Suitable Torch?

[Wyn F]

Hi, I have a Lorch T220 ac/dc tig welder and would like to try fit/use a lighter torch or more importantly its torch connecting cables if that makes sense ?
atm it has a air cooled 26? torch which I am learning with but find the connecting cables a pain
I'm sure that's how it is but being partly disabled holding the torch and cable weight isn't that easy for me,
So can someone recommend a lightweight torch and cable assem to fit straight on a Lorch T220 machine?
Only used for home/diy use so doesn't need to be for commercial use.
Torch would maybe only require an on or off control at most ?
Cheers for any help or pointers
Wyn

 

[Wallace]

My Tig came with a WP26 torch which feels a bit cumbersome on small intricate jobs so I use a WP9 up to around 120A and the WP26 above 120A. I have a WP20 which is the same size and water cooled that will cope up to about 230A but have not made the cooler yet.

 

[Wyn F]

My Tig came with a WP26 torch which feels a bit cumbersome on small intricate jobs so I use a WP9 up to around 120A and the WP26 above 120A. I have a WP20 which is the same size and water cooled that will cope up to about 230A but have not made the cooler yet.

I did have a quick look at a water cooler but the new price put me off
That's before adding a torch of any sort on top ?

 

[Wyn F]

To those that might know ...
Have since been looking at gas cooled ck torch and super flex lead, but not switched if poss as using a pedal
Is it possible to use that type, as when I disconnect my 5 pin switch plug? I get an error message
Am unsure can I use a unswitched torch on a T220 and how ?
Torch below is what I have atm
Or have I got it all wrong

 

[wyn]

I hang my torch and cables from the roof of the shed so it gets rid of a lot of the weight.

 

[Wyn F]

Skyhooks maybe, as am using mine in the open in the back garden atm.

 

[Hudmut]

I run the sam machine but i have a cooler to and use a WP20 with out the cooler most of the time. You have 2 ways round your fault code the first one is to turn of the cooler in the setting's of the machine because in the plug there is a jumper linking 2 wires that make it think its got a cool pluged in to it all the time so when you run the machine with out this jumper it thinks your about to cook your water cooled tourch and shuts down and gives you a code. Or you pop your plug open and do the same to your new tourch with a jumper wire and your good to go.

I have 4 Lorch torchs the 2 that are air cooled have this wire and work as if the cooler was there saves mucking about with set setting every time you change and the cooler does not switch.

If you need pin numbes let me know and ill pop a plug open for you and get them.

 

[Wyn F]

Many thanks. Mine is a std gas cooled torch so you are saying I could just buy a spare 5 pin torch plug and just bridge two of the plug terminals to use an unswitched torch without error?

btw, I did look on the Lorch site today at the T220 they list now. It does say in the blurb ...
"ITC-Inside makes it possible to use standard torches as well as Lorch’s fully digital TIG torch technology including Powermaster remote control"
Not sure if they means unswitched as I couldn't see anything about that option in the user manual ?

 

[matt1978]

You can use any make of torch you like, when you solder the 5 pin amphonal plug, you need to do pins 1 + 2 for the trigger and put a bridge across pins 4 + 5. Then you won't get the E5 code

 

[Wyn F]

If you need pin numbes let me know and ill pop a plug open for you and get them.

You can use any make of torch you like, when you solder the 5 pin amphonal plug, you need to do pins 1 + 2 for the trigger and put a bridge across pins 4 + 5. Then you won't get the E5 code

Many thanks, any chance of a pic of the plug pin configuration/numbers to know which terminals to bridge ?

 

[matt1978]

The pins are numbered on the amphonal. Just take a look at the face which is recessed and you'll see a number next to each pin

 

[Wyn F]

The pins are numbered on the amphonal. Just take a look at the face which is recessed and you'll see a number next to each pin

That's great, will take a look tomo, cheers

 

[Hudmut]

Happy to help I have Lorch’s fully digital torch its very nice and has lots of cool buttons but as I have my set right next to me on its cart I never really use it what they mean by digital is you can change amps setting and programs right from the torch and so on but in short yup its switched.

If your using your pedal you don't really have to do any thing just leave your other torch plugged in as the plugs are not cheap on there own.

 

[Wyn F]

Happy to help I have Lorch’s fully digital torch its very nice and has lots of cool buttons but as I have my set right next to me on its cart I never really use it what they mean by digital is you can change amps setting and programs right from the torch and so on but in short yup its switched.

If your using your pedal you don't really have to do any thing just leave your other torch plugged in as the plugs are not cheap on there own.

Am still in the learning process so the buttons on mine are more a pain now I've got used to the pedal
As it is I keep accidently zapping the torch every now n then when positioning or picking it up
Like you i'm only sat 2ft from the machine so no great use for them

Still, have just ordered a ck torch, plug n dinse gas plug so hope I got the options right

Soon see

 

[Hudmut]

Iv got to admit its taken some time to get my head round the settings to but ill say nothing more on that matter but ill help with what i can there.

That lot will work a treat but did you order collets and stuff to as the WP26 stuff will not fit your new set up ?

 

[Wyn F]

I went for a ck17 with flex head n super flex lead. I hope I've ordered the right thing !
Am using it at way under 100a ATM so no need for a larger torch
I took it all my Wp26 torch consumables would still fit the new ck17 torch?

 

[Hudmut]

Mmm i would of gone for a WP20 as that puts you at the 120amp limit and half the size over WP26 consumables this would of been a better bet for doing small work along with it being a lot better fit in your hand as there is quite a size difference.



You didn’t really have to have a hole new torch you could of just got a new torch head and removed the WP26 and but the WP17 in its place you have not really made much difference in torch size here if that was what you was looking for.

 

[Wyn F]

Is the wp20 not water cooled? I don't have a cooler yet for mine.
One of the main reasons I wanted to try a new torch was the weight of the cables, as they are doing my head in. I hope this super flex cable will be much easier to get on with and the smaller ? Torch easier to manipulate?
If it fits and works out alright I plan to get one with a swivel head next, but go for a higher rating to be able to use with alloy

 

[Hudmut]

Opps sorry my bad was rushing at work didn't want to get found out for missing using the workshop pc WP9 is the small 125 Amp torch and my WP20 is my water cooled 250 amp torch my WP26 have never been out its box because like you the leads drive me mad then so does the cooler.

 

[Wyn F]

No worries, will see what happens when these bits turn up n go from there