Should I get a 12 or 25 foot tig torch?

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Buying my first tig welder (HTP 221). I am thinking about going with a 25' torch because my 10 foot mig torch is just a little too short some times. Any pros and cons for each? Would also get the longer foot and ground. Thanks.Mike
Reply:Depends.If you're going to be doing mainly table top welding with the unit right next to the welding table, 12' would likely be enough.However, if it's not always convenient to get the machine close to the work, then by all means go with 25'.Personally, the latter was my case and when my 12 footer fried the cable/hose connection at the plug adapter (didn't know it had loosened up) I replaced it with a 25' along with the work lead.  Foot control was already a 25' so I was already planning to change the leads.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:25davidReal world weldin.  When I grow up I want to be a tig weldor.
Reply:Longer is better as you can always neatly roll it up.  When they eventually die they make very nice stick welding stinger leads.
Reply:Thanks, I went with the 25'er.  I also bought the 25' ground lead
Reply:farmall,That went right over my head.How do tig torch leads make good stick welding leads?The amount of copper in my 300+ A tig torch power lead, wouldn't carry 100A if it wasn't being cooled with liquid coolant.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:My foot pedal control cable is 25'.I went with a 25' torch cable to match, and have been happy with that decision.
Reply:I have a 12'. It's only been an inconvenience once, but that's one time too many. I'm also interested about the stinger lead comment.IW Local 580 NY, NY
Reply:Put up pics when you get it. I have the same one on law a way.
Reply:The amount of copper in my 300+ A tig torch power lead, wouldn't carry 100A if it wasn't being cooled with liquid coolant.
Reply:Originally Posted by SundownIIIfarmall,How do tig torch leads make good stick welding leads?
Reply:Farmall,Had an opportunity last year to check out the conductor lead on 320A Speedway torch.  Helper was good enough to park the cart on the power supply/water feed cable.That copper conductor was dang small.  About 10ga as best I could tell.  I wouldn't use that for a stinger lead on a 90A Harbor Fright buzzbox.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:I thought it odd until I saw it work. The highly experienced pipewelder head instructor had me make them, and they didn't melt or cook once. They get as hot running stick as they do when used for their original purpose, which being gas-cooled TIG is fairly warm. The copper cable on the Radnors we used is considerably larger than ten guage. I don't have any of the Radnors (they belonged to the school) handy to measure and I left the end fittings on my personal Union Carbide power cable, but I'd guess the Radnor copper diameter to be around 3/16". They are rather loosely wound for flexibility.I've read mention that TIG can draw more than stick (in discussions of "how much breaker to use" with old transformer machines) but haven't tested that proposition with my clip-on ammeter. Cheap to try. Just wait for a leaky rubber gas-cooled TIG lead and give it a shot before snatching the copper for scrap. Can't hurt the stinger or the Dinse/Tweco/whatever power connector.Since cable connectors aren't designed for small wire, either snip off the flare and slide off the coupling nut then clamp to the copper "pipe", or cut off the fitting, fold over the wire a couple of times, then cram into the copper foil doohickey that usually comes with new connectors and squash the lot together with the allen bolt.Helper was good enough to park the cart on the power supply/water feed cable.
Reply:Heat is caused by Amps.  Since both TIG and Stick are a constant current process, Amps are Amps.  Now you can argue that at the extreme end of things power supplies might trim off some amps when the volts go up, but for our discussion, Amps are Amps.As for the limit of cables.  Most cables will melt the shielding before you burn through the wire.  That's the danger.  Now if your repeatedly heat the cable to glowing red, you will eventually oxides the copper and you might just make it brittle and break it that way.BTW, stick welder tend to draw more power at the same Amps because the gap voltage tends to be higher.  In TIG mode, you are typically using 15 V at, say 150 Amps.  In stick mode, it can be 30V at 150 Amps.  Also, stick mode, when you have it set for AC, you can find that you really get a voltage surge when you break the arc.  That only affects input power, not germane to the discussion here.But seriously,  don't most welders have like Twelco (or whatever they are called) connectors?  A simple twist and you can install another cable.  Spend the bucks.As for 12 vs. 25.  If you have a non-portable welder - like a Syncrowave, 25 is a must.  Roll it up to a car and you want to be able to reach the other side (without having the cables go under the car).  On a welder like the 200 Amp (ish) portable TIG/Stick machines, 15 is enough.  Just be aware you are going to be moving that welder around.  I recommend a minimalistic cart to carry 1 small gas bottle + welder + cables.Con Fuse!Miller Dynasty 350Millermatic 350P-Spoolmatic 30AMiller Multimatic 200Hypertherm PowerMax 1000G3Miller Maxstar 200DX
Reply:Now if your repeatedly heat the cable to glowing red, you will eventually oxides the copper and you might just make it brittle and break it that way.
Reply:Thanks again guys for taking the time to post your comments. I was going to hold off on the water cooler since I set a certain amount of hobby money aside but my wife just shrugged and said get what you want. I got the water cooled 25' 20 series torch, 25' ground, and foot control. I will pick up the electrode on the next order since stick welding isnt on the high priority list. Thought it would be nice to have in case I have to go portable and fix something. Is it ok to leave some of the torch rolled up? Not sure if it will mess with the HF or not.Rockchopper, I will do a review once I get it. Never did a video review before but might this time since there really isnt much out there. I like to give back once in a while since many people that take the time to review stuff really has helped me out. The one I am getting wont be instock until 2nd or 3rd week of Jan so it will be a little bit. Pretty Excited. Been saving for 3 years for a Tig Welder. Its going to be an experience to learn.
Reply:Originally Posted by mikeb9550Thanks again guys for taking the time to post your comments. I was going to hold off on the water cooler since I set a certain amount of hobby money aside but my wife just shrugged and said get what you want. I got the water cooled 25' 20 series torch, 25' ground, and foot control. I will pick up the electrode on the next order since stick welding isnt on the high priority list. Thought it would be nice to have in case I have to go portable and fix something. Is it ok to leave some of the torch rolled up? Not sure if it will mess with the HF or not.Rockchopper, I will do a review once I get it. Never did a video review before but might this time since there really isnt much out there. I like to give back once in a while since many people that take the time to review stuff really has helped me out. The one I am getting wont be instock until 2nd or 3rd week of Jan so it will be a little bit. Pretty Excited. Been saving for 3 years for a Tig Welder. Its going to be an experience to learn.