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Hi everyone,I just bought several Columbia TIG torches at an auction.I am trying to figure out what I've got, and so far haven't had much success with usual Googling. I think this company went out of business or changed names before the Internet took hold.The label readsTHE GEM FOR WELDINGCOLUMBIA TORCHESU.S. Pat. 3,250,889 TYPE 4AV-7CAN. Pat. 746,605AMERICAN ELECTRIC & MACHINE CO., INC.UPPER SADDLE RIVER, N.J.Searching for the patent does indeed produce a bit of information, the patent is for a water-cooled TIG torch, even though this 4AV-7 is an air cooled torch. Further investigation produced the street address of American Electric & Machine Co., but Google Street View shows a vacant building (and a fishing fly shop).Tig nozzle is stamped 133-A3. It threads onto the head. The electrode holder is a collet.The valve is a ball valve, with two off positions and one on.Power and gas go through a single fitting:Tomorrow I'll try to measure the threads on the nozzle and electrode holder to see if they're compatible with anything else. I don't have a second TIG torch to compare to (except more Columbia ones).If anyone knows more about this manufacturer, please let me know!Thanks,-MalcolmLast edited by altersaddle; 12-01-2014 at 01:54 AM.Reason: grammar
Reply:I dug through the rest of the torches. Each one comes with a little manila goodie bag with a second nozzle, long back cap, and other collets for different sized electrode.Also a business reply card.One of the torches is straight.By my untrained eye the nozzle thread is 1/2-20, but I'll confirm that once I can find my thread gauge.There's also a single water-cooled torch, rated for 350 amps so I'm guessing a competitor to the WP18 style. However, the hot water return line doesn't return, just ends with some mysterious plumbing. Not sure if this rig is complete.Once I get more of the things sorted out I'll post in the buy/sell/trade to try to trade for the bits I would need to run the air-cooled torch on my Tweco (foot pedal, Dinse 25 adapter, etc). There's a lot of vintage supplies in this lot, likely useful for someone who would need it. |
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