Tig torch & one piece verses two piece cable?

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I have been welding  mild steel, stainless and aluminum with one torch. A model 17 with 1/8 tungsten. The question I have is should I get a higher amp torch for the aluminum? When I’m welding stainless or mild steel I am around 30 to130 amps. When I weld alum. I normally have to turn the machine up to around 130 to sometimes 250 to 275 amps, I know the model 17 torch is rated for 150 amps so am I overworking the torch or power cable and is a two piece cable better than the one piece in higher amp settings?
Reply:well the 2 cable are the water cooled torches and would certainly work cooler at the higher temps
Reply:Originally Posted by Ron Padillawell the 2 cable are the water cooled torches and would certainly work cooler at the higher temps
Reply:The model 26 air cooled torch at work was a 2 piece lead, I never did care for it as it always seemed to be snagged on something. Just replaced it with a 25' one piece lead, it is so stiff it wears you out trying to hold the torch straight. I think we will go back to the 2 piece and buy the cover for it. As far as amperage rating, both are rated the same. You will need to go with either a bigger air cooled or switch to a water cooled to gain more amperage capability. In my experience, you can exceed the current rating on rare occasion, but it will end up cooking the torch head in the long run. I came in one Monday and our weekend welder had been welding at 300 amps with the 26(a 200 amp torch) and had melted the lead out of the torch, as well as melting the rubber body by the cup and cap.  Now that I am done rambling, if a lot of high current aluminum welding is in your future, I would be looking into a water cooled torch for the long term fix.
Reply:If you are running a 17 series torch at 250-275 amps I can almost bet you will melt it at some point. You defiantly will want to look at a torch with a higher rating. Personally if I was running that hot, I'd want a water cooled unit. I'd look at 2 options myself... The 20 series torches rated at 200 amps, 100% duty cycle, like the CK units, or the 18 series ones. Personally I prefer the 20 because it's lighter weight and more maneuverable than say the 17 or the 18 series torches. The down side is that it uses different parts. The 18 uses the same parts and consumables as the 17, and is rated at higher amps than the 20's, but it's a bulkier torch.....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
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