Recommendations for a WP20 flex head torch

[HughF]

You can just bend the non-fixed head one... Not advised, but I've done it before a lot, probably on that wp-26

 

[MattH]

You can just bend the non-fixed head one... Not advised, but I've done it before a lot, probably on that wp-26

Lol, now that is interesting.

 

[Tom Orrow L]

Just gonna throw it in the mix. Binzel do a decent TIG torch, cables are quite flexible and they're a lot nicer when you throw on a nylon sheath. Everything on them either US or UK manufactured.

Richard had a WP17 version of us a month or two ago and I think he gets on with it quite well.

Not overly cheap but not immensely expensive either.

 

[HughF]

I've used the binzel wp20's with the superflex hoses and the leather wrap for many years on high current welding lathe type work, nice torches but I understand from Jim Davey that he's had problems with the hoses leaking at the bsp ends...

 

[Richard.]

That binzel torch is perfect for my needs of a gas cooled torch. Needed stripping of the rubber sheath and fitting with a nylon one to make it very nice indeed.
Hugh I disagree about the sw320. You don't need to run high current to justify it as its as tiny as the rest of them but has that capability in reserve. I would have one if I was sat at 60 amps all day just because of how nice they are to hold and move around your grip. I like the speed bump i prefer it to the round but if you can try both because some prefer the round. The bump sits in your hand so nicely but is not cumbersome in any way.
If you've got the cash Matt (250-300) I'd recommend one all day long and I've tried them all at one time or another.

 

[norlander]

Don't know if this is any use to you Matt, but here is my CK flex head alongside a Binzel WP26. The flex is tweaked a tad to make things easier for me. You don't need to wring its neck or flex it 200 times, I've tweaked mine about 5 times.


But also, there are other dodges to make life easier, the flexi hoses have been mentioned, as has the nylon sheath, seen here against the usual material


another dodge I use is a hose support roller I made up, it takes the weight off the hose and just makes life a bit easier for me



some dogmatic posts on what folks need or don't need, some use TIG fingers, others don't .

I need the little tweaks n aids cos me right hand goes like this, the surgeon set it for the handlebars but the bend is not so good for TIG


me left mitt goes like this


the tendon to me thumb snapped so they took the spare one to the bogey pickin finger to give me a working thumb, again not brilliant for feedin rod, but I muddle by.
So if you think summat will make life easier give a go boss.
Good luck, onwards n upwards, evry days a learnin day.

 

[Richard.]

Afaik Matt has sorted himself with a torch now. I'm sure he'll fill in with details when he's back to try it out.

 

[MattH]

Back home from holiday to a nice surprise:



Brand new in the box with the original speedway accessories still sealed in the bag.
Popped a cheap Chinese gas lens in temporarily.

 

[Richard.]

You'll be able to pop a ck one in with angled collets in tomorrow Matt.

 

[Richard.]

Also ive prepped you 2 x 2.4 tungstens the way I would use them for ac.
I did you a dc prepped 1.6.
Try out the ac ones on 70/30% balance and see what you think. If you like the prep copy it. It is the only way I do them.

 

[MattH]

Also ive prepped you 2 x 2.4 tungstens the way I would use them for ac.
I did you a dc prepped 1.6.
Try out the ac ones on 70/30% balance and see what you think. If you like the prep copy it. It is the only way I do them.

Thanks buddy, I'll try them out as soon as they show up tomorrow (not back to work proper until Tuesday).

 

[Tigman]

Also ive prepped you 2 x 2.4 tungstens the way I would use them for ac.
I did you a dc prepped 1.6.
Try out the ac ones on 70/30% balance and see what you think. If you like the prep copy it. It is the only way I do them.

give us a picture of your prep Richard , ive tried many different shapes and still havent found anything that I can rely on

 

[Richard.]

give us a picture of your prep Richard , ive tried many different shapes and still havent found anything that I can rely on

No probs I'll put one up Tomoz.
Ive too over the years tried them all. Small flats, shallow/narrow points ive even tried to shape a ball on the grinder and while some work well the best prep for me giving total control over the ball size is a narrow angle 90% of the way followed by a shallow angle at the top. The angles always stay the same but the size of the top prep determines the ball size. So you can have a tiny ball for thin gage and fillets if you want. This can also be achieved with flats to a point but a flat never balls quite as evenly. It's easier to explain in a pic. Tomorrow I'll do that.

 

[Tigman]

cheers !

 

[Richard.]

This is how ive been doing them over the last couple years.
I keep the angles roughly the same all the time the only thing I change is the size of the cone at the top. If I want a bigger ball to develop I'll make that cone bigger and grind it on further down the narrow. So far it's the most reliable prep ive found for consistency. Obviously the balance setting is going to have an effect on it like all ac preps

 

[HughF]

Nice to see the torch was as good as it looked in the auction

 

[Richard.]

Nice to see the torch was as good as it looked in the auction

Yes it certainly the one I would of gone for.
Not sure about the girly colour though lol. Mine was blue.
Get it dirty Matt then it might look a little more like a mans torch.

 

[HughF]

25ft'er as well....

 

[norlander]

Not sure about the girly colour though lol. Mine was blue.

Water cooled big Jess.................................... morning Richard, good weekend mate?

 

[Richard.]

Ha ha yes it was very nice thanks.
Happy to be a big Jess as always.