Xmas present to myself, new CK torch

[superclarkey]

I bought myself all the series 2 CK standard gas lens and stubby Series 4 (for series 3) and the Flexloc torch, which I'm wondering why I didn't buy these bits sooner! (Oh i remember because they are expensive)

I enjoy using this gear, its the very best I've ever had, just shocks me how much it all costs when you add it all up, specially the consumables.

Anyways as I spent the day organising everything I thought I would take a few images to share

I was wondering if anyone else was sad as me and organised everything

 

[WorkshopChris]

Are the leather covers CK? i need a few and cant decide what to go for.

 

[superclarkey]

Are the leather covers CK? i need a few and cant decide what to go for.

They are just generic leather covers from RapidWelding, I didn't know you could buy ck ones and i wouldn't have bothered as these are great and cheap.

I only bought a genuine Hypertherm leather cable cover (£100) because the plasma torch replacment is £500 so thought it was worth having the right one for the job..

The superflex cables are not silly expensive so some cheap leather covers will do, they are fairly light weight too so I would say just grab one for the cost of it. Only thing I will say is that it is slightly shorter than the superflex lead, maybe 3/4 of a meter but if i was to damage the cable it be on the floor not at the machine!

 

[superclarkey]

P.s all the covers are the same above, just one is new, and the other two are different degrees of firth lol

 

[Brad93]

Well you've spent some money there. Why so many consumables? I keep only a few bits in my box that I need. Saying that I use a size 7 or 8 gas lens cup or a size 5 standard cup.

 

[arther dailey]

my brother is that....organised, and I would like to be !

 

[superclarkey]

in the stubby only have one of each lens and a few collets of each, so not gone mental lol the stock series 3 stuff was from my old company where i had bought boxes of everything, hehe.

I need to buy the fupa cup thing like you have but dont know who sels them in uk?

 

[Brad93]

in the stubby only have one of each lens and a few collets of each, so not gone mental lol the stock series 3 stuff was from my old company where i had bought boxes of everything, hehe.

I need to buy the fupa cup thing like you have but dont know who sels them in uk?

West Country welding supplies are the sole importer of the genuine one (the only ones worth having)

 

[Brad93]

Ive got the FUPA 12 and the BBW

 

[superclarkey]

Thanks guys just cost me more moneys lol

I have never bought a fupa cup or bbw because i mainly do rollcages and i wouldnt get them in, but would be great to have. Prefer them to large ck gas lens.

 

[Brad93]

No use on mild steel to be honest mate, a few guys use them on chrome moly for the look.
I use them for stainless but more so for titanium.

 

[RichardM]

I'm not as organised as you! I keep them all in a sealing sandwich box and use data tape cases to segregate.

I now I have torch and consumables envy!

 

[Richard.]

You have spent some brass.
But yeah why so many torches all the same baring 1.

 

[Richard.]

They are just generic leather covers from RapidWelding, I didn't know you could buy ck ones and i wouldn't have bothered as these are great and cheap.

I only bought a genuine Hypertherm leather cable cover (£100) because the plasma torch replacment is £500 so thought it was worth having the right one for the job..

The superflex cables are not silly expensive so some cheap leather covers will do, they are fairly light weight too so I would say just grab one for the cost of it. Only thing I will say is that it is slightly shorter than the superflex lead, maybe 3/4 of a meter but if i was to damage the cable it be on the floor not at the machine!

Those leather covers are about as good as it gets.
They are less than £30 each yet I think they are nicer than the speedway covers more supple a bit like dear skin.
Ck covers are black. I've never used one but they are crazy expensive.

 

[Richard.]

Thanks guys just cost me more moneys lol

I have never bought a fupa cup or bbw because i mainly do rollcages and i wouldnt get them in, but would be great to have. Prefer them to large ck gas lens.

The thing is don't be sucked into the American welding way regarding such things.
Unless your welding exotics where heat tint and surface oxides cause embrittlement these big clear cups are throwing your money away.
You generally need slightly higher flow rates for them to be effective and for your steel and stainless Alu there is no need to be doing that. A no 7 cup on a standard gas lens covers just about everything for me.
I probably get asked to do a quick Ti job once or twice a year which would usually involve nothing more than a small stitch repair there for I haven't done any as its not worth keeping filler, big lenses and trailing shields etc for something that infrequent.
A lot of Americans love em. They insist that all stainlesses are welded with huge cups, massive flow rates, and usually with a 1 inch weave. I've never welded stainless with anything bigger than a no8 and more often it's a no 7. I've had no complaints with them either.

 

[Brad93]

I love doing the titanium jobs and if you charge the right money for it one job easily pays for the cups and filler.
I do work for an exhaust company though so I probably get more than the average place.

 

[slim_boy_fat]

I do work for an exhaust company though so I probably get more than the average place.

Akrapovic? If so, lucky man.

 

[Brad93]

Akrapovic? If so, lucky man.

No a two stroke exhaust company, we get a lot of titanium repairs in. Have done akrapovic in the past no problems.

Find us on Facebook, Gibson exhausts.

 

[langy]

It's far cheaper to buy CK stuff from America !!!
I use the covers from Shop river on ebay, cheap and do an excellent job I've found , certainly as good as CK

 

[Richard.]

Akrapovic? If so, lucky man.

Owned a couple. The Ti Akra evo Systems are just sexy. Last one I had was coupled up to a GP2 from Austin racing.
Anyhooo back on topic.