School me on tig torches

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I've done a lot of tig work as a job but it has come time for me to get a setup at home I'm looking for an air cooled torch at a reasonable price under 300$ to run on my xmt  doing steel and stainless . Be nice to run up to 150amps and don't want to have to search for my consumablesWhat you guys using and what do you recommend.
Reply:I'd look at the CK torches. They have a 100% duty cycle vs say the 60% the Weldcraft torches have.For 150 amps you would have 2 choices on average. The 17 series torches ( CK 150) that CH rates at 100 % at 150 amps, or a 9 series torch (ck 130) where CK rates them at 100% at 130 amps which would be close to what a weld craft series 17 torch would be. Both torches come as ridgid, flex head, or flex loc style torches and you'd want one with a gas valve for an XMT if you don't have an XMT 350 with the solenoid option.The 17 size is pretty standard and easy to get parts for. However it's a bit big and bulky for some. The 9 series is the same as the 20 series water cooled torches as far as parts, so parts are fairly common and the torch is significantly smaller than a 17 style torch.http://www.arc-zone.com/index.php?ma...ath=13_728_907If it was me, I'd go for a CK 130 9 series style torch unless you really must have that extra duty cycle. However if you run at 150 amps the torch will still get pretty hot to handle even with the bigger torch. If that is the case I'd opt for water cooled if you are doing that much nonstop tig at 150 amps. I'd rather have the smaller lighter torch than the small amount of extra duty cycle. I'll eventually probably get a CK 130 for my Maxstar 200. Right now though I can do what I need with the Weldcraft 17 series torch I have that is the same as those we use on the XMT 304's at the tech school..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 thought it was called "trimline"?  Either way, their 26 slim/trim style is almost as small as a standard 17 torch if you're staying air cooled. Of course water-cooled is the ultimate way to go if you're staying under 250A.  Last edited by Oscar; 05-05-2014 at 11:13 AM. 1st on WeldingWeb to have a scrolling sig! HTP Invertig 400HTP Invertig 221HTP ProPulse 300HTP ProPulse 200 x2HTP ProPulse 220MTSHTP Inverarc 200TLP HTP Microcut 875SC
Reply:for what its worth I have a cheapie wp-17 knock off from Amazon that cost like $60, and it is fully compatible with CK and weldcraft parts. I am just learning how to TIG weld, but I haven't been able to break it yet. I have a CK stubby gas lens kit on it that I got for another ~$60 from USAweld.com.Miller Multimatic 255
Reply:Nice very good info so far for me I looked at the ck 130 an 150 they look decent. No water cooled yet I don't have the ac power source for Alu which I think would be the only time I'd really need it wish I did though.