Weldcraft WP-17

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I have one of these air cooled tig torch set ups. I was wondering how hot can it get before it "melts down" so to speak. I was welding on and off for a few hours and I was only using 105 amps but it was getting pretty warm on the handle. This is the torch that came on the machine, a Miller Maxtar 150STH.
Reply:That torch has a 60% duty cycle at 150 amps DC. ( 60% @ 115amps AC)  From experience, as long as you are using light weight tig gloves and can still hold on to the torch, you won't be able to melt it. It's when you wear heavy gloves and can't feel the heat, that I've seen people melt down one of those torches, usually running AC doing 150-200 amps with alum..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 drape the cable of my WP-17 over the back of my neck and when it gets too warm for comfort  I give it a break.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:Agreed with the suggestion to watch the temp of the cable.  If the cable gets too hot, inside of it will melt, which will contaminate your shielding gas and your welds.  The torch handle itself can be perfectly fine to hold on to, even with light duty TIG gloves, when this is happening.  Monitor the temp of the CABLE when welding heavy stuff, and stop welding as soon as it feels WARM.
Reply:water cooled. its what's for dinner.Lincoln Power Mig 210MP MIGLincoln Power Mig 350MP - MIG and Push-PullLincoln TIG 300-300Lincoln Hobby-Weld 110v  Thanks JLAMESCK TIG TORCH, gas diffuser, pyrex cupThermal Dynamics Cutmaster 101My brain
Reply:I have to use this machine at work. My boss bought the smallest tig welder he could find.
Reply:Originally Posted by jakeruAgreed with the suggestion to watch the temp of the cable.  If the cable gets too hot, inside of it will melt, which will contaminate your shielding gas and your welds.  The torch handle itself can be perfectly fine to hold on to, even with light duty TIG gloves, when this is happening.  Monitor the temp of the CABLE when welding heavy stuff, and stop welding as soon as it feels WARM.
Reply:My 175 lincoln has a 17 as well. I only run into problems mostly with aluminum. I believe mostly because I mock up and tack an entire part together and then weld nonstop till its all welded. Only time I stop is when I can't hold the torch anymore from heat with my tig gloves. And I mean can't, I will work back till I am just barely holdin on to the end of the handle. When that gets to hot to hold I'll set it down for awhile.I have had the head of my torch very softened up a couple times but is still fine.I would like to get a water cooled torch some day.
Reply:I hate wp-17s. Convince your boss you need a water cooled wp-20f torch. You can make a cooler setup really cheap. absolutely worth every penny. The torch will never get warm and the flexibility of the lightweight leads is a dream to work with.http://weldingweb.com/vbb/showthread.php?t=58517Last edited by MikeGyver; 08-25-2012 at 05:42 PM.Welding/Fab Pics: www.UtahWeld.com
Reply:I would, but I don't like talking to him.
Reply:Originally Posted by BrianstickDoes the whole length of cable get warm or just the part up near the torch?
Reply:The water runs to the torch through a water hose and returns through the power lead. If you're running really hot you'll feel the torch lead get as hot as the water is that's returning through it. I've never really noticed my torch lead get warm and I've only had the torch body warm up a bit a couple times.Welding/Fab Pics: www.UtahWeld.com
Reply:I may be wrong but I believe the cable heating question was regarding the air cooled WP-17.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:If you exceed the duty cycle on the WP-17, the entire length of the cable will heat up, including the portion coming right out of the machine, opposite of the torch end.  The heat is from electrical resistance of the cable.I just looked up the specs on your Miller machine and given it's 30% duty cycle @ 150 Amps DC rating (no AC), you will probably never run into an issue overheating the WP-17, even if you tried.  The WP-17 is actually overrated for that machine, which gives you a nice little safety factor.http://www.millerwelds.com/products/...p?model=M00143Last edited by jakeru; 08-26-2012 at 12:28 PM.
Reply:PHP Code:Iwould,butIdon'tliketalkingtohim.Leave him a note with the melted torch and unfinished work._________________________________________________Ford MillerLincolnPow-ConSmithMillwaukeeHougenJacksonwww.provisero.com