Does anyone prefer euro-style handles?

[Shox Dr]

If your going to splash out on flex loc I'd probably be looking at the ihead from weldtec.

Thanks a bunch Richard, I'd forgotten about those torches. Anyone used them?

I built a cooler a while back didn't cost much, the pump was the sticking piont, cost wise.

 

[Chris Stevens]

You can save searches on eBay too if you don't want the hassle of typing in the items you need everytime.

I have several saved searches, and bargains sometimes do turn up...............I should have bought all the pumps that guy had for sale, as could have easily doubled my money on them listed in the right way.

 

[zeppelin builder]

nah them eurotorches suck better wi the old taped on switch. some times the button has to be moved to suit the job never mind the operator

Ali that looks so awkward bend the torch back to near 90 degrees and just hold it above the nut move yer block if you have to steady yer hand try it without any support put yer elbow on the bench to help the shakes
magnets can play havoc with a welding arc too [arc blow]

 

[cianh91]

Torche type never bothered me as much as the button itself i much prefer a really sensitive touch to the button helps in really tight awkward positions .
as regards flex iv the same flex on the tig in work 4 year no issues and its been flexed back and forth countless amounts once you dont stretch them to the limit they last a long time only reason for replacing at the time was pallet dropped on the lead

 

[Miggy89]

im not a fan of the torch button so i rigged up a foot switch to go with mine alot better imo

 

[Richard.]

im not a fan of the torch button so i rigged up a foot switch to go with mine alot better imo

It is until you have to take the torch away from the bench.
A big % of my tig welding is taken to the job away from the bench and I just can't get on with a pedal while laying or kneeling in obscure positions like some people can so I use a switch a lot and it's an essential thing for me personally. I do like a foot pedal when I've got the luxury of working on the bench.

 

[DennisCA]

Is that something you can make cheaply too?

 

[Jim Davey]

Yes

 

[DennisCA]

I really didn't think that was possible. A switch I guess would be simple, but a pedal to regulate the current seems like it requires some more advanced stuff? I have a remote though, but it's hand operated.

 

[Jim Davey]

It's the same thing inside. Plug, potentiometer, switch. Takes a bit of knowledge to put it all together and make it work. Kemppis often make life difficult though by requiring separate potentiometers to set min and max current. You don't want minimum to full power on the pedal, to tough to get the current you want. And the pedal overrides the current dial on the set so you can't use that to set maximum like some other units.

 

[Richard.]

You can make it seriously cheap and in no time at all if your just using it as an on off switch only.

 

[Jim Davey]

Thanks a bunch Richard, I'd forgotten about those torches. Anyone used them?

I built a cooler a while back didn't cost much, the pump was the sticking piont, cost wise.

I've used both, I sell both, and I think the Weldtec/iHead version has the edge on quality of materials over the CK offering (subjectively based on feel) but also in terms of finish and appearance. If the two are in your hands, one just feels tangibly better.

 

[Miggy89]

thats exactly what it is just a simple on/off switch still have the torch switch for when and if required but 99% i use the foot switch

 

[Richard.]

I've used both, I sell both, and I think the Weldtec/iHead version has the edge on quality of materials over the CK offering (subjectively based on feel) but also in terms of finish and appearance. If the two are in your hands, one just feels tangibly better.

Do they have similar duty ratings Jim. I know the speedway torches have a good 10% on top of the CK equivalent, I was wondering if this was the case with the loc head types.

 

[DennisCA]

It's the same thing inside. Plug, potentiometer, switch. Takes a bit of knowledge to put it all together and make it work. Kemppis often make life difficult though by requiring separate potentiometers to set min and max current. You don't want minimum to full power on the pedal, to tough to get the current you want. And the pedal overrides the current dial on the set so you can't use that to set maximum like some other units.

Since I have this remote that I set via just one potentiometer, it seems it should be possible to make some kind of foot adapter for it... That would however be a full 0-100% range all the time.

 

[Jim Davey]

You don't want to do that on a 300 amp set.

 

[Richard.]

Jim is right you won't want that on a 300 amp set.
One twitch and you'll add 50 amps to the arc. It will be way too sensitive all that range in a short Stroke.

 

[Richard.]

That's why I said to add a limit preset - you'll keep the full range of pedal travel but it'll be within (or up to) your preset.

Just like a real one

A real real one has a lower limit too so you can set your range in a nice little window.

 

[Richard.]

Add a third pot then...

It'd take a little bit of scribbling, but upper/lower limits wouldn't be a big challenge.

For a man of your talents probably not.

 

[Richard.]

Thanks a bunch Richard, I'd forgotten about those torches. Anyone used them?

I built a cooler a while back didn't cost much, the pump was the sticking piont, cost wise.

It's an interesting thread there on your cooler shox. I can see it was some years ago you made that but did you ever get it going with another pump or did the kemmpi take its place before you got it sorted.