Craftsman tig torch?

admin

Anyone familiar with a Craftsman water cooled tig torch?  Is it made for Sears?  I got one along with a Lincoln water cooling unit, and I'm wondering if the torch takes industry standard collets and cups and backcaps.  Is there any way to know the amp rating of this torch?  If its water cooled is it good for at least 200 amps?  It looks like a nice torch with silicone on the torch head and a nice flexible, protected cable.  I'd like to use it, if its still serviceable, as in expendible parts available that fit it.  There shouldn't be any reason why a water cooled torch can't be used with HF is there?  I'd like to use it to weld aluminum.
Reply:all craftsmans welders are whay over pricedyou can get sa the hb air force 400 $1300.00plus shiping and tax unless there is not a sear in your state or go to cyberweld and get a 625x for $163.00more
Reply:My torch says HW-17 on the handle, so I can use the #17 series parts. I think the most common water cooled torch is a #20. Look on the torch for its number. I don't know what the torch is rated for, mine is 150 amps (aircooled), so 200 amps easy on a water cooler.Yes, you can use hi-freq with a water cooled torch. I do it every night in class.9-11-2001......We Will Never ForgetRetired desk jockey. Hobby weldor with a little training. Craftsman O/A---Flat, Vert, Ovhd, Horz. Miller Syncrowave 250
Reply:What is the torch rated for?Well the WP20 is rated for 150amps WITH a 3/32 tungsten.Remember when the setting on the machine is 150 you may not have the foot pedal al the way down all the time.With different collets and tungstens the rating would be different but the max for the torch stays the same.You do not want to melt a torch, or you could be killed.The brazed connections could all come undone inside the torch. It only takes ONE amp to kill you.AWS certified welding inspectorAWS certified welder
Reply:I think I got good news.  The torch is a Weldcraft Crafter 310.  Looks like parts are readily available and its rated for 310 amps.  I shouldn't have any problem getting the collets, backcap and cups for it.
Reply:Tim:Thanks for the follow-up. 9-11-2001......We Will Never ForgetRetired desk jockey. Hobby weldor with a little training. Craftsman O/A---Flat, Vert, Ovhd, Horz. Miller Syncrowave 250
Reply:Even better, I just discovered parts from my existing air cooled torch fits, same backcap and cups.  Not sure if the collet body and collets are the same.  I plan to switch to 3/32 anyhow.  Better than I expected.  I think I'll like this torch a lot more.  My cheapy air cooled torch has a vinyl hose.  Brutal in our climate, I'm always fighting with it pulling on the torch.  That's not good for the technique or concentration.  This torch has nice rubber lines shielded by a zippered black (nylon?) sheath.  I'd say I got a steal, the torch, hose and Lincoln cooler for $75.00.  Makes up for the Syncrowave that took me 3 months to fix.