recommendation for water cooled TIG torch brand

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I would like to buy a water cooled TIG torch, after coming close to burning myself several times on my aircooled weldcraft torch.I see cheap watercooled torch "Weld Craft" style sold on ebay (SR20-12) and some other places (like IOC weldtec WT20).  Any opinions on these, or is it (in my own experience) you get what you pay for, and a $60 torch won't perform like a $180 torch?Then I see a companu like Arc-Zone, that sells Weldcraft torches with a different hose... "featherlite" braided hoses that they say are superior to the weldcraft brand.  Anybody have one of these and want to venture an opionion of whether it is worth the extra money ($56) or not?-----------------Tim in CTMiller Dynasty 200DX TIG with WP17 air cooled torchThermal Dynamics Cutmaster 38 plasma cutterGrizzly G9742 4x6 Swivel-head BandsawQuincy 141c30vc5 5HP 30 gal stationary compressorVarious IR angle and die grindersLast edited by tmarks11; 08-12-2007 at 07:46 PM.
Reply:I bought the IOC one.  It has a vane pump.  The torches I THINK are all about the same.  Flex head would be nice, mine came with a good torch.  I can't believe how small it is.  I have better control.  Really glad I bought it, I have found work for it.DavidReal world weldin.  When I grow up I want to be a tig weldor.
Reply:What is a vane pump?  Does the IOC weldtec version not have a flexhead? The air-cooled weldcraft WP17 that I have does, and occasionally it is useful.Tim
Reply:we use a watercraft (wp-20 I think?) with the blue braided line, its really light and never gets hot, even with lots of 225-250 AL weldingHave we all gone mad?
Reply:Originally Posted by tmarks11What is a vane pump?  Does the IOC weldtec version not have a flexhead? The air-cooled weldcraft WP17 that I have does, and occasionally it is useful.
Reply:I've been using Weldcraft Wp-20 torches for over 20 years, and have had no problems with them! If you want a bigger torch, get a WP-18. Any watercooled torch is better than an air cooled any day! And yes, you must use a gear pump for a cooler. The vanes will flatten out giving you no pressure with the small hose diameter. ------------john
Reply:I use a Weldcraft WP 18 for just about everything.
Reply:Originally Posted by tmarks11....I see cheap watercooled torch "Weld Craft" style sold on ebay (SR20-12) and some other places (like IOC weldtec WT20).  Any opinions on these, or is it (in my own experience) you get what you pay for, and a $60 torch won't perform like a $180 torch?Then I see a companu like Arc-Zone, that sells Weldcraft torches with a different hose... "featherlite" braided hoses that they say are superior to the weldcraft brand.  Anybody have one of these and want to venture an opionion of whether it is worth the extra money ($56) or not?
Reply:Weldcraft all the way, although I do have a Weldtec as back-up if I should mess up my good one...lolI prefer the WP20 for it's versatility and size, I have .020 to 1/8 inch consumables with this torch. From the basement to 250amps safely. If you would have need for more than 250amps then the WP18 will take you to 350amps with .020 to 5/32 consumables. the WP18 is a little larger but still a fine torch.I would also recommend a leather cover, keeps the nasty crap on the shop floor from wearing on the leads.Anything worth doing is worth doing RIGHT