Old lincoln 185 compact torch replacement please help!

[Simmo3254]

Hi peeps,

I have just bought a lincoln electric 185 compact from Ebay. The torch needed replacing so I bought a mb15 binzel euro torch today. When I tried to fit it it goes into the socket fine on the welder but the bit from torch that screws over the eurosocket is slightly to big by a mm or 2. It won't grip the thread of the eurosocket.

Does anyone know if the old Lincolns had a different size eurosocket.

Have I made a mistake or should any eurosocket torch fit?

I was trained in welding and fabrication in the royal engineers but havnt touched a mig for about 20 years so a little bit rusty on this stuff. Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Old lincoln torch on the left new torch on the right.

 

[Munkul]

a euro socket should be a euro socket.... I've never came across one that didn't fit another. Are you sure it doesn't just need a bit more of a wiggle?

 

[Simmo3254]

Yes im pretty sure, I loosened the eurosocket from the feeder so it would push further out the front of the machine. The new binzel torch threads just would not grip to socket. Tomorrow im going to remove the socket from the machine so I can really see if there is a difference.

 

[Simmo3254]

This is the machine. Its old I think it was discontinued in 2010.

 

[Munkul]

We have a 220 same as that, it's always been a standard euro torch that works.

 

[Simmo3254]

Old fitting on the left and new torch on the right. There is a gap between the fitting and the eurotorch socket. No matter how I wiggle it just won't thread on.

 

[arther dailey]

it might be a fault with the new replacement that you bought , any one local you know you could borrow a torch from just to try fitment.?

 

[Simmo3254]

Hi all , thanks for the replies. I took the welder and torch back to the shop. Every mb15 abicor would not fit. We tried 4 different ones. The mb25 abicor went straight on. Guy in shop said he's never seen that happen. Must be slight difference in tolerances on the smaller torch. Either way. Im chuffed now. I rebuilt the welder and now it works. Im going to fully restore it just for fun.