Double torch adaptor ?

[rohart]

Is there such a thing ?

I want to have two air-cooled torches permanently connected. I'll need a two way valve for the gas line, and some kind of doubler for the juice. I won't need a switch there - I'll just make sure the torch I'm not using either has its electrode retracted, or an insulating tube stuffed over the ceramic.

I use a pedal, so there's no control line to the torch to be dealt with.

I guess I can sort the gas line out, but does anyone sell a doubler for the cable ?

 

[hotrodder]

Personally I would have thought you'd be better off looking at swapping the fittings to quick release types- my Lincoln uses dry break Q/R fittings for gas and water, torch power is dinse. I can swap a water cooled torch literally in seconds

Gas Y splitters are common, you'd need a valved one obviously and (where it'd fall apart for me) the memory to open/close 'em appropriatly. I know sooner or later i'd waste a cylinder of argon and/or make a mess by forgetting

I've no idea if the HF would be confused or happy with two torches connected. There are various torch adaptors available as there's no standard fitting, some of these could possibly do the job depending on the machine fittings/current set up

If this is for a small and big torch to hand at the same time then there's various types with interchangable heads for example... http://www.tectorch.com/ihead%20torches.htm, http://www.ckworldwide.com/flex-loc.htm, http://www.weldcraft.com/products/wp-series/wp-200/

 

[rohart]

I've seen some of those torches, but my main reason for getting a smaller torch - I use a WP17 now - is so the whole kaboodle is smaller - cable, torch, the lot.

I find I do quite a lot of 80 - 120A stuff - 1/4" ally, and machined steel components, but also a lot of 5 - 20A stuff too. Partly because of the layout of my workshop, and partly because I know myself, I know I'd find swapping torches a real bore.

But I do want a very small torch on hand whenever I need it. I suppose I can machine up an adaptor, but if there's one off the shelf, I'd prefer to go for that.

 

[rohart]

I've taken on board what you said at last. I hadn't cottoned on to quick realease at first. I then saw some QR fittings used for airbrushes, although designed for 5mm tubing, that might be slightly restrictive ojn the gas flow, and I saw the light.

Thanks. Now I just have to decide from the myriad of QD designs available !

 

[hotrodder]

The type typically used on welders are discussed in this thread http://www.mig-welding.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=24081&highlight=binzel, some pics in case the links in that thread are broken

 

[Shox Dr]

Weirdly enough I saw a Dinse doubler on ebay the other day, never seen one before

 

[normspanners]

On all my argon/argoshield regs I use air line Q/R's with no problems then you would'nt have to valve it, whichever was plugged in works. ok when you release the snap connector you loose the pipe full but you loose more when you uncouple the connector nut.
But that would mean you not even having to turn the cyl off!

 

[Windy Miller]

On all my argon/argoshield regs I use air line Q/R's with no problems then you would'nt have to valve it, whichever was plugged in works. ok when you release the snap connector you loose the pipe full but you loose more when you uncouple the connector nut.
But that would mean you not even having to turn the cyl off!

Ditto - my QR couplings have never given me grief on the mig...

 

[Shox Dr]

You can buy no loss couplings, about a fiver a set

 

[rohart]

I suppose no loss couplings would be an advantage, and would allow me to pre-flush the system less when changing over.

Though I really want the whole set up not so I can make a quick change from one torch to the other mid-job, but so I can change over quickly before a welding session.

Do you recommend any supplier/manufacturer of QC couplings, Dr S ?

 

[Piero]

Weirdly enough I saw a Dinse doubler on ebay the other day, never seen one before

So did I.
But I looked at that as useful for two earth leads not two touch ez.

My only concern with swapping out water cooled torch ez is I would like to see a plug u can buy to stick on the end off the water howses
On the cooler side the fitting has a valve. But there is still coolant in the torch thaf just leaks no matter how careful you are :-(

 

[Shox Dr]

The Valves are used for caravan Gas installs: ebay

Piero My Kemppi has them on the water cooler, with the male on the cables, doesn't look like there is a valve on that end, and water doesn;t run out, I guess because of the small bore