tig torch question

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Decided that a flex head for my torch is something that would help my welding. If buying for yourself what  are the things you would look for or feel would be a reason to buy torch manufacture A or B.This is the torch I am considering, I have the same without the flex head now.WP-17F Weldcraft 17F Torch Body, Air Cooled 150Ato view: http://www.buyweld.com/wp-17f.htmlAnother question are the  Gas Saver™ Pyrex Nozzle worth taking a look at, how well does the Pyrex nozzle stay clear?To view: http://www.arc-zone.com/index.php?ma...oducts_id=4670Thanks in advance,Greg
Reply:Does the pyrex cup stay clear? Nope.Good torch though. Personally I like the CK version.Weld like a "WELDOR", not a wel-"DERR" MillerDynasty700DX,Dynasty350DX4ea,Dynasty200DX,Li  ncolnSW200-2ea.,MillerMatic350P,MillerMatic200w/spoolgun,MKCobraMig260,Lincoln SP-170T,PlasmaCam/Hypertherm1250,HFProTig2ea,MigMax1ea.
Reply:Originally Posted by pepiDecided that a flex head for my torch is something that would help my welding. If buying for yourself what  are the things you would look for or feel would be a reason to buy torch manufacture A or B.
Reply:That Pyrex cup is a bit of a scam.  It seems like it would help, but think about where you look whie tigging.  There's no time when you look at the area inside the cup, at least not for me.TA Arcmaster 300CM3XMT 304S22P12 suitcase feederX-Treme 12VSOptima pulserTA161SMaxstar 150STLHypertherm PM45OP setupStihl 020AVP, 039, 066 Magnum
Reply:Originally Posted by Drf255That Pyrex cup is a bit of a scam.  It seems like it would help, but think about where you look whie tigging.  There's no time when you look at the area inside the cup, at least not for me.
Reply:Thanks for the answers, as to the Pyrex cup I was pretty sure it was borderline BS just tossed it out.  The flex head I would be using to adjust the way I hold the torch, once setup probable would not be readjusting frequently. How does the torch affect duty cycle? Would you mind giving a quick general description for a basic understanding?Always good informed answers here thank you,GregMagazines have issues, everything else has problems
Reply:If you pull up the specs on a Weldcraft 17 series torch and a similar CK torch, you will find the Weldcraft is rated at 150 amps 60% duty cycle in DC. In AC the torch has a much lower amp and duty cycle rating. The CK unit has a duty cycle rating of 100% in both AC and DC at 150 amps. It has to do with how the torch is made. I know some one here in the past did a post that talked about the differences, but I can't locate it right now. If you question is more basic, each torch has a duty cycle and amp rating. Exceed the rating and chances are you will melt the torch. It's not all that hard to do with an air cooled torch if you are using heavy gloves and can't feel how hot the torch is getting. Trying to run say 250 amps thru a series 17 torch is a recipe for disaster even if the machine is capable of a duty cycle of say 300amps @ 60%.  The torch itself can't take those kinds of amps. There are any number of different sized torches, each with their own duty cycle and amp ratings. A 9 series torch is small and compact, but has a much lower duty cycle than a 17 series air cooled torch. The 9 also uses different parts than the 17 does. The 9 uses the same parts as a 20 series water cooled torch. The 20 has a higher rating than the 17 does, but it's duty cycle and amp rating are smaller than the 18 series water cooled torches that share parts with the 17 series air cooled units. Same thing, the 20 is a small compact torch, and the 18 is a big clunky unit in comparison.If you want to get something "useful" I'd recommend getting a standard gas lens to fit what ever torch you end up getting. The gas lens is somewhat similar to those pyrex units, but you can't see thru the cup itself. A gas lens will allow you to do a couple of things. #1 it will allow you better gas flow, so you can run slightly lower settings on your gas flow and save gas while still getting good coverage. You can run say 12 CFH vs 15-18 CFH. OR it will allow you to extend the tungsten farther out with the original flow rates. This allows you to get the tungsten down into hard to reach locations like tight corners and so on. I've also found it helps newer students see the tungsten better because they can stick it out from the cup a bit more and not have the cup block their view of the puddle and tungsten as much. I swap back and forth between the gas lens a standard cup and collet rig depending on what I am doing..No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth! Ronald Reagan
Reply:Arc-Zone's Jim Watson wrote an article awhile back about the differences between TIG torches--it's all about the materials used and the manufacturing process: http://www.arc-zone.com/blog/joeweld...he-difference/Both Weldcraft and CK are excellent manufacturers and we carry both.-----------------------Carmen Electrodewww.CarmenElectrode.comand the boss blogs at  www.JoeWelder.comall powered by  www.Arc-Zone.com
Reply:Can you tell me the difference between CK20 and CK200 ? Tech data and dimensions seems to be the same.P.S. sorry for hijackingLorch Saprom S3, Lorch V24, Hypertherm 65