Lorch torch

[Drains]

One for Archie, and his complaints about over priced Lorch flexi-necks

Arch, you could do it all for far less than 80 notes. You need a standard gas/current lead, with the Lorch gas bayonet fitted at the machine end (which you'd have to get done), and a standard flexi head. You can fit all that into the Lorch/Binzel head that you already have. Keep the switch and switch wire as is, but fit them down the sheath (or get a zip sheath - nice and easy)

I just got a replacement flexi head - the first one didn't last long - 15 quid.

BTW, I'm told the flexi heads are rated for 100 flexes before splitting. Not many then!

Si

 

[Archie]

I had replied to the last post but by the time I'd done so you'd performed a manouver!!!

I remember you saying you'd had to hack yours around a bit. I've got the flexi neck (from Steve before I realised it wouldn't fit) but where would I get the lead from? I didn't know they came on their own.

Pity I didn't know about the hundred flexes. Mines kicking around in the car and I keep fiddling with it... Ooops!

 

[Welderpaul]

100 flexes sounds low. You could get through that many in a day.

 

[Drains]

Well steve would make one up for you i'm sure. Wouldn't be much more than 20 quid? If you buy a zip-up cover too, that'll make it easy to fit the switch wire (and not have to de-solder the switch and feed the wire through). Then you just have to do a bit of chop socky on the rubber bits on the flexi head to make it fit the torch body

A bit of fannying around, but worth it. Re the flex head - I think the idea is to put it into you personal "ideal" position, and leave it there. I'd rather see it as a consumable, for use in really uncomfortable positional work ( I bought a spare too). And flex gently. I don't know what counts as a flex - full crank from one extreme to the other, or a gentle push by 5 degrees?

Paul. I'm sure I did a few hundred before it split. I'm just going by what the dealer told me. Ass covering I expect. Still, only had the machine 6 weeks or so before it broke. The flex head isn't covered on the warranty, but they gave me one replacement for free, and I bought another.

 

[Archie]

There's a cynical side to me (quite a big side I confess) that says that limiting the number of flexes is an excellent way to make people buy more of 'em!

 

[Rick]

100 flexes sounds low. You could get through that many in a day.

I can't see it been that low either. I must have done more than 10 per day every day for about 3-4 months now. I never take the flexy head off as i use it all the time.

 

[runnach]

I'd certainly dispute 100 figure, I've used flexi many times and, lets say extreme cranking on a daily basis always had decent longevity from new to breaking point.

 

[matt1978]

I think it depends on the quality of copper used in the head...........

Just some clarification tho..........its not a Lorch torch, it is a Binzel torch. Its not made by us nor is it made by Binzel uniquely for us......none of the parts used are specific to our machines either....its a standard WP 26 type torch.

I am very surprised that Binzel in the UK can't supply a Flexi head at a reasonable price to fit that torch. I priced it up for Archie, but that was based on Lorch Germany buying it from Bzl Germany, and supplying it to the UK, so I wasn't overly surprised to find that the price was out....but like I said, that neck can easily be sourced in the UK from Bzl.

 

[Archie]

All true Matt though I was told by Weldequip that Binzel UK hadn't even heard of the part which is why he ordered the part from Germany. No idea whether or not this is correct. I am simply going on what Steve said and I have no reason to doubt him or you.

 

[matt1978]

Nah, certainly no reason for doubt

I think that the reason why the non genuine one didnt fit was because, it was a non-genuine replacement for a Weldcraft neck. Although the Bzl do a WP 26 type neck and torch, its still Bzl and not Weldcraft.

Maybe Bzl made the thread a larger size, because they deem that it lasts longer/better current transfer and cynics may also think that this helps to garantee them the spare part/replacement business.............

This is the Bzl torch......that you have.

http://www.binzel-abicor.com/content.asp?mnu=152&mnr=1&lng=2

On that page you can download a .pdf of the spare parts for that torch, I am sure if you email Bzl the part number for the flexi neck they can give you a price.

 

[Archie]

I agree with you on the Weldcraft thing and I'm definitely in the cynic's camp! I'm pretty sure that's the pdf that Steve and I looked at but maybe it's worth another go. Cheers Matt.