Welding Tips and Tricks

Just a general question as I'm always amazed with how people use their tools.

For my personal situation and to be specific, I'm looking into expanding my capabilities. I want to purchase what it takes to tig underneath and in vehicles with a syncrowave 250 dx. From reading the manual, it appears that there is programming for a finger switch? I currently have a CK 20 series rigid water cooled torch and it does everything perfect so far. This is just bench practice and repairs that are easy to get to.

My two most used torches for position work are a 17 flex and a 9.

I have a size 9 flex head torch on a flex cable that is mostly set up with a Furick 14 cup on a gas lens, running a 2.4mm electrode.The torch has a paddle switch. I use this rig mostly for thin mild steel - the Furick cup gives me the ability to use more stick out but is also just great for visibility.

The torch I most commonly use is a size 17 flex head with a stubby gas lens (2.4mm) on a flex cable. I guess my most common size cup on this one would be a 6. The torch is also fairly nimble and I use it on aluminium as well as some steel work.

Neither torch is a name brand item - both are Chinesium. Cost is about $10 for the bare torches from memory.

My only other torch is a big size 26 on heavy cables and I never use it anymore. Too big, too heavy and cumbersome. I am waiting for a day when I am particularly angry and then I will probably just throw it at someone.


Moz

At work I use a watercooled CK Flexloc and it is incredible. I wore out a couple standard flex torches trying to get down in intakes etc. But the flexloc is great. 230 amp watercooled max (ive pushed beyond for a minute or so no problems) and you can also get an aircooled version that maxes out around 150 i believe.

MosquitoMoto wrote:I have a size 9 flex head torch on a flex cable that is mostly set up with a Furick 14 cup on a gas lens, running a 2.4mm electrode.The torch has a paddle switch. I use this rig mostly for thin mild steel - the Furick cup gives me the ability to use more stick out but is also just great for visibility.

I forgot about the clear lenses. Being that some of the work will involve stainless and mild, I should probably add a couple of sizes to the budget.

weldit321@gmail.com wrote:At work I use a watercooled CK Flexloc and it is incredible. I wore out a couple standard flex torches trying to get down in intakes etc. But the flexloc is great. 230 amp watercooled max (ive pushed beyond for a minute or so no problems) and you can also get an aircooled version that maxes out around 150 i believe.

I noticed these when I was looking for my first torch. Sounds like you have a good job if they purchased that for you. The WC version seems to be the ultimate answer as I would like to have one set of consumables and lenses.

I'm predicting that I will max out at 135A which seems to be just past what an affordable "9" flex torch can do? I was advised to stay away from the flex heads as my only torch for the reasons mentioned.

What is everyone finding good for hand/finger controls? It seems that nobody likes any of them from what I'm reading.

CK Trim line 300, CK 230 Flex, and weldtec 20 series.. I use the 230 the most..