Thread: Replacement TIG torch suggestions

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!

Originally Posted by WelderMick

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.

An acquaintance has rigged up a couple of pulleys, two water bucket system for his own version of a water-cooler......if you don't want the expense or to be an environmental vandal and run tap water onto the ground.

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.

Yeah WelderMick, I too am looking for something similar. I'll let you know if I find something soon.

Originally Posted by Stringy

That 26v torch is a fair lump, could you go for the smaller basic 17v without the trigger and a gas tap.

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?

Originally Posted by Hunch

An acquaintance has rigged up a couple of pulleys, two water bucket system for his own version of a water-cooler......if you don't want the expense or to be an environmental vandal and run tap water onto the ground.

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.

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.

Originally Posted by johncar

Yeah WelderMick, I too am looking for something similar. I'll let you know if I find something soon.

That'd be great post your results here and it would be appreciated.

---
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

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

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.

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

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!!!!!!!!!

Originally Posted by Stringy

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!!!!!!!!!

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

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.PDF

Originally Posted by DoctorWu

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//TTC_om_EN.PDF

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

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 Welding

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.

Originally Posted by Hunch

Have you a shot of your connector? Usually the line just screws into the back.

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.

Originally Posted by Hunch

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.

Yeah well that would be nice as I've collected a bit of stuff (gas lenses, etc) already during my short TIG experience.

Originally Posted by DoctorWu

This place in the UK has a lot of gear. Here's the 220 at about $217AUD.

Yeah, that's a bit better - not sure what the shipping would be though. What sort of gas connector is on your torch Dr?