CK Flex loc torch

[oilyneil]

Hi Guys, anyone have any feedback on these?,,look very useful as I've just been doing some tight manifolds and really struggled with access and running stupid stick out,,, Do they take standard WP parts as I've stocked up with gas lenses and ceramics recently and would prefer to use them.
Thanks in advance.

 

[ben8vgte]

Yeah they take the standard fittings, wither wp17 or wp9 dependant on the torch head size. I do like mine a lot

 

[Maker]

They take standard series 2 or series 3 components (same as CK/WP 9 or 17). A couple of people here (Langy and someone else I think) don't like the standard round handle on them and replaced the handle with an ergonomic Progrip torch handle.

 

[oilyneil]

Thanks for that info,,I''m currently on a wp18f so will check if that swops ok, i can feel a late present coming in the near future,,

 

[Maker]

That uses series 3 consumables, are you after water cooled or gas cooled?

 

[chevy2]

I find a wp9 with a flat back cap gets in pretty much everywhere,
is the amperage or continued usage an issue for not using a wp9?.

 

[oilyneil]

Thanks for the suggestion Chevy,, I will see if i can borrow one to try, but alot of it is ali so I'm getting alot of heat there, running watercooled at the moment as i overheated my old 17.
I'm currently on a wp18f which is a bloody huge torch for manifolds, but something smaller would be nice, are you using water cooled or air?

 

[chevy2]

Thanks for the suggestion Chevy,, I will see if i can borrow one to try, but alot of it is ali so I'm getting alot of heat there, running watercooled at the moment as i overheated my old 17.
I'm currently on a wp18f which is a bloody huge torch for manifolds, but something smaller would be nice, are you using water cooled or air?

I run air cooled torches,
If you're overheating the 17 you really need to now go watercooled,
go up to the wp20 as its the same size as the wp9 but the 20 can handle about 250amps,
its probably wont even break out in a mild sweat on manifolds.

 

[oilyneil]

Thank you for the help,, that has cleared up a lot with the wp numbering system for me, steel or stainless was never a problem,but I've had a few ali one to do and it just got too hot for it!

Wish I didn't break out a sweat on manifolds,,some of the 4 cyl ones are damm tight!

 

[Maker]

but something smaller would be nice

Have you seen the smallest they make.

 

[chevy2]

Check out the small torch used here on ali manifolds.

 

[oilyneil]

Maker,, you haven't seen the size of my hands,, that would look like a hair in my mitts,,, about as much use welding!
Chevy, I followed marcella manifolds on yellow bullet,, some stunning work, I thinki need more practice and talent for that kind of finish,,but he seems to weld very slowly? Or am i going like the clappers?

 

[chevy2]

All about current control,
run too hot and you'll have to go like the clappers,
calm down the heat a bit and only have the max pedal amperage just above what you need for more fine control.

 

[oilyneil]

Absolutely, i think i need to slow down more with less amps, its normally welding tube to ali manifold flanges so i keep it hot to get good penetration on the flange, dont want the inlet dropping off!
In a nutshell, i need more talent and time on it !

Do you use pulse much? my current inverter (old migatronic)doesn't have it and have always wondered about making sure the next machine has to have it.

 

[chevy2]

Never pulse on ali,
Sometimes high speed pulse on thin sheet metal and stainless and if welding close to a threaded fitting for example to cut the risk of burning the edge,
Havn't pefected the low speed pulse stuff yet, like half to one pulse per second.

 

[Richard.]

90% of the work I do is AC Tig anything from 30-180 amps
I run a WP20 water cooled torch rated to 250amps (200@100%) and the only part of it that ever gets temp in it is the ceramic which cools down in about a minute after stopping. I don't think you'll have any probs with a wp20 unless your regularly welding 10-12 mm thick consistently.

 

[langy]

Neil I have a brand new WP20 water cooled torch complete if your interested

 

[Gavin_d]

Neil I have a brand new WP20 water cooled torch complete if your interested

Hi langy. If Neil is not I may be. Cheers

 

[langy]

Hi langy. If Neil is not I may be. Cheers

Someone else already pm'd me but will let you know Gavin

 

[oilyneil]

Thanks for the offer Steve, I ordered a wp20f on Chevys advice, just waiting on the delivery, so take any offer you have for it!
I had the gas lenses and ceramics arrive though,, cant beleive how small they are to have the same rating as that big wp18 I've been using,,,I'll keep it a back up though as I've got loads of ceramics and gas lenses left for it,,,