Thermal Arc / Weldcraft torch problem

admin

Hey guys-I picked up some gas lenses today for the weldcraft 17 torch assembly (my Thermal Arc torch says CK17 on the side) and some new cups -- but they don't fit together right. Here's a picture of it screwed together as far as it goes:Obviously this would be a dangerous setup so I'm not about to try welding with it. Do I need to buy a new white "insulator" piece that's longer? Or do I have the wrong gas lenses for this particular torch ?Looking at the inside diameter at the top of the ceramic cup, it wouldn't fit over the white ring if it screwed up far enough anyways..Last edited by turboguy; 08-15-2008 at 10:34 PM.
Reply:I just found the invoice. The gas lens part numbers I bought were RTP-45V26 (3/32") and RTP-45V25 (1/16").The cups I bought were RTP-54N15, N16, and N17. Perhaps there are longer ones available ?
Reply:I think I solved my own problem here. I found an exploded view of both the CK and weldcraft torches and noticed a larger "gas lens insulator" that gets inserted between the cup and torch body NOW-  I also noticed there are gas lenses and LARGE gas lenses. What benefits does a large lens offer over the normal sized one? Most of my welding will be on 1/8" material or thinner. In fact, most will likely be on 0.060" aluminum.
Reply:Weldcraft WP17 part #sLooks like you're on the right lines with 'incorrect insulator'You won't need large gas lenses for the kind of work you're proposing- they provide better shielding, require increased gas flows and while they allow more tungsten stickout because they are HUGE access to tight spots isn't really improved. This is a large gas lens with a 3/4" cup on a WP20 torch- that's a 1/16" tungsten just peeking out,... Attached Images
Reply:Could be your ceramic is on backwards.
Reply:It's meant to be used in conjunction with the original insulator, not to replace it. Just stack the new part over the original like in the pic below. Don't feel bad, I couldn't figure it out at first either. It may not "look right", but that's how it was designed to work.Torch pictured is a ProFax 17F with a #6 lens. Attached Images
Reply:Problem solved I picked up Weldcraft part number 54N01 yesterday and it fills the gap between the 'standard' insulator and the larger gas-lens ceramic cup perfectly on my CK17 torch  No more excuses now.....time to get welding!