Torch choice

[Boldor]

Hi everyone, I have purchased a NewArc Viper 2500S Tig welding Control Unit, and would like your advice on a suitable torch for this unit, not done much tig for a while, but needs must, many thanks in advance.

Boldor

 

[hotrodder]

What power source are you using with the HF add on box? Do you want a torch that'll handle the max output of the powersource or are you only gonna be using it for lightish sections like thinwall stainless etc? Assuming air/gas cooled a wp9 size is nice and small but typically rated for a max of 125A DCEN, next size up is a 17 which is a fair bit bigger and good for 150A and the biggest gas cooled is a 26 (200A)

Torches are typically sold with 3/8"BSP connections, 'mono torches' are fairly common which have just the one hose so you'd use a gas through dinse connector to hook it up which look this

Various different brands at different prices with choices of rigid or flex neck, the later allow you change the angle of the torch head which can be handy but the more you flex it the quicker it'll fatigue and break. A relatively new take on flex necks which fixes the fatigue issue is a rotating head that can also be interchanged, CK flex-loc and TEC i-head for example. They cost a chunk more though and it's not like replacement flex heads are spendy. Personally the bit that matters to me is that the hoses are nice and flexible and the torch is as small as practical

 

[Beady]

hotrodder, I too am in the market for a WP9 sized torch - which brands would you recommend? Thank you!

 

[hotrodder]

You won't go wrong with any of the big brands IMO. Personally i dislike 'ergonomic' handles and the thing that makes the biggest difference is flexibility of the hoses. CK Worldwide are about the only company that make a deal of their superflex hoses but they aren't unique as silicon rubber hoses have been around for ages. Their threaded connections on all hoses are a very nice touch compared to the more common wire ties for water in and gas hoses but that obviously only applies to water cooled kit. Nice torches and i've got first hand experience of how great their customer service is (CK themselves and Rapidwelding who are the UK agents) but then that's what you'd expect as they're one of the spendier choices...
The torch i use most is the one that was supplied with my Lincoln v205t which doesn't have hoses quite as flexible as the fabric overbraided silicon rubber type but are a lot tougher. If i killed it tomorrow i'd replace it with a CK20

 

[Beady]

hotrodder that's a great, detailed, and informative, response - I will take your advice - thanks a lot, much appreciated!

Cheers!

 

[Boldor]

Thanks for your reply Hotrodder, Going to power off my faithfull OXFORD RT110B, and uses will be stainless, aluminium, and maybe mild steel, making some short leads up, off the RT110B, with dins connection, and in the process of making a frame to sit 18"above the RT110B to sit the control unit.

 

[Richard.]

I always think it is worth going down the water cooled channel. I'm with hotrodder on this one with the fact I hate big tig torches but with gas/air cooling your not going to see the benifits of your machine unless your holding a massive torch. Buying a cooler can be expensive but making one is cheap (£50 last one I made) very simple and good fun . A WP9/WP20 can then be used with the full out put of your machine. I have a esab txh250w on my magicwave fuzzy and it's lovely and small never gets hot.

 

[hotrodder]

Cheers guys. Boldor, an Oxford rt110b is an AC only 'buzz box' isn't it? The Viper 2500s is described as DC only i.e. it doesn't contain a rectifier for DC output and doesn't do continuous HF that's needed* for AC TIG, just HF start

* unless the AC is generated by witchcraft from an inverter that switches quickly enough to stop the arc going out as it crosses 0V