TIG torch (CK Flex Loc)?

[Chris Stevens]

Was going to get a Speedway torch, but dont like the odd shaped rubber bunion on the handle, so looking for something else. Friend has one of these:

Tried it and seems very good indeed, and I would guess makes some very fiddly jobs far far easier? Wonder if anyone else has one, and if so what do you think?

 

[Richard.]

You have the option on the handle with the speedway. You can have the conventional round type or speed bump. I paid a little extra for the speed bump as I really like it. Regarding flexloc it's very highly regarded by lots of members and I can see why but I don't particularly like them. The angle on the handle for me is waaaaaay too shallow and when I off set the torch head to get the desired handle angle then the head is set to one side. I think for me if I was to own one it would be hung up for 80% of its life while I can get away with the conventional type but I can imagine I would use it for its intended purpose when I just can't quite get the position I need on the very odd occasion. I'm of the minority though with these FL torches. I think langy uses one all the time and gets on well with its design for all his tig so like everything horses for courses. I'm converted to speedway now. The sw320 is second to none IMO. I'd go speed bump every time too.

 

[Chris Stevens]

I didnt know you could get round handle Speedway, which for me would be a good deal better than the bunion type thing. However the FL seems perfect for certain jobs I do, which while they are possible with a conventional torch, would be much easier with the FL.

 

[Richard.]

I didnt know you could get round handle Speedway, which for me would be a good deal better than the bunion type thing. However the FL seems perfect for certain jobs I do, which while they are possible with a conventional torch, would be much easier with the FL.

Yes you can get either Handles for the sw320 to suit your preference. . The flex loc is probably cheaper as well. Is this for the Mls or Tecarc? Rapid build them quick for the Kemppis. I got a price off them for the standard wc torch which was really good price too but the sw just seemed to be more for me. Jim built it for me and was great with giving me all the details/options.

 

[Chris Stevens]

FL is £313 on the Rapid web site, so pretty pricey. I think though probably well worth it as it makes some jobs far far easier, and others which are difficult/impossible doable.

 

[Richard.]

Wow yeah it is pricey. Is that with or without vat? Half the problem is the machine. There is quite a lot of work and parts goes into making aftermarket torches work with the Mls. Bet if it was a straightforward dins or 3/8 thread it would be cheaper. It's well worth the cash to have a quality torch IMO.

 

[Richard.]

Have you priced up the techtorch version of the flexloc type? Doubt it will be cheaper but worth a look

 

[wheresmejumper]

I ordered mine to suit a specific machine from America for about £150 I think

 

[Richard.]

I ordered mine to suit a specific machine from America for about £150 I think

Water cooled?? That is cheap. Is that inc taxes, shipping etc.

 

[wheresmejumper]

W/c was 20 quid more i think,price to the door.rapid prices at the time were laughable.havent looked since

 

[langy]

FL is £313 on the Rapid web site, so pretty pricey. I think though probably well worth it as it makes some jobs far far easier, and others which are difficult/impossible doable.

I've been using the CK flexloc for about a year now and i'm impressed with it, got mine from the states £155

 

[Richard.]

I looked up the sw320 from the states which came in £100 cheaper but after buying the adaptor kit and anphonal plug (which isn't a standard 7 pin FYI) kemppi modded it so standard ones don't fit. It actually worked out the savings were not that big on what I paid here. Also saved me the hassle of fitting and wiring it in etc. I think if it was a dins or 3/8 thread live I'd of been lots better off importing it but the Mls fittings and gas through live on a WC torch made it not really worth it. That adaptor was over 45 quid alone and the genuine kemppi one is silly Money.

 

[Richard.]

I've been using the CK flexloc for about a year now and i'm impressed with it, got mine from the states £155

What do the WC flex locks come out at from there nowadays Steve.

 

[Piero]

Sorry to say. I am not convinced of the rip off prices for these so called mega torches.

The costs involved to build/sell a cheap torch ain't that much less than the Costs of building a so called mega torch.

For £300 you cam buy a complete tig welder.
Not the best I grant you.
But a welder none the less.

Think how much more effort goes into build a tig set.

Sorry to sound harsh. But if everyone runs around singing the praises to these grossly overpriced tig torches not only will they keep getting sold.
But more people will think there worth the price tag.

Please note. I am not saying there not any good. Nor am I saying they ain't better than the standard torches that come standard.

All I think is the price tag some of these torches demand is grossly over the top compared to what the cost to build.

It's mostly a length of rubber hose. Simple.
Cheap cloth overbraided rubber hose.

Rant over

 

[Richard.]

Sorry to say. I am not convinced of the rip off prices for these so called mega torches.

The costs involved to build/sell a cheap torch ain't that much less than the Costs of building a so called mega torch.

For £300 you cam buy a complete tig welder.
Not the best I grant you.
But a welder none the less.

Think how much more effort goes into build a tig set.

Sorry to sound harsh. But if everyone runs around singing the praises to these grossly overpriced tig torches not only will they keep getting sold.
But more people will think there worth the price tag.

Please note. I am not saying there not any good. Nor am I saying they ain't better than the standard torches that come standard.

All I think is the price tag some of these torches demand is grossly over the top compared to what the cost to build.

It's mostly a length of rubber hose. Simple.
Cheap cloth overbraided rubber hose.

Rant over

While I totally agree that the prices of these things are eye watering, the benefits you notice when it's in your hand make it somewhat more bearable. Mine was also that sort of money but I can take it and use it to its full capacity on a 300 amp machine which cheaper ones won't allow for. The materials are superior such as silicon with over braid , nickel plated copper for corrosion resistance on the cables, hard wearing copper nickel pipes that don't break after a flex or two, full soft leather sheath etc etc. I'm one for putting stuff through its paces and have broken/burnt plenty of 80-100 quid WC torches and after you've broke 3 you've paid for your mega torch which will last for so many years. Overpriced? Yes but I don't for a second regret paying it.

 

[Richard.]

You could say the same about your lorch water cooler. I've built enough of them to know the simple layout and components that go into them. I even build them with the same quality pumps and fittings that the top line brands use for a fraction of the cost. I know how much they are to build roughly too yet you'll still pay a premium for the lorch in the same way others do for a ck torch. It's the same thing. They are all a rip off but we pay it because when it's doing what we want and doing it well, it's worth it.

 

[Piero]

Richard.

I did make a note. To say I think they are good bits of kit.

That's not the argument.

But a torch is a simple thing.

These mega torches do not warrant there price tag.

Re my Lorch. I won't argue one point with an other.

Simply as a thread can get very side tracked.

I am 100% positive you would all be SHOCKED at the mark up of these torches.

Which in percent terms would be far more than the mark up on my water cooler

 

[Richard.]

I'm not disagreeing they are over priced but like I say worth the price IMO when compared to breaking a cheap one every year which is easily done. Look at it this way and cheap torches are more of a rip off. Mark up I couldn't care less about unless I was thinking of making my own as a possibility then cost of materials would be looked into. The cooler point was very valid as with a lot of high branded stuff (masks too) these things like the torch cost little to make when compared to the price to us. It's absolutely no different.

 

[Piero]

Yes and no.

There's more to it than that.

One could hardly argue that there's much resources gone into the development of a tig torch compared to a water cooler.

Not all water coolers are the same.

Mine for instance is switched on by demand.

It works with the tig welder.

The welder will time out after a few seconds if the cooler is switched off.

There not all the same. There would have been research before the basic costs of production.

A torch is a bit of hose. A handle wrapped in silicone and a handle.

 

[Richard.]

We have to agree to disagree and call it a day. Your cooler like mine is a simple thing.
A pump a rad a tank and a small board telling it to run from the torch switch and shut off after a number of mins. I could go on all day with the price of branded items we all buy and there cost to make but it would make for a long drawn out post. If you don't weld full time you'll probably never really justifie such a cost as cheaper torches will last been picked up once a week but otherwise cheap torches are more costly I would even go as far to say consumable when used every day all day. Pipe welding with a cheap torch is totally chucking money away. Id be shocked if they lasted a week in the hands of a pipe welder. The heat been deflected back from the inside of the prep followed by hot runs going in with minimum stoppage then there is the constant pressure applied to the neck by cup walking. Expensive torches are much cheaper than low cost ones to the pipe boys.