TIG Torch changing

[MikeBs]

Let me start by asking people to assume I know nothing about TIG.
If I had a standard WP26 Air Cooled TIG Torch, rigid, with button as supplied by R-Tech and I wanted to change to something nicer.
Can I assume that any other 26 head would fit or would I need to buy a complete setup with the cable?
Do people generally have a complete cable and head set for low power usage and another set for high power usage or have a high power cable and change the head when needed?
Are the electrical connections associated with the button universal or aligned to specific to certain welding manufacturers.

 

[doubleboost]

You need a WP9 switched torch .
Much more flexible and user friendly .
Good for 150 AMPS on DC .
You will also need the smaller consumables .
R-Tech will be able to sort you out .
Use my name and mention the forum .

 

[addjunkie]

You need a WP9 switched torch .
Much more flexible and user friendly .
Good for 150 AMPS on DC .
You will also need the smaller consumables .
R-Tech will be able to sort you out .
Use my name and mention the forum .

I concur….or go water cooled and use a WP20. Which will do anything your machine can do.

So hoses are more flexible and lighter than others

 

[Fazerruss]

If you want quality then go for a genuine CK or Weldtec Speedway. They're much nicer than many others on the market.
Not cheap but then quality isn't.

 

[500e]

Let me start by asking people to assume I know nothing about TIG.
If I had a standard WP26 Air Cooled TIG Torch, rigid, with button as supplied by R-Tech and I wanted to change to something nicer.
Can I assume that any other 26 head would fit or would I need to buy a complete setup with the cable?
Do people generally have a complete cable and head set for low power usage and another set for high power usage or have a high power cable and change the head when needed?
Are the electrical connections associated with the button universal or aligned to specific to certain welding manufacturers.

 

[MikeBs]

You need a WP9 switched torch .

When you use the word ‘torch’, is that just the head or a complete setup with the hose too?
I can get a ‘Tig Torch Flexible Head For WP9‘ from RTech for £20 would that replace the WP26 head.

If you want quality then go for a genuine CK or Weldtec Speedway. They're much nicer than many others on the market.
Not cheap but then quality isn't.

I don’t mind getting expensive if I start to use it a lot, but at this point I just want to explore if I will make use of a Tig welder without breaking the bank.
I am currently sticking items of cutlery together with SS wire in a MIG, but feel I am trying to crack an egg with a sledgehammer.

 

[addjunkie]

I will add…I had a wp26 torch from paraweld, found it big and awkward, not pleasant to use, cables seems too heavy too. Changed to a CK WP 9 was like a revelation in ease of use. Now use a water cooled 20 quite happily up to 200 amp. The smaller lighter torch is a big help in my opinion.

 

[hotponyshoes]

Depends what you mean by 'nicer'

A 17 will be smaller & lighter but will still take your existing consumables.

People would not normally swap torch heads over on a regular basis.
The threads/pipes inside a torch head need a bit of care when handling so its not something I'd suggest doing on a regular basis.

What I do is have one torch that copes with the maximum output of the machine (so a 26 on a 200a machine is fine) then a small, lightweight torch like a ck superflex for the delicate stuff.

The issues start when you have to do a lot of welding at a higher current as that's when the small torch won't cope and the big torch gets really heavy by the end of the weld. Then you'll be looking at water cooling...

If the cutlery you are welding is repetitive a simple jig to hold your existing torch and a cheap footswitch would just make things easier all round.
or if you are making sculptures from the stuff then a smaller mig torch might well be a lot easier to use than the tig if all you are doing is tacking it together.

 

[Agroshield]

Are the electrical connections associated with the button universal or aligned to specific to certain welding manufacturers.

The switch is a switch is a switch.

What varies the the plug on the end of the cable, which is machine-specific.

R-Tech sell the plugs as a spares item; they are also available from Ali for less money. The manual would tell you to which pins to connect the wires, or you can use your existing torch as a reference.

As above, it would be unusual and potentially not a good idea to swap heads between cables.

Again, as above, changing to a CK Superflex cable will make as much difference, if not more, to how the setup feels as changing just the torch head. Be aware that there are cables on the market that hint at being superflex, but are not (like the way Lidl name their hobnobs - as close as possible to the genuine article, but with a small differnce just to avoid being sued).

 

[BrokenBiker]

I use a 17 sized torch for everything up to 200 amps AC and DC...gets a bit toasty on AC at the higher amps but works just the same

It's not a huge torch, but not tiny, fits my hand well. I have flex head and a flex lock torches, the flex lock, once you get over the novelty of being able to twist the head, is a great little torch

 

[Popcorn]

I change to a 17 nearly straight away when I got my TIG, but even they get hot when you start welding alloy more seriously.
Ended up with the CK20 and a water cooler, best thing I ever did.

 

[BrokenBiker]

I change to a 17 nearly straight away when I got my TIG, but even they get hot when you start welding alloy more seriously.
Ended up with the CK20 and a water cooler, best thing I ever did.

I have the benefit that most of my ally welding is either small repairs or if I'm making something myself I can take my time between welds and the torch cools down, I rarely do much more than 20 mins welding at a time with the Tig...

 

[Munkul]

If I had a gas cooled 200amp ac dc, I'd keep the 26 torch assembly for heavier ally, and a 17 or 9 torch assembly for everything else.

Or make the whole thingand get a water cooler, personally I use my water cooled 20 torch for everything.
I would definitely keep the 26 torch as is, if you do any amount of aluminum.
For reference I like to run around 130 to 180 amps on even just 3mm thick sheets, a 17 torch just wouldn't do.

 

[tom2207]

a 17 and gas lens is what I use and I stick a fair bit of cutlery together from time to time ,,, a 17 will also do most fab jobs too. I have a 9 but seldom use it as it just gets warm quickly if your upping the amps at all. a 17 lets you keep all your consumables at one size and thats handy too .