Cheapest TIG Torch

[Onoff]

I'm after the cheapest TIG Torch I can get to try with this.

The manual shows this:

Thinking this as it comes with gas / power line. (The torch connection needed is a 10-25 as in 9mm 'ish diameter):

WP17 WP17FV Welder Gun TIG Welding Torch 150A 3m/ 5m/Soft Hose Flexible Gas Valve Quick Connector DKJ10-25 35-50 Wholesale - AliExpress 1420

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[minimutly]

The trouble with cheap tig torches they tend to be stiff, clumsy things with thumb switches, which I find clumsy. Seem to remember about £18 would buy you one?

 

[Onoff]

The trouble with cheap tig torches they tend to be stiff, clumsy things with thumb switches, which I find clumsy. Seem to remember about £18 would buy you one?

Thanks. Do I need a "flexible head"?

A little worried about buying a cheap torch and not being able to get consumables.

I last TIG welded at college 42 years ago...

 

[minimutly]

I'm no tig expert, just a learning amateur, but my cheopo torch was too long, to stiff, and the flexi ball joint was rubbish. The too long bit made it so that you had to move your hand in order to move the pool. Short and flexible with the switch underneath (or moveable) would be my choice.
A gas lense I found to be invaluable also, if a bit cumbersome, since it needs wider cups.
Oh, from your drawing of the tig setup, you will need a torch with built in gas valve, no switch, it will be scratch start

 

[Kram]

Yes a flex head will allow you to get a comfortable torch position most of the time, a fixed head can be a pain for that, but heads are clvery cheap and easy to swap over.

Decide the size. 26 and 17 are common and share the same collet consumables. Wp9 are much smaller. Wp20 is the watercolled version of wp9.

For a small welder and low current stuff, wp9 is best, 17 if you want to do thicker stuff.


I wouldnt use a valved torch, you could i stead have a foot operated valve or a solenoiod operated.

If your welder can use the switch contacts to start and stop the tig power, you can also use the power to activate solenoid. Otherwise a foot switch and external power supply. A simple delay circuit will give you gas post flow.


As you mention "cheapest", you could do as my first torch. Several meters of small gas hose. Several meters of welding wire, several meters of sleeving. An adaptor for the torch head with the power cable brazed to it., dinse plug on other end.
Note that torch heads and collets, are silly US imperial threads, UNF/UNEF I remember. However some collet holders share the same threads.a d are ideal to make the adaptor from.

 

[Kram]

Wp17/26 collets are 3/8 UNEF 32tpi.

Wp20 connection is 1/4" UNF 28tpi

Wp9 and wp17 torch connection, and wp9 collets share 5/16 UNF 24tpi threads.

Wp26, Connection is 5/8" 18 UNF.

For torch head Id recommend Wp9F or WP17F You could get a wp9FV (valved) head if you want to keep simpler on gas but it will waste more. For wp17 I use the stubby colets that take wp9 gas shrouds.

Parts list for the torch:
Torch head
Wp9 collet (for torch connection). Drill it out, braze power connection on the side and use the end, drilled out, as a hose barb.
Length of hose, I think I used 5 or 6mm OD windscreen washer hose.
10m² or 16mm² welding cable
10-25 dinse plug
Zip ties to keep hose and cable together
Denim, leather or rubber tig torch sleeve to protect hose.

Solenoid
Foot switch

 

[zzr1200]

I would say you need a manual gas valve tig torch, AliExpress if you can wait for the delivery. 5m is the shortest I'd go for.