Which TIG Torch to get please :)

[superclarkey]

Hi guys,


I've just purchased an R-Tech AC/DC TIG, Although the machine is great the Tig torch that came with it wasn't really that great, the cable is so heavy after a few minutes my hands are hurting from having to grip the torch so hard, I found putting the cord over my shoulder while welding helped allot as it took most of weight out of the torch but there has to be something out there with a more flexiable lead and does not weigh so much.

I've got a 161amp machine, its not water cooled.

I do normal metal work on cars and also rollcages (CDS) 2.4mm.

Also where can I get larger cup sizes (nozzle's) for the torch also, I've read you can use filters? to help gas flow when in tight areas that you need to extend the tungsten out. (size 12?)

Maybe if you could give me a few options, Don't mind spending upto £100 or so on a good torch.

Thanks in advance.

 

[FranV8]

I've the same set up, and know what you mean. There is plenty of places to get torches, although I think the main issue is the weight of the cabling and the sheath, and their inflexibility.

Depending on the current you are using you could go for a smaller torch, if I were to throw more money at things, I'd be looking for a wp9 or wp17 torch with a flexible head.

Couple of other quick fixes, you could try removing the outer sheath, and just periodically taping the bundle together, of course you'll need to be a bit more careful, a friend lent me a DC machine before I bought my machine and it was easier and not a problem with damaging the cables.

You could replace the welding cable with a more flexible one.


I normally wrap the cable around my fore arm that helps a lot. As does practice, I can do okay with holding sort of the right gap standing up and not resting on the work or anything.

The thing you're talking about is a gas lens. You can get these from the R Tech site or Weldequip site that sponsors this forum, either getting them as individual components or as a nice set of assorted sizes.

Hope this helps! Any pictures of your results?

 

[Engineer]

CK torch with superflex cables will make a lot of difference, and a good range of CK items is available online through Rapid Welding in Portsmouth.

 

[langy]

If your doing roll cages a gas lens will help you a lot, I use a Parweld WP17F with a gas lens, The flexible head is also a great bonus. I don't find it heavy at all.

 

[Shox Dr]

The torch is not where the weight is. It's the rubber sheath, get yourself a cloth type cover. Be warned the price varies wildly, you can pay upto £100 for one. But if you look you can buy a 3mtr zippered cable cover for less than 25quid.

My cable set is 4+mtrs so I just cut back the first 3mtrs and tapped it to the rubber

Search for "tig cover" or seller "weldingcity" on you know where

 

[hotrodder]

Pretty much all been said regarding torch lead/cover weight and more importantly stiffness. Torch size... the wp26 is a big clunky thing but it's supplied with one of them as smaller air cooled flavours won't cope with 160A AC. WP17 torches are typically rated @ 150A DCEN, 115A AC and use the same size collets/backcaps/ceramics etc as the wp26 i.e. torch body is a little smaller but still have the same chunky collets/ceramics.
WP9 is significantly smaller than a wp26 and uses different (smaller) collets etc, typically 125A DCEN, 100A AC. CK brand are rated @ 100% duty cycle AC i.e. a CK9 is 125 A AC, CK17 150A AC

Ceramics (cups/nozzles) are sized in 1/16 of an inch i.e. a #6 ceramic is 3/8" bore. Ceramics larger than a #8 require a larger gas lens body. Pretty much any welding store in the universe will carry gas lenses, collets and ceramics although the less common large gas lenses, extra long ceramics and the like are often special order. Monster sized #12 ceramics are typically used on heat sensitive materials/exotics that need very good gas shielding and will be a hinderance for roll cage work i.e. while you can extend the tungsten a bunch a smaller ceramic will get closer so you don't have to...

Personally i'd rather use something wp9 sized for most automotive stuff but given the amperage limitations you'd need your existing torch a lot of the time (at least for aluminium) and have to keep two lots of collets/ceramics etc. Something like a CK17F (F suffix = flex neck) on the other hand would completely replace your existing torch. As said Rapid Welding are the UK distributors for CK worldwide

 

[Shox Dr]

As Hotrodder says. Or spend a bunch more and Go Water cooled. You then run a WP9 upto 250amps. Not only do you reduce the torch size, you can get into smaller spaces, and the torch doesn't get Hot

 

[superclarkey]

Thanks for all the advice.

Is it worth getting the water cooler? could my machine be upgraded to it or is it model specific?

The torches really confuse me if i'm honest, I look through the CK and I don't really see what i need, or what i should get, none of them have switches on the torch body? so no good to me really?

I will also try using a smaller nozzle and see if i can get deeper into an area

Thanks.

 

[hotrodder]

Traditionally switches are seperate from the torch as there's various options i.e. can use a foot remote or fit an on/off microswitch or finger remote to the torch body. More torches have controls built in these days but depending on your existing set up may be able to swap the switch to the new torch (often they just clip, are zip tied to the handle, or there's a rubber cover to hold them in situ). If you were looking at torches on the Rapidwelding site micro switches and 'snap fit' holders to attach them to the torch are listed under TIG torch accessories along with various adaptors as there's several standards used for connectioning the torch to the machine although they're more relevant when adapting second seconhand kit or for swaping torches between machines

Water coolers don't have to be machine specific, various generic designs around and given the cost of the things some make their own cooler (several threads on the topic on most welding forums including this one). Torches are more expensive too. Personally i'd never consider going back to air cooled TIG but then my world is mainly aluminium (AC is harder on the torch temp wise) however if you're not using it every day to make money then harder to justify the cost. Cost aside water cooled is nicer everywhere