What kind of TIG torch is this?

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I think it's a gas lens, but are TIG torches usually this big? The cup has a 12 on it, I attached some pictures. I am pretty new to TIG, I just don't know what I have and what it's for... I got it at a flea market for $40 (as I can recall). Thanks in advance!Tweco Fabricator 181i"Always remember to be unique. Just like everyone else."
Reply:Looks like a type 26 air cooled  flex head torch with gas valve rated at 200 amps. I believe it's a Binzel torch.http://www.binzel-abicor.com/US/eng/...-26fv-26v.html.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:Ok, so it is a flex head torch but it is says Profax on it, so I don't think it is a Binzel. Thanks for your help!Tweco Fabricator 181i"Always remember to be unique. Just like everyone else."
Reply:Hello NotTheBest, essentially TIG torches are similar to Mig guns, there are a few different styles built by a number of different manufacturers. Although yours is a profax it is of the WeldCraft type. Additionally, it is currently set-up with a gas lens. Gas lenses are awesome for many types of welding because they generally even out the gas flow and stabilize the gas coverage better than a standard diffuser assembly. When you are ordering parts to allow this torch to be used with different sizes of tungstens or different diameters of cups they will likely be referred to as a Weldcraft typeXXX or something of that nature, and by the way, you got a very good deal on that set-up. Good luck and best regards, Allanaevald
Reply:What part of Houston are you in?GravelThe difference between theory and practice is that in theory there is no difference.
Reply:Is that a scratch start rig? we use the same torch on our old miller at work, is big but a work horseMillermatic 211Miller Syncrowave 350lx with cooler and tigrunner Thermal Dynamics cutmaster 811955 National Cylinder Gas O/A setup with original patina
Reply:I doesn't look like a flex head but it does appear to have been flexed slightly, they were probably running AC at higher amps looking at the size of that tungsten.
Reply:In the very first photo the side of the torch reads "26FV" which means it is a 26 series, flex head with a valve.
Reply:Looks like a TIG torch with an old gas lens and it is setup to weld stainless.
Reply:That's the lens I use when I'm running a 17 torch. It's a jumbo gas lens and a #12 (3/4" opening) cup. That exact setup in a new state from the lws would be roughly $40-50
Reply:looks like acouple photos of a sweet and petite gas lens i got from radweldingsupplies.comCompared to my old #12 lensLast edited by Jimmy_pop; 07-31-2014 at 08:08 PM.
Reply:Yes, which was my next question. What I did was hook this up to my Fabricator 181i which is a multiprocess. The torch I got has a gas hose connector and a 'lug', not the connector that just plugs in to my machine. So what I did is hook up the electrode holder to the lug and screwed that into the machine, then plug the gas regulator directly into the TIG lead, and just bypassed the machine. My question is, since I did that, do I still use the scratch start option on my welder, or do I use the stick option? It is hooked up DCEN. I know now that it is a 26FV flex head torch, made from a company called ProFax.Tweco Fabricator 181i"Always remember to be unique. Just like everyone else."
Reply:Originally Posted by ironmangqI doesn't look like a flex head but it does appear to have been flexed slightly, they were probably running AC at higher amps looking at the size of that tungsten.
Reply:The 181i can do lift start, why scratch?SqWave 200Millermatic 190Airco 200 ACHypertherm PM45Boice-Crane Band SawVictor O/A
Reply:Pretty standard rig in the pipe welding world.
Reply:Originally Posted by BrazinThe 181i can do lift start, why scratch?
Reply:With lift-arc the machine is supplying only a few Open Circuit Volts (less than 10V) to the tungsten at idle and senses when you touch the tip to the work material for a second or two and doesn't "stick" the electrode to the material.  Once the tungsten is lifted the machine applies the preset amperage and arc voltage and you're off.Scratch start has full machine OCV to the torch at idle and is ready to apply full preset amperage as soon as the tungsten is scratched across the material.  Scratch start runs the risk of sticking the tungsten to the material and can cause contamination of the base material and/or tungsten.MM200 w/Spoolmatic 1Syncrowave 180SDBobcat 225G Plus - LP/NGMUTT Suitcase WirefeederWC-1S/Spoolmatic 1HF-251D-1PakMaster 100XL '68 Red Face Code #6633 projectStar Jet 21-110Save Second Base!
Reply:Thanks Duane,I don't mind lift-start, but haven't done scratch. Like Timmy said it's a common way to weld pipe, but if given the choice it makes sense to do it the easy way.Your tungsten will last longer, guaranteed.SqWave 200Millermatic 190Airco 200 ACHypertherm PM45Boice-Crane Band SawVictor O/A
Reply:Where no HF arc start is involved and given the choice, I'd pick lift-arc over scratch for the obvious benefits but with a straight up bare bones CC machine scratch is about it.MM200 w/Spoolmatic 1Syncrowave 180SDBobcat 225G Plus - LP/NGMUTT Suitcase WirefeederWC-1S/Spoolmatic 1HF-251D-1PakMaster 100XL '68 Red Face Code #6633 projectStar Jet 21-110Save Second Base!