Well crap. Broke my flex head TIG torch.

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I was hoping these things lasted a little more than a year or so.Was building a aluminum fuel cell for a ATV today (just dont ask...) and went to flex the head back to get into the baffle a little better. And felt a "pop" in the head. Water instantly starts running out of the cup. Luckily I had the original weldcraft torch and swapped that back on. Here is the one I broke. Only I seem to remember it being ALOT more when I bought it from mabscott http://www.amazon.com/TIG-Torch-Body.../dp/B007KBDEQESo the question is. Is there a better flex head out there? Or maybe a simple way to rig a standard torch AND a flex head to the machine (miller syncrowave 250) so I aint bending the flex head as much?If you cant fix it with a hammer, it must be an electrical problem."Boy, everyone starts with a full bag of luck and an empty bag of experience. The trick is to fill the bag of experience before the bag of luck is empty."-Grandad circa 1990ish
Reply:Do you need a water cooled torch full time? The Syncrowave 250's at the tech school are all set up with dinse connectors so the students cab switch back and forth between stick and tig. One nice thing is if one of the water cooled tig torches goes down, I can "steal" an air cooled rig off one of the XMT's and just plug it in and they can go to town, unless they are doing alum and really need the water cooled torch.I can't see why this idea wouldn't work for you. Maybe set the cooler connections up with QD fittings and use a dinse on the machine to swap between torches..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:What about the CK Flexlock? http://www.ckworldwide.com/flex-loc.htmAirco Ac/Dc 300 HeliwelderMillerMatic 200 (stolen)Miller Maxstar 150STLMiller AEAD200LE (welding and generating power) Hobart MIG
Reply:Originally Posted by SquirmyPugWhat about the CK Flexlock? http://www.ckworldwide.com/flex-loc.htm
Reply:Originally Posted by 7A749This is exactly why I won't buy a flex head or swivel style torch.I just know that it will break at the worst possible time & leave me screwed.I have this coming for the 350http://www.arc-zone.com/index.php?ma...oducts_id=9053
Reply:Flex for me for sure! Welding city sells two wp-26f torches for $20, free shipping.The spare is in my box Heck, I know they split open, so I ordered two.Dave J.Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance. ~George Bernard Shaw~ Syncro 350Invertec v250-sThermal Arc 161 and 300MM210DialarcTried being normal once, didn't take....I think it was a Tuesday.
Reply:https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/i..._j1tuB4sNLa-BAthis is what I use, not sure if they have a water-cooled model but it has been on my truck for longer than I have been in the truckbosses stuff:trailblazer 325maxstar 200my stuff:sa 200fronius transpocket 180100 amp Lincoln w/f97 f350 DITKevin
Reply:that ck flex-loc is very good and gets even better when a stubby kit gets added.You can choose between a 2 series head and a 3 series head.Last edited by golfingweldor; 12-19-2013 at 11:59 PM.
Reply:Damn thats a inexpensive torche. I wish mig guns were that cheap. Even a oem gun is well over $100. At that price id order like 10 and not worry about it. If the original lasted over a year than by time you broke all of them you probably be in the market for a new tig machine anyways.HH140---------------------------https://www.facebook.com/brandon.pike.9
Reply:Absolutely need a water cooled torch. My normal aluminum welding is on anything from 16ga up to (pushing it) 1/4"  I loved the flex head for the fact I could bend it straight back and get deep inside some of the stuff I do. Almost like a pencil torch. That CK torch is interesting. I would like to hold one and fiddle around with it before I bought one tho.  The series 2 should accept all of my wp20 collets and caps right?  Maybe when (if) we get more funding I can order a complete extra set of hoses and torch head and set it up so I can quickly swap out when I need to. The machine is already set up for the quick connects to switch to stick welding. I am thinking just a Y connector on the water lines and a 2 way valve on the gas line should do the trick. Shoot, I could even use the spare torch to back purge if I ever need to do stainless. If you cant fix it with a hammer, it must be an electrical problem."Boy, everyone starts with a full bag of luck and an empty bag of experience. The trick is to fill the bag of experience before the bag of luck is empty."-Grandad circa 1990ish
Reply:Yes CK's series 2 uses the same parts a 20 series torch does..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:I have a flex loc with the 2 series head. You can use all of the wp20 parts on it. I haven't had any issues with it but I see the o-rings on the head failing before anything else. It was a bit odd at first but the more I got used to it the better it got. Of course I also think it's a bit of a crutch. I had to use a rigid wp20 for a quick fix a couple of months ago and it took me a good 10 minutes to sort out positioning.EditI should also point out that this torch won't adjust nearly as fast as a flexLast edited by Snuffy; 12-20-2013 at 05:31 AM.NickESAB CaddyTig 2200iPowermax 45MM140 (Sold)
Reply:Originally Posted by kintzshianyeI just know that it will break at the worst possible time
Reply:I broke one yesterday as well. Just wanted to do a quick little project and as usual for a twenty second job, kapoof! I love the flex heads, but thats probably the fifth one that broke on me. The flex head does come in handy, but what i like about them the most is they are the only aircooled torches that i know of where the handle screws on and stays tight. Its a royal pain when your walking the cup and your torch warms up and the handle starts turning on you. Oh well back to free hand for a while.I hate being bi-polar it's awsomeMy Heroes Have Always Been Cowboys
Reply:Originally Posted by SquirmyPugUsually at that point I grab the cup to bend it and burn my hand
Reply:Originally Posted by MinnesotaDaveFlex for me for sure! Welding city sells two wp-26f torches for $20, free shipping.The spare is in my box Heck, I know they split open, so I ordered two.
Reply:Originally Posted by injunctivereliefso, chinese consumables will work for you or do you believe that you got two (f) torches that were mfg'd in the united states.weldingcity's entire inventory is primarily chinese knockoffs of other co's parts.
Reply:I have always been wary of the"flex" anything tig torches or mig guns They all have sounded like a great thing but have all failed with time and useSent from my SPH-D700 using Tapatalk 2Backed my CATMA over your CARMA oops clusmy me  What would SATAN do ?? Miller Trailblazer 302 AirPakMiller Digital Elite  Optrel Welding HatArcair K4000Suitcase 12RC / 12 VSHypertherm PM-45Rage 3 sawRusty old Truck
Reply:Originally Posted by killdozerd11I have always been wary of the"flex" anything tig torches or mig guns They all have sounded like a great thing but have all failed with time and use
Reply:Originally Posted by CEPWhat little Tig work I do, in the past I've run out of hands. And put the hot end of the filler rod in my mouth.