TIG Torch Recommendation?

[Graham08]

The torch on my Lincoln Precision TIG 275 has about had it...I've had the machine for nearly 20 years and I'm still on the original torch. I am planning to pick up a new #20 size water cooled torch for it and have been looking at the CK Worldwide product line at this point. I'll be getting a standard #20 torch, not a flex head or anything too elaborate.

Anyone have any recommendations of other brands I should be looking at?

 

[Steve from Socal]

Personally I prefer Tec torches, I have a CK torch new in a box that I never used. It is a back up. Not the same quality as Tec IMO. No affiliation just a satisfied customer.

TEC Welding Products Inc.

www.tectorch.com

 

[Graham08]

Thanks for the tip! Do you run the Speedway torch or one of the other models? Their deluxe package with the hose cover, etc. looks like what I want. A little pricy, but if I get another 20 years out of it, it will be worth the investment.

 

[rlitman]

I had Weldcraft flex before I upgraded to CK swivel head. I'm not looking back.
CK has the best hoses on the market as well.

 

[txvwnut]

I've got a Nova Rota-flex and have been very happy with it. The 9 and the 17 use the same body so all you have to do is swap heads when you need to run higher amps.

 

[zmotorsports]

Graham, I had replaced the standard Weldcraft WP-20 on my Miller Dynasty 300 almost immediately after bringing it home back around 2006. I installed a Weldcraft 20 size flex head and used it up until about 3 years ago. It worked well but I was gentle on it when I flexed it and knew it's limitations as far as bending and didn't push it. For the most part it did everything I needed it to but there were a few times when I was building sand drag chassis that it would bend a bit further. About 3 years ago I replaced it with a CK Flex Loc 230 and absolutely LOVE it. Best TIG torch I've used so far and I think their Super-Flex cables are the best in the industry. They are so light and flexible there is no way I would go back to the standard heavy hoses again. I was worried about wear and tear being a pivoting head but so far I have experienced no issues at all. I even bought a couple more of the rotating heads and seals to have them on hand in the event I had a failure but they are still in the packaging.

I think the key to keeping it working for long term is to ensure it is tight before welding as the issues I had heard about had to do with heat damaging the handle and base. When I adjust the flexible head I hold the thumbscrew and move the head and then when tightening it up I do the same and hold the thumbscrew with one hand and set the angle just shallow of where I want it and tighten the connection by tightening the head, not the thumbscrew. Hope I explained that well. My thinking is that those who were experiencing issues with heat may not have been getting the connection tight enough by tightening just the thumbscrew.

 

[Steve from Socal]

I do have a speedway torch.



Steve

 

[Graham08]

A small search shows the Speedway torch gets really good reviews. The fact that it's made in USA helps my decision, too.

 

[Bodj Built]

Graham, I had replaced the standard Weldcraft WP-20 on my Miller Dynasty 300 almost immediately after bringing it home back around 2006. I installed a Weldcraft 20 size flex head and used it up until about 3 years ago. It worked well but I was gentle on it when I flexed it and knew it's limitations as far as bending and didn't push it. For the most part it did everything I needed it to but there were a few times when I was building sand drag chassis that it would bend a bit further. About 3 years ago I replaced it with a CK Flex Loc 230 and absolutely LOVE it. Best TIG torch I've used so far and I think their Super-Flex cables are the best in the industry. They are so light and flexible there is no way I would go back to the standard heavy hoses again. I was worried about wear and tear being a pivoting head but so far I have experienced no issues at all. I even bought a couple more of the rotating heads and seals to have them on hand in the event I had a failure but they are still in the packaging.

I think the key to keeping it working for long term is to ensure it is tight before welding as the issues I had heard about had to do with heat damaging the handle and base. When I adjust the flexible head I hold the thumbscrew and move the head and then when tightening it up I do the same and hold the thumbscrew with one hand and set the angle just shallow of where I want it and tighten the connection by tightening the head, not the thumbscrew. Hope I explained that well. My thinking is that those who were experiencing issues with heat may not have been getting the connection tight enough by tightening just the thumbscrew.

How are your hoses holding up at the base where they connect to the machine? I loosely wrap my hose, but it still makes a fairly steep drop right after leaving the machine, almost crimping the hose. I'm afraid my hose is going to break at that joint. I want to stick the line through a spring so it can help support it a bit.

 

[zmotorsports]

How are your hoses holding up at the base where they connect to the machine? I loosely wrap my hose, but it still makes a fairly steep drop right after leaving the machine, almost crimping the hose. I'm afraid my hose is going to break at that joint. I want to stick the line through a spring so it can help support it a bit.

No issues at all. My last set of superflex hoses were on there for about 12 or 13 years and exhibited no adverse conditions. My new Flex-Loc has only been on it about 3 years now and the same. One thing I did with both the old one and the new one however, was where the hoses come off the machine and droop around the front and up towards the hose hanger on the side of my cart, I added a strain relief to the leg of the cart in which to support the hoses so they don't come off the machine and drop all the way to the floor nor make a hard 90-degree around the machine and get tugged on. They maintain a nice gradual radius from the connection point around to the first point of contact with the cart where I added the strain relief secured by zip-ties.

I hope that makes sense, I looked and don't currently have a picture that I can readily locate.

 

[rlitman]

How are your hoses holding up at the base where they connect to the machine? I loosely wrap my hose, but it still makes a fairly steep drop right after leaving the machine, almost crimping the hose. I'm afraid my hose is going to break at that joint. I want to stick the line through a spring so it can help support it a bit.

I bought my CK torch with Superflex hoses in 2013. At the time, I home-made a cooler, so I took off the factory connections and stuck barbed fittings in. A few years later I picked up a Miller cooler and replaced the original fittings. Never had any issues with the hoses, and they still look good. To be fair though, I have a set of hooks overhead that I hang the torch lead in, so there isn't much strain where it leaves the cooler and they don't get stepped on.

Instead of a spring, you could slip on a piece of heat shrink tubing as a strain relief.

 

[dr_clyde]

I have CK, Tec and Weldcraft on all my tig machines. They are all good quality, and if I had to replace them all, it would be either Tec or CK. Weldcraft is fine, I just like Tec and CK more.

 

[Jlarson]

I have a 25' CK super flex torch that's our field water cooled rig that gets pretty beat up, stepped on dragged around in the dirt. I just have the hoses taped together coming out of the hose cover then they hit a Coolmate 4 and whatever machine adapter we're running that day. Spends a lot of time hanging off the Coolmate on the back of the service truck or a cart.

 

[86turbodsl]

I've been using mostly CK. I like their smaller 300A torch series. Runs cool enough and very easy to get into tight spots.

 

[rmack898]

CK crafter series 310 is hard to beat. With a short back end I can get into some really tight places.

 

[zmotorsports]

I had some welding to do Saturday which reminded me to take a picture of how my cables were drooping seeing as how that was asked earlier.

Definitely nothing fancy here, just a couple of zip-ties to act as a strain relief to keep the hoses up and not having the weight hanging down on them to pull at the connection point. This allows larger radius bends that flow better than a hard bend at the connection point.

 

[Graham08]

After doing some more research, I ended up ordering a Tec Speedway 320 package. Thanks everyone for their suggestions! I'll post some photos and a little review when I get it.

 

[king nero]

Is that black/orange cylinder the receiver of a wireless remote (foot pedal) ? Haven't seen those before...

 

[zmotorsports]

Is that black/orange cylinder the receiver of a wireless remote (foot pedal) ? Haven't seen those before...

I'm assuming you are referring to the picture I posted of my Miller Dynasty. Yes, the black/orange dongle is for a remote/wireless foot pedal. I've had it for about 10+ years now and absolutely LOVE not having a wire connecting my foot pedal.

 

[king nero]

Thx for the feedback. I'm mostly using EWM, Fronius and Lorch machines, I'll have to see if that's also available for (one of) those brands. Sure seems interesting. Never had any interference when welding HF AC or HF pulsed (or both) ?

 

[zmotorsports]

Thx for the feedback. I'm mostly using EWM, Fronius and Lorch machines, I'll have to see if that's also available for (one of) those brands. Sure seems interesting. Never had any interference when welding HF AC or HF pulsed (or both) ?

I've never experienced any interference. It works the exact same as it did when it was corded to the machine. I wouldn't say it was a game changer but it sure is nice to have one less cable to have to deal with, especially when crawling around under a vehicle or in a sandrail chassis. I don't build chassis any longer but when I was not having to deal with another cord was sure nice.

 

[corn chip]

ive a ck now but if i get a new one im probly heading over to tectorch and give them a try

 

[Graham08]

First impression of the Tec Speedway torch is that I really like it. I haven't done much welding to speak of, but the flexible hoses and leather cover are a step up from what I had (old vinyl hoses and a nylon cover with several melted spots). The Tec torch also has a second O-ring around the back cap to better seal against leaks of outside air into the argon supply. I ran a few beads just to get my water cooler running and make sure I didn't have any leaks...first impression is good. I hope to get some more time on it soon.

 

[Graham08]

After getting some more time on the new torch, I really like it! It's amazing how much difference the super flexible hoses make, and the leather cable cover is also a step up in flexibility vs. what I had. The other thing I really like is the handle is not round, so the torch stays pointed the right direction without thinking about it, and it's overall less effort to hold and move it. I had no idea what I was missing out on using the standard torch for nearly 20 years.

I think I was fighting a hairline crack somewhere in the argon line on my old torch. The shielding with this one is definitely better.

The only negative is one of the water hose fittings was loose inside the torch, so it turned out I had a small leak. The bad part was it took a few days of sitting open to get the leather cable cover dried out. Tightening the fittings cured the leak, though.

 

[zmotorsports]

Thanks for the response giving your impression Graham. Glad it's working out.

 

[Steve from Socal]

The shape of the handle is the thing I like best about the speedway torch. Sorry to hear about the leak.

Steve