TIG torch cable mystery

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Hi to everyone,I've just purchased a WSME-200 AC/DC TIG/stick welder, and I'm a bit puzzled about the TIG torch cable. I was under the impression that the tungsten electrode has a heavy-duty cable running through the sleeve, along with the gas hose and switch wire.However, this unit has only the gas hose and a small cable with a 6-pin plug in the sleeve, with no heavy-duty cable.I thought this must be a mistake, and wrote to the supplier: but I have since found identical torch cables (with only the gas hose and small wire, no HD cable) for sale on the net, claiming to be suitable for this type of welder.Can anyone shed some light on this? do I have the right cable? This is the torch and cable that came with the welder:Cheers,  Jim
Reply:Hey, I tried to post a photo, but it didn't work! There is an identical cable to the one that came with my machine here:http://www.aliexpress.com/product-fm...olesalers.htmlCheers,  Jim.
Reply:just plug it in, the hose is also the conductor.--------------------------------------------------------------www.becmotors.nlyup, I quit welding.. joined welder anonymous
Reply:Ah! you mean the hose has a metal braiding or suchlike to conduct the current? I'll be so happy if I don't have to send it back! Jim
Reply:Yes, the gas hose is also the conductor.  Try checking it with a continuity tester between the torch head and the end of the hose.  The meter should read about the same as if you just touched the probes together.This is for an air cooled torch.  With a water cooled torch, the water returns along the power lead, and the gas hose is separate."Great spirits have always encountered violent oppostion from mediocre minds."  --  Albert Einstein
Reply:I was wondering this also. My Arcair K3000 torch is rated @600A. Feeling the cable, I STILL wonder how that can be."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:Originally Posted by Stick-manI was wondering this also. My Arcair K3000 torch is rated @600A. Feeling the cable, I STILL wonder how that can be.
Reply:Magic!
Reply:Oh boy here we go again.....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:Funny that that part is also listed on the same page (other items you may be interested in) as a rice noodle making machine.Not sure I wouldn't rather have the rice noodle making machine than that welder.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:An "air " cooled gun is cooled by the shielding gases passing along the hose cooling the cable carrying current and cooling the TIG torch.  The amount of cooling is limited.  For short duty cycles and lower amperages this arrangement is just fine.
Reply:Originally Posted by SundownIIIFunny that that part is also listed on the same page (other items you may be interested in) as a rice noodle making machine.Not sure I wouldn't rather have the rice noodle making machine than that welder.
Reply:Originally Posted by jocksterDo you mean it is not a good welder, or do you enjoy making rice noodles?
Reply:Originally Posted by SundownIIIFunny that that part is also listed on the same page (other items you may be interested in) as a rice noodle making machine.Not sure I wouldn't rather have the rice noodle making machine than that welder.
Reply:Originally Posted by jocksterAh! the penny drops. Now that I see you have access to a lot of very expensive equipment, so you make fun of my welder. I'm sure you could teach me a thing or two about welding, but we all have to start somewhere.... or does it make you feel good to heap s#*t on someone who's just getting started?
Reply:Yea its better to stay away from the chinese crap I've found without going the hard way of doing so.  Save your money and get miller/lincoln/esab that's used.  Allot of stuff coming out of china right now is worse than junk and I'm seeing more and more supposedly good deals on new items that show up bricked as in a new shell but the internals either have something marginal or there is one or more actual bricks in it or worse there's trash.http://izismile.com/2011/04/08/phony...na_3_pics.html
Reply:Originally Posted by jocksterAh! the penny drops. Now that I see you have access to a lot of very expensive equipment, so you make fun of my welder. I'm sure you could teach me a thing or two about welding, but we all have to start somewhere.... or does it make you feel good to heap s#*t on someone who's just getting started?
Reply:Originally Posted by DSWActually he was being nice to you. He made an small joke about what other stuff shows up with that. He didn't bash you at all ( and trust me he can )The truth is the factory probably turned out the noodle maker on the same assembly line. Not exactly a confidence builder if you want something that costs that much to last. As far as "very expensive" equipment, his list really isn't. I'd say it's expensive, but a top of the line Syncrowave 350 ( or 700) and XMT 350 would probably eat up a good bit of what his stuff costs total. My F350 is "expensive" compared to something like a Ranger, but it's no where near close to what a "very expensive" truck like a Mack or Kennworth will set you back. There's a reason guys who know what they are doing seldom go with "cheap" machines, and it's not because they just want to waste money. Usually they find these machines cost LESS over time, weld hour to weld hour over the imports, and hold their value when they go to upgrade. You seldom find quality craftsmen with cr@ppy tools.
Reply:I think you gotta start where you can and make your own decisions as to what you want to buy and try out. There is nothing wrong with buying an inexpensive unit as long as you understand that you cant expect it to perform the same as a top of the line unit or last as long. Im not saying that they cant do it its just that they almost never do. For a beginner they will more than likely work just fine and then when you skill level develops you may decide to upgrade to a better unit and pass the one you have along to another person who is new to welding. I did a similar thing when I started I bought cheaper used equipment and have been upgrading to better units as my skill level has improved. I sold my old ones to people who could use them more than I could and couldnt afford expensive machines.
Reply:Now a lot of guys will probably try to burn you just for the fact that is a chinese made welder and not American made or Brand Name. They will have you believe that you are encouraging oversees manufacturing and crappy quality control. In my mind everyone has their price point and the imports do a fairly good job of meeting the average hobbyists demands. Overall though the average hobbyist buying an imported unit is not going to cause a demand problem for a major manufacturer as they will almost certainly keep the production welders and industrial manufacturers business do to their quality and customer service.
Reply:Originally Posted by ironmangqNow a lot of guys will probably try to burn you just for the fact that is a chinese made welder and not American made or Brand Name. They will have you believe that you are encouraging oversees manufacturing and crappy quality control. In my mind everyone has their price point and the imports do a fairly good job of meeting the average hobbyists demands. Overall though the average hobbyist buying an imported unit is not going to cause a demand problem for a major manufacturer as they will almost certainly keep the production welders and industrial manufacturers business do to their quality and customer service.