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17th July 2011, 09:16 PM #1SENIOR MEMBER
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Replacement TIG torch suggestions
Guys, I'm after suggestions:
I've got a WP-26 style air cooled torch like the picture. I was doing a fair bit of welding over the weekend and it got me thinking about something a bit more ergonomic. I tend to hold the torch up near the neck rather than the handle itself, I just find it more natural and right or not, this is the way I weld. What happens is the weight the cable and the handle itself is behind my wrist and tends to lever my hand away from the work. So by the end of the day I'm wrapping the cable around my arm, etc. to try and alleviate some of the strain.
A torch that has a shorter handle, is light weight and nice flexible cabling would be ideal. I like the look of some of the water cooled torches, but I don't want to have the expense or hassle of a water cooler. Duty cycle isn't a real issue for me and and I'm using a foot controller more than not (so don't need a switch on the torch).
Anybody got any suggestions?
Thanks
- Mick
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17th July 2011 09:16 PM # ADSGoogle Adsense Advertisement
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17th July 2011, 09:28 PM #2
That 26v torch is a fair lump, could you go for the smaller basic 17v without the trigger and a gas tap. I hold the torch by the head as well with either foot control or scratch start to bypass having to hold the handle/trigger. These handpieces also have cotton cloth wraped around the handle and covered in masking tape to profile the handle into my palm!
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18th July 2011, 09:37 AM #3Senior Member
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Originally Posted by WelderMick
A water cooled 9 torch with the high flex hose, is the best thing ever if you're not doing big amps. Have a couple of 17s around the place for non-bench work, it's still wrapping cable around the arm using them for control for me, then again, I'm a 90lb weakling.
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18th July 2011, 10:16 AM #4Senior Member
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Yeah WelderMick, I too am looking for something similar. I'll let you know if I find something soon.
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18th July 2011, 04:57 PM #5SENIOR MEMBER
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Yeah, that's the sort of thing... I was at a few web sites and it seemed all the handles were still relatively long, is there any particular reason for this? Got a picture of yours?
I'd be pretty confident rigging up some system, but really just didn't want another bit of gear in my workshop that I didn't really need. Much prefer air cooled.
That'd be great post your results here and it would be appreciated.
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I'm really not sure what all the torch codes are though (9, 9V, 17V etc.) - is there any meaning behind them?
While we're at it, can anyone explain DINSE connectors to me? The male plug on my torch is 9mm long, 9mm in diameter with with the locking lug adding another 1mm to the diameter. I see reference to 25mm dinse connectors, etc. - is this the length?
Cheers
- Mick
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18th July 2011, 05:02 PM #6SENIOR MEMBER
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Forgot to mention - I was looking at this page WP Hand-Held Air Cooled
Anybody got similar torches to these and have any comments?
Any tips for Australian sources?
thanks
- Mick
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18th July 2011, 08:48 PM #7Senior Member
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Never can work out the dinse conventions for sizes, one machine here is definitely a 50 - about 20mm long, 12mm odd in diameter, maybe there's something 50 long under the cover??
An older Esab, has something around your measurements from memory, although similar output.
The "V" designates a valve on the handle. I've got the plain jane 17 from the weldcraft site
TIG Torches for Thin- to Medium-Gauge Materials From the WP Series
came with the machine, 25ft lead, so not sure they're as readily available as Binzel, etc. I've used it about at best, maybe 4hrs over the last 6 or 7 years, tends to get too hot, even at moderate amps after about 5 or 6 minutes - for my tender mitts anyway.
I'd be amazed if you found a significant difference between your existing torch and the 17, weight and flexibility of the hoses is the most fatiguing aspect of the air-cooled stuff, in my opinion....and that's pretty much unchanged.
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18th July 2011, 09:47 PM #8SENIOR MEMBER
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Thanks Hunch, well V for valve seems pretty obvious now , so what's the actual number for - is it a weight or current rating?
I haven't had the opportunity to try other torches, but I have to agree, it is the weight of the cable and flexibility that certainly contributes to the issue. The length and configuration of the handle just exacerbates it.
One good thing about my current torch is that it never overheats.
Cheers
- Mick
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18th July 2011, 10:12 PM #9
Always thaught "V" was for voltage capacity (wrong!) and that the handpieces were rated in voltage steps,9,17,26 don't know why they are rated in volts when everything else is rated in amps!!!!!!!!!
Last edited by Stringy; 18th July 2011 at 10:18 PM. Reason: wrong
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18th July 2011, 11:03 PM #10SENIOR MEMBER
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Nah, I think Hunch is right, it makes sense on a few web sites now, V=gas valve. Also F seems to = Flex head. P=pencil head, R=rubber power cable assembly? Still don't know how the numbers 9, 17, 26 etc are derived to but seems to be related to max amps at 100% duty cycle. 9=125amps, 17=150amps, 26=200amps. Interestingly I saw some 24 series torches with a max of 80 amps. Max tungsten size also varies accordingly.
Also been looking up DINSE connectors and have probably answered my own question here. From what I can gather, a 10-25 connector is what you match for cable sizes between 10 and 25 mm2 cross-section, this has a 3/8" pin. This size is appropriate up to 200 amps, but if your welder is capable above this then a 35-50 connector is recommended (up to 340 amps) this has a 1/2" pin.
Please feel free to correct me if I'm wrong with any of this.
Cheers
- Mick
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19th July 2011, 08:59 AM #11Senior Member
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Have a look at these. I'm biased I know. I'm using a basic 220 which is smaller than the WP torches and the adjustable finger grips do work.
http://www.kemppi.com/inet/kemppi/kit.nsf/DocsPlWeb/TTC_om_EN.PDF/$file/TTC_om_EN.PDFwoodworm.
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19th July 2011, 07:12 PM #12SENIOR MEMBER
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Nice!
I found another link too... http://www.tradeweld.cz/files/1/TTC%...20prospekt.pdf which showed how they fitted in your hand. Looks pretty good.
Also found a priced for one: looked like a TTC220 with 4m cable is in the region of $300 which is a bit pricey for me.
Made me realise too, that I'll probably be lucky to find a torch off the shelf that has the right control plugs to fit my welder, so would either have to make up an adaptor or rewire the new torch.
Cheers
- Mick
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19th July 2011, 07:56 PM #13Senior Member
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This place in the UK has a lot of gear. Here's the 220 at about $217AUD.
Can anyone find a better dealer? I need a few new bits.
Buy TTC 220 4M - Tig Torch. Air Cooled. Other Lengths Available Click here. - Welding Supplies from Rapid Weldingwoodworm.
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19th July 2011, 08:00 PM #14Senior Member
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Have you a shot of your connector? Usually the line just screws into the back.
Could try a miller retailer if you want a weldcraft unit, I understand they're both owned by the same holding company, can't say they're anything special to my mind.
Silverwater welding do bring in Speedway torches. Maybe(?) they do the rest of the Tec line - which is much the same as weldcraft by appearances.
One thing if you did go for a 17 - collets, etc, all swap over from the 26....you're still left to wrestle with the rubber python.
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19th July 2011, 10:34 PM #15SENIOR MEMBER
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A momentary lapse on my part (which I seem to have more and more frequently!). The control plugs I was talking about I have my foot control plugged into anyway - not the torch . So it's just the power connector which is a 3/8" dinse which should be easy enough and then the gas line which I guess is a standard connector? (sort of screw on ball socket if that makes any sense).
Thanks for your suggestions of potential retailers... I'll investigate a bit further.
Yeah well that would be nice as I've collected a bit of stuff (gas lenses, etc) already during my short TIG experience.
Yeah, that's a bit better - not sure what the shipping would be though. What sort of gas connector is on your torch Dr?
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