tig torch !!!!

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i bought a tig torch at harbor freight yesterday for 19.99 it was 44.99 i thought that it would be ok quality. well what can i say it's hf ...lol... well i saw a number on it and it read WP-17V. i said to my self that number i have seen before. i ran it and it comes up to WELDING CRAFT. so i wounder if it is manufactured buy them? any ideas the hf number is 66921..
Reply:it is probably an equivalent part number. or so i would expect.Dynasty 200DXPassport plus w/ spoolmate 100victor 315c oxy/(act and prop)Miller digital elitemilwaukee power tools
Reply:that is what im wondering cause i checked other company and the letters in the beginning are different and these are in the casting . i wounder if it is like some of the welding rods ive seen in that show "how thing are made" there was an episode that they said that they make the rods and then they put the co. name and number of the company that orders from them.Lincoln Power Arc 4000 Thermal Arc Fabricator 252 iThermal arc 186Thermal Arc 26 tigTweeko 200 amp spool gunHobart AirForce 400WP-17V-12R
Reply:Welding craft is not the same as weldcraft.  You got what you paid for.wp-17 is the torch style so you know what parts to buy.  Lots of different mfg's make TIG parts, as long as the part is for the same model torch they all interchange.  wp-17 is not a brand name.Have we all gone mad?
Reply:aww sorry typo "weldcraft" only have slept 2 hr. in 3 days lol to much work not enough time. ok so wp-17v-r is a series for part interchange thanks good to know.Lincoln Power Arc 4000 Thermal Arc Fabricator 252 iThermal arc 186Thermal Arc 26 tigTweeko 200 amp spool gunHobart AirForce 400WP-17V-12R
Reply:If you bought it from Harbor Freight, it's a pretty good bet it's not a Weldcraft Torch.As has been mentioned, the 17 signifies the size of the torch.  The V indicates that the torch has a gas valve (used when the welder does not have a gas solonoid).The 17 series torches are air cooled.The 18 series torches are water cooled.  Both use the same size consumables (collet, lens, cups)What I suspect you have in your hands is a cheap Chinese copy of a patented Weldcraft torch.  Not the same quality by a long shot.Syncro 250 DX Dynasty 200 DXMM 251 w/30A SG XMT 304 w/714 Feeder & Optima PulserHH187Dialarc 250 AC/DCHypertherm PM 1250Smith, Harris, Victor O/ASmith and Thermco Gas MixersAccess to a full fab shop with CNC Plasma, Water Jet, etc.
Reply:After typing that number into the HF website, nothing found. 66921 - I would like to see it."Where's Stick man????????" - 7A749"SHHHHHH!! I sent him over to snag that MIC-4 while tbone wasn't looking!" - duaneb55"I have bought a few of Tbone's things unlike Stick-Man who helps himself" - TozziWelding"Stick-man"
Reply:[IMG][/IMG][IMG][/IMG]Lincoln Power Arc 4000 Thermal Arc Fabricator 252 iThermal arc 186Thermal Arc 26 tigTweeko 200 amp spool gunHobart AirForce 400WP-17V-12R
Reply:HiHF may have dropped the torch but it looks like you got a torch with the control know for amps built in to it (replaces the foot control).Have funTom
Reply:Originally Posted by acourtjesterHiHF may have dropped the torch but it looks like you got a torch with the control know for amps built in to it (replaces the foot control).Have fun  Tom
Reply:Thanks for the PM. I guess they discontinued separate tig torches. Be sure to let us know how it works."Where's Stick man????????" - 7A749"SHHHHHH!! I sent him over to snag that MIC-4 while tbone wasn't looking!" - duaneb55"I have bought a few of Tbone's things unlike Stick-Man who helps himself" - TozziWelding"Stick-man"
Reply:WP17 is indeed a Weldcraft torch..Probably a factory "Second"...Probably nothing wrong with it either so keep us up on progress.....zap!I am not completely insane..Some parts are missing Professional Driver on a closed course....Do not attempt.Just because I'm a  dumbass don't mean that you can be too.So DON'T try any of this **** l do at home.
Reply:Originally Posted by zapsterWP17 is indeed a Weldcraft torch..Probably a factory "Second"...Probably nothing wrong with it either so keep us up on progress.....zap!
Reply:I have a Weldcraft brand WP-17. If you wish, I can send you pictures of mine. I suspect that's a "WP-17 style" torch. It likely uses all the parts for a WP-17, but I'm 99% sure that is not an actual Weldcraft brand torch, just a WP-17 sized torch. I paid about $135 for my weldcraft with a 25 foot hose. It was about $87 with the 12 foot hose (no gas valve on mine). For that price, you own it, give it a try.KevinHobart Handler 210Tweco Fabricator 181iLincoln Squarewave Tig 175
Reply:If it's a clone they aren't any different, all just plumbing with a rubber cover. The knob is the gas valve. The $20 price was a screaming deal. Generic torch/cable assemblies with no accessories are at least twice that.
Reply:Weldcraft sources much of their product in china.  I am not saying that they don't make any stuff in the US, but the last cups I bought from weldcraft were made in China, so were the tungstens.  There are some Chinese torch manufacturers whose quality is very high, as good as weldcraft or better..depending upon what you want to spend.  The WP 17/26/18/9/20 numbers are universal "descriptions" of the torch. They are not necessarily Weldcraft. However, if you do have that number, it should match any equivalent weldcraft torch. Your collets may actually have a metric equivalent number on them, but they are standard sizes.  Just match up your tungsten to fit the collet..shouldn't be a problem...It looks as if the torch you bought is of decent make and quality.  There really isn't that much to a torch, some brass, some orings etc.   The handle and the valve on the torch are the real wear pieces...If the handle does not stay on the rubberized head, it might be a problem.  And, if the valve doesn't open or close smoothly, it could leak or be imprecise.  But generally if these are fine, they will last as long as anything else.Your torch's consumables should interchange with wp 26/18 consumables.Esab Migmaster 250Lincoln SA 200Lincoln Ranger 8Smith Oxy Fuel setupEverlast PowerPlasma 80Everlast Power iMIG 160Everlast Power iMIG 205 Everlast Power iMIG 140EEverlast PowerARC 300Everlast PowerARC 140STEverlast PowerTIG 255EXT
Reply:ty guy's ill let you know on how it preforms appreciate all the info that was provided.oh yeah let me add that im running this on an ac dc stick welder with no hf or pulse controls. if there's any suggestions for me let me have them.Lincoln Power Arc 4000 Thermal Arc Fabricator 252 iThermal arc 186Thermal Arc 26 tigTweeko 200 amp spool gunHobart AirForce 400WP-17V-12R