-models.53808/
Note that when a torch spec is 150 amps, I think thats usually on DC-the AC amps will be lower.
Parweld and CK are the usual brands that come up, but there is also Binzel.
Langy can get CK stuff.You can get the other one from the gent in the thread.
If you have a wummans hands my lord and need to run a 9, some bloke on here from Cambridge will build you a watercooler..................

 

[norlander]

Also, do you want a flex or fixed head?

good point Maker mate,I got CK flex heads and flexi hoses because I did not know about other gear on the market.The CK flex torches have a leaflet in the box saying don't go beyond 40° and keep number of flexes to a minimum.
So when I have tried them for a bit, I will probably get a flexlok type, but not the CK one, I'll be getting one off Mr Davey.
So if you want a torch head for getting into nooks n crannies, I 'd say go for the flex lok type.

 

[Maker]

Note that when a torch spec is 150 amps, I think thats usually on DC-the AC amps will be lower.

CK quote the ACHF maximum current @ 100% duty cycle but I'm sure lesser brands don't..

Langy can get CK stuff.

Can he get it cheaper than the rest of us?

 

[norlander]

Can he get it cheaper than the rest of us?

Best speak to him on that one.

 

[Richard.]

I have just been on "retorching" spree. My machine came with a 26, because my machine is a 200 amper, and AC/DC. I don't go anywhere near 200 amps (yet) so I got a 150amp 17 and a 200amp 17.
I'll be getting a third torch at some point from a gentleman on here. You can work who from this thread http://www.mig-welding.co.uk/forum/threads/tig-torch-upgrades-and-specialist-models.53808/
Note that when a torch spec is 150 amps, I think thats usually on DC-the AC amps will be lower.
Parweld and CK are the usual brands that come up, but there is also Binzel.
Langy can get CK stuff.You can get the other one from the gent in the thread.
If you have a wummans hands my lord and need to run a 9, some bloke on here from Cambridge will build you a watercooler..................

 

[Richard.]

CK quote the ACHF maximum current @ 100% duty cycle but I'm sure lesser brands don't..

Can he get it cheaper than the rest of us?

Rapid welding do ck stuff. Langy did me a couple of gas saver kits with pyrex cups for less than I've seen them elsewhere so it's worth a pm.

 

[norlander]

I keep referring to a 200amp 17 which it isn't-its a 210. Its this one http://rapidwelding.com/dynamic/DisplayItem.aspx?c=CK-CK2112HSFFX.
If this interests you, I suggest you talk to the gents I mentioned previously.
However, knowing what I know now, I would probably have gone for this:
http://rapidwelding.com/dynamic/DisplayItem.aspx?c=CK-FL1512SF&zl=4 its 10amps short of your machines full whack though.

As you say, you have a pedal so do not need a switched torch, however, depending on how much welding you do, I would consider a slip on switch kit in case the pedal went off the road,I guess you could use these torches as lift start if that happened*-not experienced enough to know for sure, so again, I would talk to the two gents mentioned as they will advise you on the right kit, and save you money by buying right first time.
* not on my machine, you still need the switch in Lift mode.

 

[Maker]

I think all machines need the switch in lift arc just to turn the power on, scratch start doesn't have a switch because the tungsten is always live.

 

[Appyasme]

If you want to scratch start don`t forget you will need a valved torch

 

[norlander]

yr correct, I had a WP9V which is live,and I was thinking of that,which was hooked up to an MMA set, proper TIG set is going to need a switched torch.

 

[Appyasme]

Could you not use a Parweld 950B switch,a length of control cable and a multi-pin plug to fit your machine,put the machine in latch, should work.This is a cheap way of doing what you want

 

[Maker]

You can buy switches from Rapidwelding to fit onto TIG torches.

 

[norlander]

Could you not use a Parweld 950B switch,a length of control cable and a multi-pin plug to fit your machine,put the machine in latch, should work.This is a cheap way of doing what you want

good suggestion, I was actually thinking of buying the CK switch kit in case the pedal played up, so you have back up for the upmarket torch, rather than plug in the OE torch.
Its why I am going to get my next new torch off Jim Davey, as he has top quality torches with adjustable heads and he can fit a plug for my machine cos he sells them too.
My pedal might arrive tomorrow or Wednesday, so I can have a play with the new kit.

 

[Appyasme]

Yes,Jim is sound advice,he will also help you with any problems you could have.A good contact!!!