Air or Water cooled Tig Torch?

Originally posted by pontiac
Rocky D.

Why the switch to the collet body for Au?

I'll be sure to pick up a cover too

thanks!

First off, Scott "Au" is the chemical symbol for gold, #79 on the Periodic Table...Al is aluminum. Welding gold would be just like welding lead....there is only 1 electron difference in the molecule. Properties are the same, except for the color. Lead welding is qite a trip...ya gotta be fast and careful. How'd i get off on that?

I think one of the reasons would be the size...it's smaller, but like I said before I also use the gas screen lens, too, and get good results. I don't do aluminum every day like some folks do, so maybe they can chime in here and add some intelligence to what I be tryin ta say.

[Franz]

Geez Rocky, ya could at least invite a fella to be introduced to your single malt, and not singlejack.
I'll certainly share my Skotch with ya when you get here with the rivets & stickum.

Originally posted by Franz
"I also suggest getting a light leather cover for the cables. The one I have is white lambskin..."
Oh really Rocky, white lambskin you say.
Sort of explains some of the things I've heard about CaliFOOEY.

Oh Yeah? maybe you think I should have pretty pink ribbons on it, too, huh? Now, yer gettin just plain hurtful, fella! C'mon over here and let me introduce ya to my singlejack.

Here's a picture of the cover. It could just as well be rat skin, for all I know.

Incidently, that holster on the chair has saved me from gettiin jabbed in the leg. Man, that smarts! Takes weeks to heal, too.

Originally posted by pontiac
Rocky D.

Why the switch to the collet body for Au?

I'll be sure to pick up a cover too

thanks!

The pro's here prefer to use the solid collet body for aluminum. I have one, and use it for big jobs, but for a small job, I don't take the time to change it. I seems to weld better for them...don't really know the scientifics of it.

[Franz]

"I also suggest getting a light leather cover for the cables. The one I have is white lambskin..."
Oh really Rocky, white lambskin you say.
Sort of explains some of the things I've heard about CaliFOOEY.

[pontiac]

Rocky D.

Why the switch to the collet body for Au?

I'll be sure to pick up a cover too

thanks!

Scott, I use the WP-20 also. with the large gas lens, even on the small stuff...use the collet body for aluminum, and reduce the gas flow. I also suggest getting a light leather cover for the cables. The one I have is white lambskin....it's doesn't inhibit the torch movement at all. The heavier Tillman orange ones do...or maybe it's brown.

[chip hayden]

i'd suggest using a gas lens also. i believe you get a little better[gas] shielding effect and you save on gas consumption. the only downside is if you keep sticking the !@#$% filler on the electrode it eventually clogs the screens. of course, I'VE never done that.

[bjdenommee]

Yea I would go weldcraft, as parts are always around, and you can buy all sorts of nozzles for them.

If you want a lens they make one for theres as well

Bernie

[Dan]

Originally posted by pontiac
Right now I'm looking at getting a Weldcraft WP-20 250amp water coold torch.

The next odd question is Gas lens or nozzle..

I vote gas lens. I TIG quite a bit of stainless steel, and can tell you that the gas lens definately produces a better gas shield.

Actually, collets, collet bodies, and the cups aren t that expensive so, I would stock both types. My reasoning for this is because a standard #4 cup will allow you into a tight angled joint were as a gas lens is to large and won t allow you access.

[Scott V]

Ck worldwide are good torches,and Weldcraft is what I use,also very good.The sleeper in the bunch is the new Binzel torches.They cost about half of a Weldcraft,and are very very nice.I also think some of there new mig guns are pretty slick.

[pontiac]

Right now I'm looking at getting a Weldcraft WP-20 250amp water coold torch.

The next odd question is Gas lens or nozzle..

Where i am, there's WeldCraft....their air cooled are so "good", That I had to make a tap and die set for when they strip out. The water cooled seem to be better.

[dseman]

Bill,
I don't own a CK torch right now, but plan to buy in the future. Many opinions I respect point to their torches as being the best overall quality and components. They have very flexible torch leads, and their own versions (trimline and CK brands) are usually smaller,ligher, and as you see, better cooling. If you call their phone number they have very knowledgeable and helpful people. Kinda like the Miller/Hobart people of the torch industry!

Others will now chime in and tell how their torch is better, but I remain convinced about the CK torches.

-dseman

[BillC]

Originally posted by dseman
Bill,
Take a look at :

http://www.ckworldwide.com/Exclusive_ck_linde_torches.htm#Water

and note the cross-section of the coolant
path. It is quite small and explains why the wrong mixture or combination of water and antifreeze can cause a problem.

-dseman

Yeah, I'd say that's a small section. I like the new design with the larger coolant passages. Is CK considered a good torch manufacturer? It seems like a pretty common torch.