Tig torch question.

[Drains]

Wot ho folks.
Ok, i've just got me hands on an inverter, so I can do a bit of scratch start tig learning, hoho.
It's a 200A rig, so power isn't a problem, but I'm wondering, do I go for a wp9 torch or a wp17 torch?
Two reasons for the Q - I don't know the max amps for a wp9, but i'll probably mostly be working on small stainless bits and I have absolutely no idea if the 17 is suitable for tight work.

Opinions?

 

[Welderpaul]

As an indication mines a 140A inverter and the torch supplied with it is a WP17. WP9 might be a bit piddly?!?

 

[weldequip]

WP9 is 125amps rated & WP17 is 150amps rated. The WP9 uses a physically smaller head & spares so is more suited to tight access jobs, but the WP17 is by far the most popular on small (ish) Inverters.
weldequip

 

[Drains]

Hmm.. I think WP's "might be a bit piddly" comment sort of sways me, plus i'm not thinking of welding up inside a gnats chuff, so I might just go with the flow on this one!

Thanks lads.
Si

 

[weldequip]

WP26 is the next model up Si, 200amps rated; then you get into the water cooled stuff.
weldequip

 

[malcolm]

Mine is water cooled, though Weldequip will have a better idea of what it is than I do. Seems handy enough to me - I have different shaped ceramic shroud things for different jobs and amps. There's one with no taper, then one that goes down to about 10mm at the end, and another for really thin or cornery stuff that goes down to about 6mm.

 

[Welderpaul]

whats the story with the shrouds? For downhand sheet weld where access is not an issue what size shroud do i need to be looking for?

 

[weldequip]

Depends on what size Tungsten you are using & what material you are welding; there are loads of different options available:- standard set-up with half a dozen different ceramic bores, 'gas-lens' set-up with another half a dozen different bore ceramics & 'large diameter gas-lens' with another half a dozen different bore ceramics!
weldequip

 

[Drains]

Anyone know of any published recommendations for material/shroud/tungsten,gas lens etc combos?

 

[Drains]

Answer me own question...
I just found this
http://www.millerwelds.com/education/TIGhandbook/
on the miller site. Very, very useful looking publication. You have to download each chapter individually.
For those what want to know, chapter 8 gives some guidelines for cups/tungstens, but tbh, the rest of it is extremely informative, including tables for materials and welding processes (aluminium on dc over 1/4"!!!); troubleshooting, allsorts,
A good read.

 

[Welderpaul]

Good find that Si. Top Marks.

 

[Drains]

Cheers matey.

Also worth taking a look at this article
http://www.millerwelds.com/education/articles/articles37.html
It's about welding sheet with Mig and Tig, + advice on ally, tungsten prep and the like.
The Miller site is worth a real hard trawl:- full of goodies.

 

[Welderpaul]

Anyone know where I can obtain the user manual for a Lincoln Electric Invertec 140S?

 

[snowcat]

Lincoln site i should think, sure i got a manual off there for something.

 

[Welderpaul]

Tried - don't seem to have anything on my welder except a two page pdf advertisment.

 

[snowcat]

If you get stuck iv got a 170 imagine its much the same i can scan and send to you in a pdf, dont remmber the english being many pages most of its disclamers incase the yanks sue lincoln for a nasty burn or something. good machines the little invertecs although im tempted to trade in for a fronius.

 

[Welderpaul]

Snowcat - I would be very grateful if you could send it to me. I'll let you have my email on PM if you can - thanks mate!

 

[snowcat]

no problem il dig out the book and send it to you over the weekend.

 

[Welderpaul]

Thanks mate

 

[snowcat]

paul try link. http://content.lincolnelectric.com/pdfs/products/navigator/im/im585.pdf