USA tig torch for beginer?

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Has anyone used the SR series tig torches from weldingdirect.com?They say they are made in the USA and have silicone rubber bodies.I'm looking at the SR17FV-25-2 for $75 http://weldingdirect.com/srtigto150am.htmlI will be using this to teach myself tig. My setup will be scratch start tig off my century 230/140 ac/dc arc welder.Thanks
Reply:If that's a Nu-Tec torch, they are not a USA-only company.  They do outsource.
Reply:Yes it looks like it's NuTec.The weldingdirect web page says "All of the TIG Torches we offer are made in the USA"
Reply:used the sr range had no problems, with tig torch especially flex neck it's how you use them and look after them.
Reply:my wp9v style from nutec had some issuesthe valve wasn't machined right so when it was turned on, the slightest pressure on the knob would cause the gas to cut out. I 'fixed' that by placing a properly sized spring inside which allowed the gas flow to remain constant when bumped. WelderShane had this same torch and did not have this issue.My gas fitting on the inside of the torch also leaked, and the gas hose was split near the fitting. I shortened the hose about 3" and put teflon tape on the fitting, which solved that issue. I seem to remember WelderShane saying something about his torch leaking from the handle, but don't hold me to that.I could have just received a bad torch. Your luck with their different style torches might be better. If I had to buy a nutec torch again, I would get one without the valve.I seem to remember arczone selling CK torches pretty cheap... not as cheap as nutec though.I had a friend tell me he used to find real nice torches all over ebay for pennies. Not sure if that's true, I've never looked.
Reply:I didnt have the issue with the gas knob on the torch, BUT the copper threaded fitting inside the torch where the gas hose barb connected always leaked around there. My gas hose always developed tiny pinholes in it from the sharp edges of the copper rubbing against it. Also the threaded copper connector that screws into the brass fitting on the tig torch was stripped. Someone (not me) over tightend it and messed up the copper threads at the factory. I contacted nu tek about this and they gave me the part number and said i would have to order it from weldingdirect.com (same place i got the torch from) because they said its their only online dealer. Well they have a $50.00 min. order, so i was not gonna spend $50.00 for a 5 dollar part. I just ended up cleaning up the copper therads and it all worked and was nice and snug. They also told me NOT to use teflon tape on the torch fittings just some loc-tite. Other then this problem it was fine, but i swear every couple days of heavy welding it would start to leak again by devloping a pin hole from it rubbign against the copper fitting. Its a bad desgned torch imo. Other then that it was fine.ShaneYa gotta spend money to make money!
Reply:Shane that reminds me. I also took a dremel to the sharp edges on the copper, and this solved the issue of my hose developing leaks a few days after I fixed it.
Reply:Originally Posted by TaidenShane that reminds me. I also took a dremel to the sharp edges on the copper, and this solved the issue of my hose developing leaks a few days after I fixed it.